Broga Hill in 2011 - Things Have Changed A Lot Over The Years

It is almost like a ritual now for me to hike up Broga Hill at least on an annual basis. I did write about how things have changed tremendously at Broga last year. This time around, our plan to climb Broga Hill was a last minute thing. It was something that has been brought our during my losing game of bowling. Hehe. Despite thinking that Bukit To'kun hike at Bukit Mertajam, Penang could possibly be the closing hike I would be doing this year, I was totally wrong about that. I'm game and all gear up to do more outdoor activities during this year ending holiday season.

So let's get talking about Broga Hill at least from how I see it last weekend.

What is new at Broga Hill now?

- I spotted a couple of make shift toilets hidden away at the corner of the oil palm parking lot and another one just at the beginning point of the hike

- There weren't a lot of people last week comparatively to the throng of human processions I've seen over the days. I'm blaming the holiday seasons so people are getting out of town.

- There are more food stalls and the usual Chinese aunty who sells her cold drinks is still there but she is sitting way up to the starting point which will be the first stall hikers will meet as they reached down from the hill. Business is getting really competitive these days at Broga Hill. hehe. Surprisingly there is also a burger stall. I was like WT* for a second there thinking that it is so out of place. People someone should note to them that people who are hikers are usually health conscious and we care about what goes down into our stomach. Burgers will mess up with our system dude!

- As for the track itself : it is the usual track. I was wearing someone else sport shoes and it does get a bit slippery on some trails. We didn't climb up the last point of the track too. It was rocky, with a bit of rope climbing and not to mention slippery because we were people watching and so quite a few slipped down and got them hanging on the ropes. But not to worry, it is fairly safe provided you have people around to give you a hand.

- I think quite a number of people were actually climbing up Gunung Tok Wan which starts at the highest point of Broga Hill. Yes, I was somewhat suggesting to my fellow hikers to do this Tok Wan hike last month but we didn't because the timing was all off. So yeah, I have enough reason to come back Broga Hill again next year so that I can finish up Tok Wan.

- The view has always been stunning at Broga Hill so I didn't bother to really pose and have a nice shot taken. I'm silly like that so silly is the only thing I know when it comes to posing for pictures. It's fun though and you should do it too!

There you go! The final report on the things that has changed at Broga Hill for 2011. I'm expecting things to 'develop' more at this place. I hope it's only  for the better. You still have this weekend and next week to hike up Broga Hill if you haven't already. Go there. Get hiking. Get sweating. It's really fun and hiking never gets old despite how many times you walk up the same trail.

What's new at Broga Hill this year?

We've been up Broga Hill for a couple of times last year with each trip being uniquely different from the previous one. By all means, 'we' represents myself and my equally adventurous partner,FF. If you have read my older post about my hiking trips on Broga Hill, I was proudly mentioning that

you can never turn down an invitation for a hike at Broga when the sole purpose of climbing is to capture images of the scenery and the climbers!

As far as I am concerned, that statement was so last year. It is because there have been a lot of changes going about in and around the hill. It is sad to say that the changes I have seen a couple of weeks back will draw me further out from making future hiking trips up this hill. Here are the reason why.

To begin with, every frequent hiker at this hill knows about the palm oil plantation parking lot. It used to be a free parking for all visitors but not this year. Either pay up a parking fee of RM 2 or decide to park else where like by the roadside which is right before entering the plantation. A lot of people resorted to parking by the roadside because of the parking fees and if you are a frequent hiker at Broga Hill, I find it just not worth the money simply to pay some fees for parking. Just not worth it.

More over, you get to see a couple of sign boards from the starting point of the hike right to the summit. Putting up sign boards of course is a good thing because it shows that the hill is properly taken care of. Well at least that is what we think.

[caption id="attachment_735" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="The grass started to grow green again despite being totally pitched black a couple of weeks black. Only the branches left blackened."][/caption]

Next, for the past couple of weeks, the hill for some unknown reason was badly burnt at the summit and the formerly green, tall grass turned into tall strands of blackened sticks and leaves. An aerial view of the hill shows that a good portion of the hill was badly burnt down. The only possible reason for the burnt I guess was because of the dry spell, the grass got all dried out and eventually burnt on its own due to the heat. That is what I think though.

Lastly, ever since the hill has been getting a lot of publicity thanks to television - I suppose it was the 8TV Quickie Show, weekenders varying from youngsters, students, families and hikers like myself throngs the hill like a tiny procession towards the top right from before sunset. The last thing I wanted was to brush shoulders with some bunch of strangers on some hill. Hill hiking suppose to be a fun-filled outdoor activity to be closer to nature, not closer to more people.

Therefore if you have yet to visit Broga Hill or have some thoughts of going over there this weekend and if you are an ardent hiker trying to explore new terrain at this hill, try going after my suggestions here:

1. Avoid early morning weekend hike because that is the peak hour time where many will flock the hill to view the sunrise. Come on you can have better sunrise view elsewhere where it is peaceful and serene.
2. Recommended timing for hiking will be around 8 am or later. You can also try evening hike or best do it on weekdays.
3. If you are thinking to save some bucks because if you are coming from KL or PJ area, it is a long drive to get here, thus it is best to park free by the roadside. Just watch out for the immediate left of the roadside right before the plantation entrance because the surface area there is slightly steep and not stable. You do not want to see your car toppled to the side at the end of your hike.

With that all said, FF and I figured that the hike we had at Broga Hill two weeks ago will be the first and the last at least for both of us this year. But come to think of it again, you'll just never know. We may make our return trip here but just not anytime too soon.

Hiking up Broga Hill, Semenyih

I'm proud to announce that I've hiked or climbed up this Broga Hill for the third consecutive times now! YAY! I figured that on the second climb that would be the last of Broga for me, but what the heck, who could turn down another invitation of Broga  when the sole purpose of climbing is to capture images of the scenery and the climbers! The 'cam-whoring' addition to the climb was good enough a reason for me to continue on the third Broga Hill hike of the year and I wonder if there is going to be more hike on this hill after this.