Rafting Trip on Slim River

Nov 21st. My first rafting experience! Sg. Slim aka Slim River.
Rapids! The first thought on my mind before embarking on a wet adventure, filled with spills and thrills. This trip was organized by our very outdoorish friend, David Jr. whom some of you might know from his blog (malaysia-asia) on holidays, outdoors and food!

Our adventure started with a rendezvous at the Rawang R&R for "hot" nasi lemak and teh tarik. When they said "hot"they really meant it! Not referring to the spicy-ness, but the piping hot little green packets going for RM1 each! The tantalizing sambal with coconut milk rice really kicks off a fun day with friends. Then, an hour's drive to Kg. Ulu Slim where the Hot Springs are located. We would be couriered into the Ulu Slim Forest Reserve toward our starting point on the river via 4WDs. Really fun ride slipping in the mud and experiencing mud terrain tires take on the terrain! Certainly will wake you up. You'd come across some Orang Asli Kids along the way, all eyes aglow spectating us "city folks".

The guides will dispatch essential safety gear i.e. helmets and life jackets to all rafters new and experience. A safety briefing will commence prior to assigning teams into the rafts, about 5-6 persons per raft. Teams are taught paddling techniques and certain manoeuvres on the raft. For e.g. "boom boom" means everyone much secure their paddles and crouch in steep drops and "jump jump" means everyone must bounce around to coax the rubber dinghy into moving out of obstacles and tight spots! Our guide's name was "Juice" an east-Malaysian from Sabah.

Generally, this river's difficulty level stars from Grade 1 to 3. Essentially:-

Grade 1: Very small rough areas, might require slight maneuvering.
(Skill Level: Very Basic)
Grade 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering.
(Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)
Grade 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger.
May require significant maneuvering
(Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)

(Read more about on wikipedia)

Soon, I realised that overturns and being flung out of the raft was a real possibility! On the arrival of the first drop (Grade 3, I reckon), we were briefed and was told that the moves involved everyone dropping down into the raft on cue from our guide. It was more like a subtle S-shaped dropped. We were the first raft to set course. On the way down, we rammed the rock and the apex of the "S" and that's where I got flung out of the raft!...losing my paddle at the same time. Somehow, instinct took over and as I fell, I managed to grab on to the raft's lifeline where my fellow rafters hauled me in. My eyes were closed most of the time, not because of fear, but to prevent my contact lenses from being flushed out!

We landed on the banks after a few yards from the drop to watch the other rafts try the same thing. The guides were really good at what they do, all standing on each side of the banks with rescue lines just in case!

The whole session took roughly 4 hours to complete the 1.5km route.

Nearing the end of the trip, Juice forewarned us that he would tip the raft over just for "the heck of it"...well, actually, since we hadn't experience a capsizing raft! So, about 150 yards from the termination point, he maneuvered the raft into a short fall and had us trapped in a vortex a bit. There, everyone was told to lean to one side and told to keep pulling at the lifeline to lift one end of the raft up! One two three! Everyone was in the water! The raft tipped over so fast I had no time to avoid the falling dinghy! The last thing I saw before I was in was a big green tube dropping on my face!

At the end, we made our way out of the water whilst watching the other raft being ditched! They had gotten stuck in between some rocks and there was just no way to get it unstuck but for a bailout!

After drying ourselves partially, we did lunch back at the village (which is provided in the package) near the Hot Springs before retiring for the day.

Through Storm Culverts and A Leech-Infested River

From left: Mike Tjoa, Me, Jennifer Lee, Asther Lau, Simon, Francis Tan and Adeline Lew

Saturday, 24.11.2007: Barely two weeks after trekking through the jungles in East Malaysia's Bako National Park in Sarawak, I found myself too eager to volunteer for another trek. This time, to Gombank, specifically, Sg. Pisang (Banana Falls), known for its famous leech infested waters and a path trough a giant storm drain. For most novice hikers, this would be a suitable trail to test out their mettle. For me, this would be the easiest one so far, compared to the Chilling Falls Trek in Kuala Kubu Baru and the Tajoh Falls in Bako, Sawarak.

Left to right: Mike ascertaining our route vie GPS whilst the others took it easy

and me with my trusty hiking pole...

How to get there:

• From PJ: Take the LDP (Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong) towards Batu Caves/ Kuantan (Middle Ring Road 2). Pass Batu Caves and keep left. Look for the road towards Sg. Pusu and International Islamic University, Gombak, on the way to Genting Highlands/ Karak. Just before toll booth, turn left. Once you clear the curve, keep left and just go straight all the way until you see a sign which reads Alang Sedayu. You will come to a narrow road which goes up to a pump station, at a dead end. Just park your car on the side and proceed to the river trail...that's Sg. Pisang

• Then, once you get into the water. The falls are located upstream, about 1 kilometer from the starting point, near the pump house.

• Just follow the water upstream and about 200 meters later, you'll be face to face with 2 huge storm drains, about 6 meters in diameter each. Go through them. The walk through the storm drain is about 100 meters (you can choose to wad through the water or take the easy way by the sides)
  

• Follow the trail and approximately 800 meters and you will hear the distinct sound of water crashing. Congratulations! You've found the falls! (the water is clean but not deep...but beware of leeches)

The falls are about 12 meters tall, with a small 'waddle pool' at the bottom, but the crashing of water produces one hell of a natural fan breeze. Stay at the bottom too long and you'd freeze. Bottom: We chanced upon several climbers who allowed us to try repelling down the falls.

When we reached the falls, we found a few climbers repelling down the falls. Jennifer was the first one to ask if she could try doing so. Followed by Simon, Mike and Adeline. Though prompted by Francis, I was in no hurry to test my skills at negotiating heights and absailing. For lunch, "sumptous" char siew pows and chicken pows.

Lunch!!!

After eating, Francis and I decided to let nature's way of providing a soothing message. All anyone had to do was stand below the crashing water... the thumping force was really good on our backs and shoulders, not mentioning I nearly let the water wash my shades away...

The dip was really refreshing and any wariness of leeches and other parasites were clearly distracted from our minds. Whilst the others took their turns to absail down the falls, I spent some time in the water, like a little kid, building my damn with river rocks and carving a perfect triangle from the river stones.

We spent a good plus before heading back to our cars...only to find out that a 'few lucky ones' had become an involuntary blood donor.


As everyone was changing, we heard Adeline sheepishly going... "Asther, I need help!" ...He he he....One of the nasty blood suckers did manage to get one of us after all. Solution, an amber cigarette and oxide spray applied after burning the sucker off. (It's ok la Adeline...at least you gave me a chance to get a live one on film) *grin*.

Actually, I got "bitten"too, on the left foot, between the 2nd & 3rd toes...but looked like the tiny sucker had dropped off before I could take a pic of it. (in fact, I didn't know I got sucked) Simon had got one on his shin too, but that was a tiny sucker (no pics, sorry).

For some reason, I was bushed, even though this trek was child's play. So, we went back to Francis' place where I found my cozy corner in his living room and crashed before dinner...

Later, my observant friends commented on my ability to sleep next to an open balcony with the sun on my face... now you know...me can sleep anywhere.