My Recent Adventure at Bukit Putih

My good friends Ah Lim (surname Ah) & Kue Lin invited me for a hike up Bkt Putih (i think that is what its called) 2 weeks ago and I gladly obliged, thinking of it as a good challenge and a fitness benchmark for myself. I've tried walking on 15% gradient for 1.5km on the treadmill twice the week before I ascended the hill and I managed to do it without too much fuss, so I reckon I was ready for this challenge.

We started out at around 7:45am and the weather was perfect that morning. I was briefed that there is 6 Levels on this hill and the trail will branch at Level 5, with one way leading to Level 6 and the other leading to the waterfall. We managed to reach Level 2 before we took a rest. Both the guys weren't in their best form that morning and urged me go on while they take their time to ascend to Level 5. I managed to get to Level 3 where most people stop and go round to descend the hill. By the time I hit Level 4, there was literally only a handful of people on the trail.
As usual, you'll find ants and other insects in fallen trees, which is aplenty along the way up.

It was hard work getting up to Level 5, I almost gave up along the way.

Once you reach Level 5, there will be a road on the right leading to a waterfall which according to this sign is only 30 minutes away. According to regular hikers, it could take up to 1 hour to reach for first timer and the track is tough.

The height as Level 5 was 1215 feet. I waited for the guys at Level 5.On the left will be the trail to Level 6, which is supposedly "The Peak". But when we arrived there, we saw a signboard that pointed us to another hill, Saga hill which was approximately 28 minutes away. We decided to try it out.

After exactly 28 minutes, we reach this sign and saw alot of folks there exercising. Whole families hiked up the hill together. It looked like a planned gathering. It was almost 10:30 when we reach Saga hill top.

We found this mysterious sign enroute to Saga Hill. Just goes to show that there is no escape from politics :) An this staunch supporter can't help but gives a thumbs up.

Drenched in sweat and tired, we tried to muster a smile during photo time. By then, our legs were getting tired and we dreaded the descent as it will stress the already over-worked calves.By the time we descended the hill and returned to civilization, it was already 12pm. We drove over to reward ourselves with some dim sum in Cheras before heading home with a wide grin and satisfaction deep down. Little did I know that the following 2 days I will experience a strange tinggling sensation on my calf that will prevent me from doing the following things :-

1) Walk properly

2) Walk down a flight of stairs

3) Communicate effectively, as I spent half the time groaning in pain with each step I took

Basically my life grinded to a halt and I rested for 2 days before I was back to normal. But it has not deterred me from conquering this hill again. I shall be back, hopefully before end of August as the schedule for the next couple of weekends are already occupied.