Hike to Klang Gates Quartz Ridge - Malaysia's Longest Rock Ridge

I found a great website for Kuala Lumpur (KL) - Nature Escapes. They have things to do within 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours of KL. So, I thought it would be a good idea for Van and I to try out one of the closer hikes for fun and exercise. Van hates the fact that I have an affinity for steep hikes. He can just about guarantee that if I find a hike it's going to be some sort of test in human endurance (not to mention the knees). Boy, were we in for a treat!

For those of you who have never been hiking in the jungle, it's an experience. Not only are the sounds different, the fact that it's 90 degrees with 87% humidity, lends a whole new perspective to perspiration. My Mom always said that women perspire, animals sweat. Let me tell you, there was no dainty lady-like perspiring on this hike, I was sweating like a man! It was running down my face, back, chest, legs, arms...everywhere! When Van and I were done, we looked like we'd taken a dip in the pool our clothes were so wet.

The hike was up to the top of the ridge line which you see in the below photo. It wasn't a stroll. The website says it's "a bit of a scramble." The trail was rutty, muddy, slippery, rocky, root encrusted, almost vertical in spots, and had head clearance for the average Asian. Naturally, Van hit his head a couple of times on low branches only because you had to stay focused on where you were putting your feet. Several times we almost turned back, but we talked each other along and made it to the top. The big draw was the view of KL from the top of the ridge.
Here is the beginning of the hike. We ended up on the top of the ridge you can see through the trees to the right. The last part of the hike went through a gully between the two peaks. That's where we seriously considered turning around.

Here is the view of the Petronas Twin Towers from part of the way up. It was amazing to be surrounded by jungle and see a city through the trees.

Here's Van about two-thirds of the way up. Notice the sweat slick hair. I'm surprised he was smiling!

For those of you who hike, you'll know that the flora and fauna changes as you increase in altitude. There are just some plants that don't grow higher, that flourish at lower levels. At the ridge top, there was this beautiful carpet of green moss that was no where else on the hike.

Here is a view of the ridge line looking towards the east. Van was wondering when I wanted to go to the top of the peak in the photo. I told him no time soon. I think he was relieved!This is the reason for making it to the top. The panoramic vistas of KL. You can see the Twin Towers and the KL Tower to their right. It was really great to get an overview of the city.

One of the happy hikers at the top pausing to put on more mosquito repellent and drinking the last of our water.

Here's the view to the north of KL. It's amazing how many hills there are. You really don't realize that when you are downtown looking at the sides of sky scrapers.

The website says it's a challenging, enjoyable, and exhausting outdoor hike. We felt that was an accurate description. We stopped for more water at the first store we saw, cooled off in the pool for an hour, and then went to lunch. Would we go again. Absolutely not. It's one of those do it once to say you've done it kind of hikes.