Location: Gunung Ledang, Johor
Event Category: Mountain Climbing
Another Mamenez's Mountain Climbing Series of the year took place at this Legendary Gunung Ledang, also known as Mount Ophir. Located in the Ledang District (Northwestern of Johore), Malaysia.
The summit is located between the border of Muar and Malacca. Standing at 1,276m (4,186ft), with a clear trail leading to the peak, the mountain is a popular destination among amateur climbers. Gunung Ledang is also the 64th highest mountain in Malaysia and arguably the most climbed mountain in the country. It is also ranked as 6th most difficult mountain.
Altogether, 28 of us, 16 climbers from Kuala Lumpur, which is Elmi and her group, 6 from Johore Bahru and together with my best friend, Adi and his group from Klang, 6 of them. 
Everyone of us started the journey to Tangkak as early as 1:30am. This is due to the instruction from the Gunung Ledang office that require all of us to be there by 7:00am for some registration and administration purposes. Im not really sure how is it look like the journey from Kuala Lumpur and Klang, but ours (from JB) was 'washed' by heavy rain, especially along the highway.
Although the weather was not really good, it does not down us from the excitement of the trip.
Yup, we arrived at the Entrance B around 4:00am and surprisingly, Elmi and her group from KL reached earlier. I guess their drivers are really good and keep on speeding. =)
Upon arrival at the Entrance B, there comes the funny part and a bit embarrassing moment I guess. By keeping on communication via 'sms' with Elmi and the last update we received was, "Elmi and the rest are already here at the Entrance B". And right after 15 minutes, we arrived at Entrance B as well. So, there was a group of people with 3 cars waiting at the Entrance, and I guess, that should be Elmi and her group, because the last 'message' I received was only 15 minutes ago. 
After settling with the camping stuff and registration, all of us start the day with of course, Breakfast! 
Followed by briefing at around 8:00am, it was conducted by Muazzam Syah, one of the officer at the Gunung Ledang office. Some people say he is cute! HUH! By the way, the briefing is more or less telling us the Do's and Dont's while climbing, trek condition, filling up declaration form and etc.
Without further due, here we go! Moving to Check Point 1, it started with climbing up the stairs and light hiking trek to the first check point.
Check Point 1: Bukit Semput
Check Point 2: Lagenda Trail
Moving up further, there is no more stairs, but the trek was a bit slippery due to raining season.
Although the weather was not really good, it does not down us from the excitement of the trip.
Yup, we arrived at the Entrance B around 4:00am and surprisingly, Elmi and her group from KL reached earlier. I guess their drivers are really good and keep on speeding. =)Upon arrival at the Entrance B, there comes the funny part and a bit embarrassing moment I guess. By keeping on communication via 'sms' with Elmi and the last update we received was, "Elmi and the rest are already here at the Entrance B". And right after 15 minutes, we arrived at Entrance B as well. So, there was a group of people with 3 cars waiting at the Entrance, and I guess, that should be Elmi and her group, because the last 'message' I received was only 15 minutes ago.
Anyway, confidently we stopped and approached them and in fact, they told us that there were from KL, (what a coincident). So its high chance that this is Elmi and her group. Shortly after, there was a security guard came and opened up the entrance bar, and without further delay we all drive in. *This embarrassing story to be continued later in Part 2*
Crossing the darkness night and unstable road, all of us passing through the palm oil, which is about 2 - 3 kilometres to reach the office. Along this way, here comes the part that I broke my car front bumper. Argghh.. I should have been driving a 4x4 Jeep rather than a Perdana V6!
After struggling with the darkness, broken bumper and unstable road condition, we finally arrived! Park the car at the public car park and proceed with the campsite.
Embarrassing Story: Part 2!
Shortly, while removing camping equipments from the car, I finally saw Elmi..but... she was not with the group that we approached at the Entrance B just now... and now I know that group is actually not Elmi's group. Coincidentally they are from KL! Anyway....
Shortly, while removing camping equipments from the car, I finally saw Elmi..but... she was not with the group that we approached at the Entrance B just now... and now I know that group is actually not Elmi's group. Coincidentally they are from KL! Anyway....
Move on next, is camping! More on this at our Outdoor Camping Series: Gunung Ledang the Legend post.
After settling with the camping stuff and registration, all of us start the day with of course, Breakfast! 
Followed by briefing at around 8:00am, it was conducted by Muazzam Syah, one of the officer at the Gunung Ledang office. Some people say he is cute! HUH! By the way, the briefing is more or less telling us the Do's and Dont's while climbing, trek condition, filling up declaration form and etc.
Without further due, here we go! Moving to Check Point 1, it started with climbing up the stairs and light hiking trek to the first check point.
Check Point 1: Bukit Semput
Check Point 2: Lagenda Trail
Moving up further, there is no more stairs, but the trek was a bit slippery due to raining season.Check Point 3: Batu Orkid
Check Point 4: Kolam Gajah
Check Point 5: Gua Kambing
Here starts the challenging part, whereby the rain is freely showering us and it absolutely freezing cold!
Check Point 6: Taman Bonsai
Moving further uphill, some of us started to feel the pain of cold, muscle ache and knee as well. The trek, equipped with 'KFC', Killing Fitness Centre is really adding on the 'fun' of climbing this mountain. By using ropes, it really help and most of us managed to pass through it. Altogether there are 8 check points including the summit, I managed to get all Check Point photos but missed out the Check Point 7: Bukit Botak as it was raining heavily that time. 
But after all, no matter how late and pain it is, most of us managed to reach the top and snap 2-3 photos over there.
Overall, by ranked as 6th most difficult mountain in Malaysia, it is a worth climbing here and in fact, you may get a certificate for RM10 per cert, to acknowledge that you have reached the top. 
Check Point 4: Kolam Gajah
Check Point 5: Gua Kambing
Here starts the challenging part, whereby the rain is freely showering us and it absolutely freezing cold!
Check Point 6: Taman Bonsai
Moving further uphill, some of us started to feel the pain of cold, muscle ache and knee as well. The trek, equipped with 'KFC', Killing Fitness Centre is really adding on the 'fun' of climbing this mountain. By using ropes, it really help and most of us managed to pass through it. Altogether there are 8 check points including the summit, I managed to get all Check Point photos but missed out the Check Point 7: Bukit Botak as it was raining heavily that time. For those who were caught in the cold rain, fighting with muscle ache and etc, it slowing down their journey to the top. And for those who are well-fit, reach the top much earlier than the rest.
But after all, no matter how late and pain it is, most of us managed to reach the top and snap 2-3 photos over there. As it still raining with no mercy, we decided to start out journey downhill earlier, and by using another route down, it is not as challenging as the route to the top.
We arrived at the campsite approximately 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Overall, by ranked as 6th most difficult mountain in Malaysia, it is a worth climbing here and in fact, you may get a certificate for RM10 per cert, to acknowledge that you have reached the top. We all, did enjoyed climbing it very much. and will definitely come back. And next time, we will choose to camping on the mountain itself, video-ing the sunset and enjoying the sunrise, and of course not in the raining season.
