Kledang Challenge

28 April, 2007

Kledang Challenge 2007

The objective is just to complete this endurance compass race. The race starts at the foot hill of Gunung Kledang at Menglembu and finishes at Kg Bekor, Manong. We need to finish the race in 24 hours.

Pre Race

For starter, none of us knew how to use a compass to navigate. But organizer manages to give a crash course prior to the race. That night after lots of ucapan by the organizer and some briefing we were given a camping site to sleep. Anyway, we choose to sleep on the pavement at the stadium. I guess that is not a good idea, we don’t have much sleep that night and feel groggy in the morning. At 7.00am we were transported by lorry to the foothill and another set of ucapan from the politician ensue. I have decided that we will bring some essential item during the race, as we may have to sleep in the jungle that night. Some of the pro participant don’t even bring anything accept a backpack stored with water. I did not want to take that kind of risk as we are inexperience and at least we would have some equipment with us in case we are stranded.

The Race

The race started late almost at 9.00am. We were made to climb the Gunung Kledang using a road heading toward a telecommunication tower. I hate this kind of terrain and it is kind of boring. Along the way when I have a breather, I met an old man with his daughter having their routine climb. As he looks at me panting, he gave me these advice `jangan makan mcdonald dan minum coke, selalu training’ (chuckle). So the old man can do it, so can I. Nearing the top of the mountain, there’s a detour to the dense jungle, so the adventure begins.

I guess we are in the last group to reach the top. Our first turn is really a bad decision, we’re on a cliff and the terrain is very steep. At the end, I have decided to turn back and follow the path cleared by the other teams. The trail is confusing, the compass is confusing too, I started to doubt our ability to navigate through this. After a few hours we manage get out of the jungle to an old logging path. Tired and disoriented and at this point of time I fell down and hurt my ankle. Era tried to ease the pain by putting some deep heat cream on it but Ija swiftly took over (giggle).

After some rest, we move on to palm oil plantation estate. It is vast and we need to walk under the hot sun, correspondingly our temperature is going up and argument erupts. I have to apologize to others to cool things down. To make matter worse Era turns into her favorite mode, that is the zombie mode, Ija pants tore at her backside and needs a change, As is in no mood to joke and there is not a single person or animals sighted.

We walk and walk and walk until we reach the end of the palm oil plantation and finally entered a rubber plantation where we found lots of mosquitoes. It is heartening to experience the daily hardship that a rubber tapper needs to endure. To my relief, after an hour or so we reach a tarred road and met some orang asli on the way. They showed us the direction to the main road and our confidence restored. At last we finally bump into another team just in front of us. They are carrying heavy backpack and looks like a ninja turtle (chuckle). Ija started to taunt them `engkorang tak lari, kita potong’. To my surprise, they started to run. So we do too. After a short chase we manage to overtake them. At least we’re not last (laugh). Somewhere, at the end of the road we met Haji Johar (the organizer) and his assistance that took out a video cam to record our feat. We reached the finishing line after 10 hours of grueling trek. The team that we just beat is the warden from Jabatan Penjara. The woman in team is fuming mad as she is being duped to carry so much in their backpack as to justify the need to camp in the jungle. At the end of the day none of the teams needs to camp inside the jungle that night.

After the Race

Again we were given a site to camp at a school compound at Kg Bekor. After one sleepless night at the stadium and a grueling race, I have decided to call Yop to pick us up. He obliged and while waiting, I took the time to have dinner at the school canteen and what do you know, my favorite dishes the Gulai Tempoyak is being served. We have a good sleep that night at Yop house in Ipoh, the girls really appreciates it. In the morning, after a sumptuous breakfast of roti canai, Yop send us to the stadium to pick our car. Then, we’re headed back to Kg Bekor (singing) for the prize giving ceremony.

Conclude

What we have learned from this experience are: -
In a compass run, it is easier to follow the path of others instead of making your own.
Do not bring too much luggage (laugh).
Make sure your girl friends don’t touch you when you’re injured (grin).
Try not to get angry during a race.
Make sure that you’re fit or you will become a Zombie.
Do have a good night sleep prior to a race (we should rent a room!)
It’s good to have a relative like Yop!
Anyway, we certainly having fun and can’t wait to do this all over again (minus the argument of course).