CATCHING MY BREATH AT BROGA HILL 2013 - REVISITED

The Beauty of Bunga Lalang at Broga Hill... Fuhhh...

Hello there fellow readers and followers, my brothers and sisters of Runninghood... Since the Chap Ayam Relay Fun Run has been posponed due to the hassle from the infamous HKR112 event being held a day before, it was very disappointing news to me for not being able to kick start my 2013 with a prestigious running event. So I'll have to wait for this coming event, the notorious Dragon Back Run 2013 with my ultimate mission to slay the Dragon... Grrrrr... =D

Broga Hill, 1.7km only with 400m height from sea level.  Cukup berpeluh gak! 

In the meantime, I would like to share with all of you on my not so recent active outdoor activity. I've joined my Institute's sports and social club for a Broga Hill Sunrise Hike 2013 last Saturday, 5th January 2013. It was my second time hiking up the Broga Hill, which is located in Semenyih, Selangor. However, during my first time, I could only managed to reach the 3rd peak only because it was almost 11.30am and it was getting blazing hot yet windy up there.

My KSSM Hiking Red T-Shirt...  Too big for me to wear... Buat baju tido jela nampak gayanya...

A huge number of 65 participants took part on this expedition during that lovely Saturday dawn. Me and my hiking friends, including Rashid the Speedster not a Spinster LOL, Abu Bac, Hazrul and Izwan took a ride on our Institute's bus around 3.30am.  The convoy was also consisted of 7 other cars. I was sooo sleepy due to some sleep deprived but somehow I could not rest my eyes during the journey. Excited much I guessed. 

Still dark at the 3rd Peak, camwhoring la dulu...  Sila abaikan bulu dadaku yer... LOL!!! 

We reached the hiking site around 4.15am. It was my first time to hike Broga Hill in these wee hours and in darkness. Luckily Rashid was generous enough to lend his Energizer headlight to me as it was still pitch black. We were expecting a wet, slippery and muddy hiking route as it was downpour raining the previous evening. However the route was dry and just nice for us the MARDI Sunrise Hikers. I was wearing my Asics Enduro trail shoes during that hike. Finally my Enduro were put to a test again after the horrendous muddy Salomon X-Trail 2012... Hohoho... 

At the 3rd Peak, while waiting for the rest of the hiking team, we managed to take some breather and strike some poses even in the dark. Thanks to the wonder of flash camera... LOL... Hydration was a must during hiking. There were many other hikers who were already relaxing here too, mostly teenages. 

Gelap pon gelap la labuuu, janji dapat bergambar... Muahahaaa... XD

So after a while, we continued our hike. The route was getting more challenging, especially the rocky surface towards the fourth peak aka final summit. I was having a little bit problem with the rope as my arms were not strong enough to pull myself up. (Note to myself: must do more upper body workout once a while ;D) . Mujoqla xketaq lutut time tuh... Must maintain my coolness... steady2... Badan pun berat lagik nih... T..T 

Yayyy.. We made it at last... Still waiting for the sunrise.... Sighed

Thank goodness we reached the summit safely around 6am, I guessed so. Had our "lost" moments in the woods in the search for an open space for some of us to perform our Subuh prayer. We were already heading towards Gunung Tok Wan when they suddenly realized and decided to head back to the summit. Jungle trekking in a group was so much fun and exciting. Guessed I really love hiking in nature very much... =D

Breaking dawn moment.... Too bad the weather was cloudy and windy too... Kempunan cheq! =(

Around 7am, there was no sign of sunrise moment being witnessed as the weather was very cloudy due to the rainy evening the previous day. Most of us, especially the photographers felt disappointed the most. However, it was very windy and we really enjoyed the breathtaking view from the top. 

Saya berjuyaa... Yayyy.... ;D

It was time for all us to camwhore and took as many group pictures as we would like. The organizer also took this opportunity to celebrate some of the participants' birthday (December and January Babies) on the top of Broga Hill. It was a moment to cherish, most definitely. 

Happy Birthday To Uolls!!! (Me and Rashid luv to enterframe their pics... LOL!!!)

Yayyy.. Victory At Last.... MARDI Boleh! Yeahhh.... 

Bro Bac, Yours Truly, Izwan and Rashid... Awesome background view...

Kaki sakit pun tetap wajib pose lompat kegirangan di puncak yer... LOL!

Berjaya juga akhirnya... =D

Although my legs were tired but still must give a strong pose... LOL!

After savouring our sweet moments at the Broga summit, we walked our way down through another less rocky route. Thank God! I swore to myself that this would me last Broga Hill trip ever... Hehee... The weather was really soothing and view started getting more vivid. I could see the whole Semenyih valley from afar. More photoshoots at the 3rd Peak. Super excited to be able to go for a hike with my friends, tidur xcukup rasa penat pon hilang bila lepak huha2 atas sana berjemaah LOL... =D

The organizer posed at the 2nd Peak 

Meditating myself at the 3rd summit... Felt at ease... =D

Once everything settled, we continued our hiking downwards, Rashid and I decided to run ourselves down after the steep 2nd peak route, just wanna kill 2 birds with one stone. More like a descending trail running training for us on our way home. It was full with an adrenaline rush workouts nonetheless. Jantung pon rasa nak tercabot dah by the time we reached the starting venue. Rashid bought a refreshing coconut drink for a recovery drink for us. Totally a heaven sent... =D Yayyy....

Cheeky moments captured at Broga Hill.... LUV it!!!

After cooling down a bit, it's time for the participation cert giving ceremony by our otai, Mr Aizat (not me!, another Aizat). It was almost 10am by that time. My hunger pang strike fiercely. So the organizer decided to have a group breakfast at the Mamak restaurant nearby. I had this Puri (not bad la... crunchy and yummy curry... buat alas perut... hehee). 

Had puri (more looked like Puru) for late breakfast

So that's pretty much my hiking report. We did had lots of fun and sweaty experiences along the way up and down Broga Hill. Would looking forward to hike Gunung Nuang, Gunung Datuk and Bukit Tabur perhaps someday for my preparation for TMBT 50KM 2013... Super cuak nih... Plus, I do need a new trail running shoes too. Skechers GO Trail perhaps? But must wait for my budget la kan... hehee....

That's all folks. Stay tuned for more of my race review for this coming Dragon Back Run 2013... Wish me luck and survive this ordeals too yaaa! Cheers... 

Nice number... Hopefully I'll survived this and got PB as well? Huhuu...