Mount Tahan

Mount Tahan (Malay: Gunung Tahan), is the highest point in Peninsular Malaysia with an elevation of 7,175 ft (2,187 m) above sea level,^[2] on the border between the states of Pahang and Kelantan, with the peak lying on the Pahangite side. It is part of the Taman Negara that straddles Jerantut District in Pahang, Gua Musang District in Kelantan and Hulu Terengganu District in Terengganu. The mountain is part of the Tahan Range in the Tenasserim Hills and is popular with local climbers.

Mount Tahan
Gunung Tahan ڬونوڠ تاهن
Highest point
Elevation	2,187 m (7,175 ft)[1]
Prominence	2,140 m (7,020 ft)[1]
Listing	Ultra Ribu
Coordinates	4°37′57″N 102°14′03″E[1]
Naming
Native name	Gunung Tahan (Malay)
Geography
Mount Tahan Malaysia
Location	Taman Negara Jerantut District, Pahang Gua Musang District, Kelantan
Parent range	Tahan Range

Gunung Tahan is considered by many to be one of the toughest treks in Peninsular Malaysia.

Names

The word tahan in Malay means "forbidden", there is a folktale of the mountain being guarded by two humongous apes because it has two magical wells which can give anyone powers of changing any other object into gold and silver.^[3]: 2

It is also known by the name of Gunung Rotan ("rattan mountain") or Gunung Ulu Tanum ("source mountain of the Tanum River") in the west; the Kelantanese call it Gunung Siam ("Siam Mountain").^[3]: 2

Trails

There are three trails to the summit, commonly referred to as:

• Kuala Tahan-Kuala Tahan
• Merapoh-Kuala Tahan or Kuala Tahan-Merapoh
• Merapoh-Merapoh

The Kuala Tahan classic trail is the oldest and most scenic trail. A return trip on this trail typically takes seven days. Climbers have to trek across undulating ridges and make several river crossings before finally reaching the foot of the mountain to make the final ascent. Climbers without adequate physical fitness or training are not advised to attempt Gunung Tahan.

The other two trails are from Merapoh (Sungai Relau). The Merapoh-Merapoh trail is significantly shorter than the other two. A return trip on the Merapoh trail takes 3–4 days. A traverse from Kuala Tahan to Merapoh (or the other way around) takes around 5 days.

Temperature

Mount Tahan can be very cold at night. Temperatures can range from 4 °C to 18 °C between December and January, and 7 °C to 27 °C between June and September. Frost can sometimes appear at the summit.

1905 Expedition by Federated Malay States Museums

In 1905, the director of the Federated Malay States Museums, Leonard Wray Jnr, and Selangor Museum curator Herbert Robinson led a museum collecting expedition to Gunung Tahan.^[4]

The expedition involved sixty-five men and lasted five months.^[5] Dato’ To Muntri Idin and Penghulu Panglima Kakap Husin laid the groundwork before the main party arrived.^[6][7] On July 15, Bulang, Che Nik, Mat Aris, Mu’min and Robinson were the first to reach the summit^[4].

• 
  Pulling boats up the rapids in the Tahan river during the 1905 museum expedition to Gunung Tahan.
• 
  Gunung Tahan from sixth camp during the 1905 museum expedition to Gunung Tahan.

• 
  Bar-throated minla collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.
• 
  Snowy-browed flycatcher collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.
• 
  Red-billed malkoha collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.

Hikers Gallery

• 
  Hikers fording near Kuala Juram
• 
  Sunset near Kem Botak
• 
  View at dawn near Kem Botak
• 
  Unnamed lesser peak, viewed from Kem Botak
• 
  Wooden signboard at the peak. The roof has been torn off due to severe weather in recent years
• 
  Lembah Teku, above Kem Gedung
• 
  Kem Gedung
• 
  Steep descent via a series of metal ladders at Gunung Tangga Lima Belas
• 
  Usnea near the peak
• 
  Orchids near the peak
• 
  Rafflesia near Wray's Camp

See also

• List of mountains in Malaysia
• List of Southeast Asian mountains
• List of Ultras of Southeast Asia