This was a super-overdue post since it was more than 2 years ago. However, good memories last, so i'm going to share the experience as a rookie hiker/trekker 😆.
The event started on 24th Oct 2018. We departed on a mid-night flight on 23rd Oct 2018 from T4, so we were at T4 by around 11pm on 22nd Oct. It was rather empty, however surprising peaceful.
First time flying out from T4 via Cathay Pacific, we checked-in our backpacks & head to the departure area. I would say this is a spacious departure for an open-concept Duty-Free stores concept . When i meant spacious, it is VERY spacious. I'm sure those that depart from T4 will understand when comparing it to T1 to T3 DFS areas.
We had a beer at the Tiger Den to kill some time after going around the DFS & did some touristy photo-taking.
Finally, time to board the flight. We walked towards our departure gates. The whole T4 landscaping was much more earthly & cosy feel elements. There are entertainment corners installed to past times for some that just wish to have an area to chill before flight.
From SG to HK, flying takes approximately 5 hours. We were served breakfast 2 hours before landing. In-flight meal consist of a sandwich, cut-fruits & a kit-kat bar. I had orange juice which comes in tetra packed type. I suppose it is more hygienic & easier to store in galley.
We landed at Hong Kong International airport around 06:00 hrs in the morning. As the registration for Fjallraven Classic only starts receiving participants registration after 15:00 hrs & it is not located on the main island but at Po Leung Kuk Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp which is located at Sai Kung area. We looked for empty seats & took few hours nap. After woke up, we still have some time left, so we took a short tour around the Harbour area while finding for food.
After all the food etc, we finally embark our final leg to Po Leung Kuk Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp via Train & Taxi. Finally after about another 2 hours +, we made it to the holiday camp. We did our registration & received a resuable trashbag (Blue colour), a trekking pass, some energy bars, 1x gas canister, 3 days worth of swedish freeze-dried food. 1st night was separated via Female & Male participants. Surprisingly my first night was shared with other fellow Singaporeans in a 8 person bunk. Took a quick shower & nap. I only met up with Vince when went for dinner & briefing in the evening.
During briefing, the global ambassador of the classic event brief us through the trekking route, fittings of backpack, campsites, using gas canister & using Grayl water filter bottle during the entire event. Most importantly, leave no trace. Referring to the route map, the map shows the difficulty & the type of terrain of total 48km the next 3 days. After briefing & back in the bunk, re-packing was done to fit all the freeze-dried food package for both of us as back then i was only carrying a 32L TNF backpack which was introduced in my earlier blogs. In my backpack consist of toiletries, sleeping gears, rain jacket, umbrella, a set of spare clothes & utensils. Vince carried a 2-men tent, an outdoor camping cooking pot & his own personal gears.
Day 1
Woke up at 04:30 hrs to wash up as some other folks took a longer time to use the common bathroom. Vince met up with me for breakfast & we head off to assemble to board the shuttle bus & head to Kei Ling Ha which is located off section 3 of Maclehose Trail.
To qualify completion of the classic event, all trekking pass needs to be stamped by the volunteer officials at various checkpoints & campsites. For start point, that's the 1st stamp in the pass (See 2nd image). As a rookie back then, i took a good 30mins to adapt myself to the terrain & pace as i always have an issue with sudden ascending which makes me felt breathless. We walked for a good 10km to reach the 1st checkpoint: Sham Chung Manor. Along the way, the view really does not disappoint & saw moos moos along the way too. It's a peaceful rural area with nice plain fields & mountains. Click the arrows on the right to view!
Vince started boiling water for the freeze dried-food. The freeze-dried food consist of pork, chicken & beef. Vegetarian options for vegetarians & folks whom are need consume halal. I picked Chicken Curry for my lunch & boy, it's so tasty! 1st day weather was rather kind as it was overcast. However, it was still humid so i decided to head to the local shops to get a can of Tsing Tao for him & Fanta orange for myself 😝
After resting for an hour, we took out our nendoroids to take a momento with the mountain as background.
We packed up our stuff & head-off to the next checkpoint which was another 6-7 Km away. Along the way, we saw several abandoned buildings & some old school type of communal graveyards which were placed in those traditional vats. Out of respect, no photo was taken when we passed by. The old & abandoned buildings reminded me of the TVB drama that i used to watched in the past, when bad guys kidnap a person, they will find places like these. I spotted a cutie black cat along the way too 😍
Soon enough, we reached the second checkpoint. After getting our chops on the trekking pass, we were provided fried-rice for a short refuel. It was near to 17:00 hrs. After 30 mins, we continued our last leg for the day to the campsite.
For another 2.5-3km to the campsite, my brain starts to feel tired after a long day of walking with a full-load, shoulders feels strained cos TNF backpack strap cushioning wasn't that padded & mountainous terrain. Vince pushed on & said we were reaching!
Lo & behold we finally reached Sai Kung West Country Park-Wan Tsai Campsite.
You know what's awesome? There are in fact roaming moo-moos grazing around the campsite. After unpack & set-up the tent, i proceed to toilets which have shower facilities. Water is cold but very comfortable to wash off a day of tired & soreness.
On my way back to the tent, i saw a calf resting, very adorable. We settled down with 2 fellow singapore participants to boil water & eat. We slept early after dinner as 2nd day was the longest distance & camping at a beach.
Day 1 clocked about 20km according to #Strava mapping. It ends peacefully.
Look out for the next post as i continue the 2nd day!
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