Gunung Datuk Night Hike - Sleeping Under A Million Stars

Gunung Datuk, or Mount Datuk, is a mountain in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan, with an elevation of 884m. About 100km from Kuala Lumpur and 50km from Melaka, it’s a popular one-day hiking destination for KL-ite and Malaccans due it is proximity from these cities.

There are several variations to the spelling of the mountain, where some sources spelled it as “Dato” or “Datok”, but since the recreation forest, in which it is located is called “Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk Rembau” and that was exactly what was imprinted on the sign, I’ll stick to “Datuk” as the official spelling.

My "guide" for the day

Apparently, the mountain is named after Dato’ (or Datuk) Perpatih Nan Sebatang, who introduced the “Adat Perpatih” system when Negeri Sembilan was ruled by the Minangkabau. Legend has it that Datuk Perpatih Nan Sebatang, had in 1372, used Mount Datuk as an assembly place to gather all leaders for the election of future Dato’ Lembaga (clan chief). There is also a footprint at the summit which was believed to be left by the legendary warrior, Hang Tuah, when he jumped from mountain to mountain.

To climb this mountain, one would need to pay RM5 per entry. Guide can also be hired, but not necessary since the trail is wide and clearly marked.

Getting there

Driving from Melaka takes only about an hour, whereas if you are travelling from KL, it’s only less than two hours when the traffic condition is good. If you are driving to the trailhead, the GPS coordinate is N2.54333 E102.16910.

I was going to a caving adventure at Gua Batu Maloi the following day, which is only about half an hour away from Mount Datuk. Sebastian, who was also joining Gua Batu Maloi, has suggested a hike up Mount Datuk, where we camp there for a night before joining the rest the next day. Since I have yet to climb Mount Datuk, and it meant saving on my accommodation cost, I decided to tag along.

The welcome sign at car park (Photo credit: Sebastian)

I took bus from Singapore to Melaka in the morning, and met up with Sebastian for lunch, before we drove to Rembau. Along the way, we stopped by McDonald’s to pack our dinner for the day. We reach Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk Rembau around 4.15pm, changed into our hiking attire and ready to start hiking straight away.

The journey up

From the car park, we descended a flight of stairs that goes down to a stream, where a small dam is. We cross the stream using the bridge and the jungle trail started after that. The ranger office is right around the corner from where the trail starts, but since the ranger wasn’t around at the time (and he was also not around when we descended at the wee hours the next day), we didn’t pay the RM5 entrance fees.

The first 10 mins of the terrain was rather gentle, but slowly the trail turns increasingly steeper for the next half an hour. But fret not, as there are ropes installed at certain stretch of the upward slope to assist climbers in the ascent. Though not a long journey, the trail is still considered rather taxing for beginners, but still not much of a problem for average hikers. More experienced hikers will enjoy the trail and appreciate the upward slope as a good (albeit a little short, distance wise) training ground. It had been a while since my last Chamah hike, and I myself was panting as I ascend. Oops, guess I’ve stopped exercising for way too long.

A checkpoint/clearing mid-way

There is a clearing mid-way and this would be a good place to rest, before continuing to climb towards the summit, which we did for about 5 minutes. The subsequent 20 minutes after that is less strenuous and relatively gentler. Along the way, there are yellow arrows and red and white tape marking the trail, making the trek pretty straight-forward with little chance to get lost.

First ladder at the campsite

There are several walls of boulders to climb over before reaching the peak. At the foot of the first (and short) boulder, is a wide clearing, where most hikers camp, which is wide enough to occupy 5-6 tents. There is a short metal ladder on the boulder for assistance, especially on rainy days (it could get slippery) but one can easily climbed over without stepping on the ladder.

Signboards

But no, this is not the peak

Right after that, you will see signboard hanging on the trees, but that is not the real summit. Around the corner of a huge red boulder in front, lies another “obstacle” to pass through. 

Turn left after this

And you will see this

It’s yet another boulder (one-storey high), a rather huge one and this time, you’ll need to rely on the metal ladders, in fact four of them – 2x2 metal ladders side side-by-side. I’d choose the left one since the right one seemed to shake a little too much, but even the one I chosen was rather shaky. Call me a scaredy-cat but my legs were literally “jelly” as I climbed up. As a safety precaution, hold onto the ladder at all times and be careful with the footwork.

Better safe than sorry. Better a coward than dead

Almost there

On top of the boulders, you will already be rewarded with some astonishing views. On a clear-weathered day, you could see even the Straits of Malacca without going to the peak, but there are still some tress which may construct part of the view.

View from the boulder

Straits of Melaka

Peak… finally!

The final “obstacle” to the peak is a two-storey high boulder, again with metal ladders installed for assistance. This set of ladders are even shakier than the earlier ones, but rest assured that it is pretty much safe albeit the shakiness. I braced myself and climbed the ladder slowly, gently and cautiously, and finally reached the summit of Gunung Datuk.

The last set of ladders

Peak! 

It was 5.45pm and it took me only 1 hour and 15 minutes in total, even though I was going very slowly. So, don’t worry too much. It’s not that difficult and anyone fit could make it through.

