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Kampung Pictures Tale in Ten The quartz spine of KL
The quartz spine of KL PDF Print E-mail
Written by straits-mongrel   
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 01:05

tabur1-yck

It forms the northern edge of the Klang Valley, a crisp quartz line that marks the flatlands and the ascension towards Genting Highlands in the state of Pahang. Behind it lies the Klang Gates Dam, a reservoir feeding water to thousands of homes in the valley.


Seen clearly from the MRR2 highway, Bukit Tabur (also known as Bukit Hangus to the locals) lays claim to being the world's longest quartz-rich ridge. The main access points to the trail is at the Klang Gates in Taman Melawati.

 

Bukit Tabur is a popular spot for hikers and rock-climbers. It isn't tall - averaging 200 metres in height - but it's steep, craggy and it runs for 16km (if you're so inclined to cover the entire length). There's the west side, which is easier on the limbs and muscles, and the east side which is more challenging.

 

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The rewards, if you choose to scale this hill, is worth the litres of sweat and Tiger Balm thereafter. One gets spectacular views of the KL cityscape, and at the appropriate time ('round about 7.30am) the early mists cast an ephemeral quality to a landscape about wake up.

 

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And on the other side, views of, umm..., progress against the more verdant Taman Melawati neighborhoods.

 


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Certain points along the otherwise single-file trail offer vantage views of the dragonesque ridge somewhat like the spine of a prehistoric creature plowing its way into the earth. The Klang Gates reservoir is in the background left of the picture.

 

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Photography enthusiasts typically get carried away on such trails. After all, one has to justify carrying all that gear :)

 

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Here's a curiosity for first-timers. In the middle of the hike, just smack between giving up and moving forward, a friendly canine visitor appears. It seems healthy, has great fur, even has a collar. But what is it doing in a place like this? And how?

 

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Little creatures abound, too. Like this spider poised on its webbed halo, waiting for whatever breakfast brings. Photos, photos, photos... and before you know it....

 

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...the poses soon get a little too far. For posterity, it seems. Whatever.

 

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After some time (two to four hours, depending on your fitness and dexterity), you notice the descent. There is more moisture, you step on earth instead of shimmering rock, the trees grow taller. Fluffy moss beds begin to greet you.


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And perhaps none too soon, you reach trail's end. Drenched, leg muscles numb, you lie down on whatever provides for a decent flat surface. Fifteen minutes, please; that will do. The tropical sun is biting now. And you dream of being submerged in that big, fat aqueous pool just behind the dragon's spine, the Klang Gates reservoir.



More information on Bukit Tabur and its trails can be found here and here.



Pictures 1, 2 and 7 / Yeo Chin Kiang

Other pictures / Suatu Ketika

Comments
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Jaclyn |2009-09-23 15:03:23
Nice shots...never discovered there is such nice places in Malaysia! May be I should have more trip to visit some places in M'sia. Starting to admire the beauty of M'sia...
Nanda |2009-09-23 15:55:34
Nice shots. Spidey and Shot 8 are cool
Mil x |2009-09-23 16:21:05
That's so near to my place.. such a great place! Must go there soon... Thx!
sanjiun |2009-09-24 12:24:39
cool spidey...
:D

:D

Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 September 2009 14:48
 

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