BUKIT TAKUN CLIMBING ROUTE INFORMATION
West Malaysia : Perlis : Padang Besar: Gua Kelam
Gua Kelam (Cave of Darkness)
Type of Climb: Sport Climbing
Type of Rock: Limestone
Range of difficulty: -5 - 7b+
Specific routes details :1. Dewi Kandi
grade 5 –18m –8 bolts
2. Pawana
grade 6a –12m –5 bolts
3. Serakah
grade 6b –12m –5 bolts
4. Seladang + Labi
grade 6a –12m –5 bolts
5. Mulakan
grade 6a –12m –5 bolts
6. Kantoi
grade 6a –14m –5 bolts
7. Jimrummy
grade 6a –13m –5 bolts
8. Ubi Karim
grade 6a+ –14m –5 bolts
9. Batu Berjuntai
grade 6a+ –13m –5 bolts
10. Sebarau
grade 6a –13m –5 bolts
11. Ekspresi
grade 6b+ –13m –5 bolts
12. Penyengat Batu
grade 6a+ –13m –5 bolts
1. Agot & Abot
grade 5c –20m –8 bolts
2. Egoism
grade 6a+ –20m –8 bolts
3. Rambang Mata
grade 6b –21m –8 bolts
4. Project Route
22m –9 bolts
Specific routes details :
1. Unsung Heroes
grade 6c–17m –7 bolts
2. Naked But Sacred
grade 6b+ –23m –12 bolts
3. Sentenced To Climb
grade 6c –20m –natural protection
Specific routes details :1. Project Route
41m –10 + 10 bolts
2. Ninja
grade 6b+ –45m –10 + 10 bolts
Specific routes details :
1. End OfDarkness
grade 7b+ –22m –10 bolts
2. Project Route
23m –10 bolts
3. Where’s PC
grade 6b –28m –8 + 6 bolts
4. Kerja Gila
grade 6b –28m – 8 + 6 bolts
5. Free From Association
grade 6b+ –30m –9 + 8 bolts
6. J.B. Iguana
grade 6a –22m –10 bolts
7. Lambat No…
grade 6a+ –23m –10 bolts
8. Uno
grade 6c –20m –10 bolts
9. Sijilorotelu
grade 6a+ –21m –9 bolts
1. End OfDarkness
grade 7b+ –22m –10 bolts
2. Project Route
23m –10 bolts
3. Where’s PC
grade 6b –28m –8 + 6 bolts
4. Kerja Gila
grade 6b –28m – 8 + 6 bolts
5. Free From Association
grade 6b+ –30m –9 + 8 bolts
6. J.B. Iguana
grade 6a –22m –10 bolts
7. Lambat No…
grade 6a+ –23m –10 bolts
8. Uno
grade 6c –20m –10 bolts
9. Sijilorotelu
grade 6a+ –21m –9 bolts
Specific routes details :1. Achtung
grade 6b+ –24m –10 bolts
2. Califoniacationg
2. Califoniacationg
grade 7a –22m –10 bolts
3. Project Route
23m –9 bolts
4. Romanian Trio
grade 6c/6c+ –20m –9bolts
5. Project Route
18m –8
6. Project Route
18m –8
3. Project Route
23m –9 bolts
4. Romanian Trio
grade 6c/6c+ –20m –9bolts
5. Project Route
18m –8
6. Project Route
18m –8
Arrival at the Cave
The first thing that electrified me always when I arrived at the cave of darkness, Gua Kelam is the picnickers enjoying themselves in the pool. I was feeling awe inspired as we approached the limestone hills of Gua Kelam. The ever greenish landscapes is a sight for sore eyes.
The cave has a history of its own, which is spelled out on a big concrete replica of a book at the entrance about the early settlers of Cave of Darkness. It stated that the immigrants from China or "Sinkhehs" settled in Perlis as early as 1850. Also it described the mining system used in Kaki Bukit during that era. Tin ore was in great demand due to the Industrial Revolution in Europe. It tells how the tin miners have to dig for tin ore in deep pit as deep as 500 to 600 feet in search for tin ore.
After going through the past history, we walked over to the counter to buy our tickets and continue our walk to the cave of darkness. An entrance fee of RM1 for adult and RM0.50 sen for kids was the fee. And we had a dollar off as Chandra was considered the tourist guide.
You can not called Gua Kelam a cave of darkness anymore as spotlights shines your path on the bridge. You don't need a torchlight or a cap too, while you walk and admire the once dark spooky or eerie cave.
You can see and feel the coolness of dripping waters from the stalagmites and stalactites. You can hear the underground streams gushing as if from nowhere. Nature's help of erosion can be seen on the smooth contoured wall.
Gua Kelam was formed in Setul Formation limestones, which are of Ordovician to Lower Devonian (500 to 370 Ma).
A sight of the cave tour are fossil Gastropodes in the limestone. The huge cave system is also famous for its huge rim stone pools.
Ladies are advised to wear proper shoes. You can't tip toe in your high heel in the caves. It does have an spooky effect of the past when you walk on the suspension bridge.
Having read the past history, I could feel the presence of the miners who went deep down to the caves using dangerously frail ladders and ropes. It makes you wonder how they survived working in the dark, deep water caves, hours after hours.
A good friend who went cave climbing told me to look deep into the caves, you can actually see some mining equipment left untouched.
And as he walked on the ground of the old mining area, he saw drawings and Chinese characters writing on the cave wall down below.
Gua Kelam offers an adventurous historical journey to a world of darkness where old rail tracks to carry tin-rich alluvium still exist. Remnants from the last fifty years are left intact in this cave. I have to stop my imagination working as I walked the three stories high caves.
By Bus
From Kuala Lumpur, get a ticket from Pudu Raya or Jalan Duta bus terminal. These buses will stop at the Express Bus Station on Jalan Bukit Lagi in Kangar. From there, you can take a taxi or the HBR Express Bus to Kaki Bukit.
By Boat
From Pulau Langkawi use the ferry boats to Kuala Perlis. A 45 mins one way boat ride is about RM15 per person.
By Plane
You can fly into Alor Star (in Kedah) and booked a taxi to Kangar. With taxi, it is approximately 45 mins ride.
By Car
Using the North-South Highway, you won't miss Kangar. Upon reaching Alor Star, using the Perlis/Langgar route out. Drive drive for another 40 km to the small town of Kaki Bukit where you can find the Cave of Darkness, also called Gua Kelam.
In Perlis, especially the northern part of Perlis (Since Perlis is not very big, northern and southern is not too far though), there are a lot of limestone hills. Those hills are good for rock climbing or just a short trekking. Beside the challenging trek or rock climb, the unique limestone structure also an attractive to the adventurers.
No comments:
Post a Comment