No mountain is ever too high, no trouble is ever too difficult to overcome

Bird's eye view at the peak

The view of the Straits of Melaka at the peak is unobstructed, as there are no large trees or thick vegetation. Some called the view 360 degree, but I’ll say it’s about 270 degrees as a side of it was another mountain forest.

Waiting for sunset

Lying on the boulder, while feeling the cooling breeze

As it was almost 6pm in the evening, the weather on the top was just at the right temperature. Feeling great for not getting roasted under the hot sun, we took the liberty to enjoy the magnificent view while feeling the cooling breeze that “harassed” our face as we stood at over 2000ft high.

Silhouette

Having ample of time to spend before sunset, I set my phone on timelapse mode and had it captured the sunset, as I did not bring my camera with me. Sebastian did the same with his Gopro. There’s no photo of sunset that day, only a timelapse video.

Sleeping under a million stars

As the sun fully set and darkness took over the sky, we sat down on the boulder and had our McChicken for dinner. Fast food on the mountain? Haha, that’s my first time doing so. The burger was cold and the fries were soggy, but when you were that hungry, you gobbled up everything in no time.

Dinner was McChicken

Although we were to camp for the night, we didn’t set up a tent. Instead, we decided to sleep on the flat boulder, with only our sleeping bags. I was hoping to get some good night sleep after days of sleep deprivation, but we ended up chatting the whole night under the stars.

Two talkative souls = non-stop chatter for hours

The sky was extremely beautiful that night, but I didn’t bring my camera along so there’s no photos of milky way. Ughhh… why didn’t I bring my camera?!

By the time we were tired and sleepy, it was almost 2am, and we tucked ourselves into our respective sleeping bags, zipping them up all the way, and wrapping ourselves completely in them like cocoons. The wind was strong that night, and though I didn’t get blown away, the chill got through the sleeping bag and I was literally shivering whole night, even with my down jacket and windbreaker on. Uh huh! Now I finally know how it felt like for those who sleep on fly ground instead of a tent.

After sunset, before the sky turned completely dark (Photo credit: Sebastian)

Not only that it was freezing, the howling sound of the wind was quite spooky, I don’t think I could muster up the courage to sleep there alone, ever. Nonetheless, getting some rest no matter how inadequate is a must, since I would need the energy for caving the next day. And soon, I fell asleep albeit waking up every now and then.

Descending before dawn

With less than four hours of sleep, we woke up at 5 in the morning, quickly packed our bags and got ready to descend. It was 5.15am by the time we made our way down in the dark. With my headlights on, I descended cautiously, fearing to fall on my way down since I’m still not used to hiking in the dark. But it was a piece of cake for Sebastian who is used to night hike.

As we make our way down, we passed by several groups of hikers who were climbing up to the peak for sunrise. By the look on their face, they were certainly confused as to why we were coming down at that hour. Most of them just quietly passed through after exchanging greetings, but a few curious ones did pop the question.

“Are you guys leaving? So soon?”

“We were here since yesterday”

That was our simplest answer to brush through the topic. Why bother explaining that we would need to be at Gua Batu Maloi at 8am and that we couldn’t stay till sunrise, right?

Goodbye Datuk!

The descent was hard on my knees as I struggled to keep myself at a consistent pace. It’s also hard to steady myself with the slippery Kampung Adidas I was wearing, so each step down was taken with extra caution. Thank goodness it was a short trail after all, and by 6am, we reached trailhead, all safe and sound. With two hours to spare, we drove off for breakfast, before heading off to our next destination --- Gua Batu Maloi.

Epilogue

Gunung Datuk has been in my hiking bucket list when I first stumbled across some lists of “must hike mountains in Malaysia” circulated on the internet a long time ago. Due to its proximity to KL, it’s a popular day hike destination, since the entire hike can be done in half a day. Some would probably choose to come before dawn for a sunrise view, and descend before it gets too hot in the afternoon. Except for those who were to camp here, the mountain is quiet in the afternoon as it gets pretty hot at the peak since there are no trees to take shelter from.

Tired face

Therefore, it was indeed an unexpected trip for me to be doing a night hike instead of a day hike. And sleeping in the open with just my sleeping bag, bracing the strong cold breeze? That’s something I wouldn’t otherwise done myself if not accompanied by Sebastian. I did catch a cold the next day, but it was an enjoyable experience.

I may not do that again for fear of getting sick, and not to mention that it was almost impossible to get a good night’s sleep, but I do miss sleeping under a million stars. Maybe in a tent next time, would be a much better idea?

Doing crazy shit is far more worth living than being dull

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for reading all the way till the end. Here’s a summary I’ve drafted up for you. Hope it helps you with your planning.

Itinerary:

**Disclaimer: Below is my timing according to my speed. So please take it with a grain of salt, as everyone is different. Have fun climbing Gunung Datuk. *wink*

(Over)Night Hike (1/7/2017 till 2/7/2017)

Total distance hiked: approximately 11-12km

1515 - depart from Melaka

1615 - reached Hutan Lipur Gunung Datuk

1630 - start hiking

1745 - reach peak, wait for sunset

1910 - sunset

2030 - dinner, star-gazing

0145 - sleep

0500 - wake up, pack

0515 - descend from peak

0600 - reach trailhead, leave for breakfast and next destination

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-Thanks for reading-