Mount Tahan Expedition 1990

Written by: Selvin David A. PPT (1990)
Edited by: Chin Teck Kean (2007)

Preparation and planning for the Mount Tahan expedition started as early as June 1989. A working paper was prepared outlining the objectives, aims, preparations and budget. A lot of time and effort was put into the planning, training and preparations. Careful management of resources and good teamwork among the King Scouts helped make this expedition a great success.

Problems surfaced right from the start, many who signed up had to back out due to job offers, financial constrains and unforeseen accident. The following are the members of the Mount Tahan 1990 Expedition:

1. Selvin David A. (Coordinator & Expedition Leader)
2. Chin Teck Kean (Quartermaster & King Scout)
3. S. Sivalingam (First Aid/Life Saver & King Scout)
4. Wong Chee Seng (King Scout)
5. Chow Cheok Hong (Ex-Scout Troop Leader)
6. Kenji Kondo (KIEO University, Japan)
7. Atsushi Miyazaki (KIEO University, Japan)
8. Loke King Cheong (Exec. Yamaha Music Perak)
9. Chan Kian Teck (Teacher)
10. Lee Tuck Keen (Teacher)
11. Wong Kan Seng
12. Wong Kan Wai
13. Peter Tang

Throughout the expedition, we were blessed with good weather, smooth climb to the peak and back, good and qualified guide, friendship and hospitality extended by individuals in Pahang, safe journey and the well planned and coordination of the expedition. Many will live to testify the wonderful blessings received, the beautiful nature experienced, the beauty and nature of the national park, the endurance one had to bear in order to climb to the peak, and above all the satisfaction that comes from reaching the highest peak in West Peninsular Malaysia. The joy in reaching the peak and coming home safely makes us forget the pains one had to bear, the endurance and the discipline required in the jungle.

Having suffered, enduring the heat, humid conditions of the tropical forest and the cold of the mountains; one will never forget the Mount Tahan.

The Challenge of Mount Tahan

The difficulty of climbing Mount Tahan lies more in its remoteness from civilization than in the ascent itself. With all the ups and downs of a trail more than 50 kilometers long, climbing a total of about 3800 meters in order to scale a 2,187 meters mountain. En route we have to make several river crossings, sometimes hazardous and traverse long dry ridges requiring rationing of every last drop of water. On the Mount Tahan plateau, we experienced very cold weather conditions not found anywhere else on the peninsular outside a refrigerator. To content with on top of all this is the jungle’s intense humidity, its pestering insects, its torrential rains and the battle against leeches though this time around we did not experience any leeches.

Throughout preparations, proper equipments like haversack, shoes, mess tin, and water bottle; strong leadership, close teamwork and understanding, physical fitness and discipline and good management – all are important ingredients for the successful expedition to Mount Tahan.

The Mount Tahan region, of sandstone bedrock metamorphosed to quartzite around pure quartz intrusions, exhibits some of the most spectacular landforms in the Peninsular Malaysia. One can find undisturbed, such a diversity of habitats and plant communities. These range from the lowland dipterocarp forest and riverine vegetation, through the oaks and laurels of intermediate altitudes, up to the dwarf upper montane ericaceous vegetation with its several endemic species, in the summit region of Mount Tahan. Epiphytes, such as orchids and ferns, are numerous along Tahan river and the trail up to the Mount Tahan summit. Palm flora in the montane forest is extremely rich and includes the endemic palm LIVISTONIA TAHANENSIS.

The river water is tea color and is safe for drinking. But a water purifier is needed as a preventive step. The trail, of a footpath can be sometimes very dangerous if one is not careful with one’s steps.

Throughout this expedition, members have to forget about lunch in order to beat time. So most of the time it was a bar of chocolate, sweets and Nestea with glucose. Breakfast consist of either porridge or Nestum.

Here are some recommendations:

Rations – include ikan bilis, more rice, cili padi, onions, garlics, eggs and salted fist.
Equipments – have enough groundsheets and tents.

Teamwork – maximum of 4 in a ‘buddy system’ group.
If possible – avoid food at the Park HQ canteen (Extremely expensive).
Membership of the expedition – avoid outsiders, everyone should follow rules and the schedule as planned. No changes at the last minute.
More time give for photographs, relaxation, and enjoying of the nature.
Everyone must help in the equipments.
Training – include more climb up Keledang Hill to give more stamina.
Get more financial help.
Make expeditions a must for interested students especially those who want adventure.