July 29th 2005
The Batu Crew

Jeremy	Kelly	Johann	Pat	Cindy	Jim
Debbie	Jordan	Kumar	Kenni	Izan

We really worked all the kinks out of the Batu Caves trip system by our third round! These trips just kept getting better and better each time. Amazing!

Click on me to the right for more pictures and less talk!

This time Debbie arranged for a Malaysian driver (Izan) to come down into Singapore with a 10 person van and pick us all up at the International Plaza Friday night. We were all ready to go when we heard a meek voice from Jim, "Uhh, guys, I forgot my passport!" This sucked because Jim lives all the way up in Sembawang! However, he more then made up with "Apology" home made cookies and beer to boot which he grabbed from his apartment along with his passport.

We totally finagled the Dynasty system and managed to put 10 people in one large room. Total score here! More detailed info here.

We climbed at Damai Wall again on the first day. I have to admit, I was not entirely thrilled to spend another day climbing more of the same since this was the only wall I had yet to climb at Batu Caves . Still, I managed to push some harder routes and still had a great time! We even got our driver, Ivan, to do one climb!

On the second (Sunday) day we went over to mosquito wall which wasn't as bad as the name replies. Here we found many long (20-30m) high quality routes. Most of the wall was also in the shade for most of the day! Mosquito wall is nestled into the woods, which makes for a much more cooling climbing area, but of course this brings more mosquitoes. The routes were more along the 6a, 6b, and 6c range and Kelly had the experience of pulling a highly determined and swearing Pat up one of the climbs.

Having Izan to drive us back was perfect! We got a full day of climbing in on Sunday and when we arrived back in Singapore we got Izan to drop us off at our different homes for a small additional fee. Wow, the trip couldn't have been any cheaper or easier!

Dynasty Hotel info
By our third trip to Batu Caves we had worked out the kinks in using the Dynasty (now known as the "DIE NASTY" credit goes to Jim) Hotel in KL. 

Address:   218 Jalan Ipoh
Tele: 603-4043-7777
Web:   www.dynasty.com.my

Executive Suites work great for a group of 10!  Costs:  $181.70/ night.  Don't get the package with breakfast included, that's more expensive!  And you won't get enough vouchers.  There is a car park and you can get the parking fee waived if you need to at the front desk.

Hints: You're only booking for 2-3 folks.  We reserved it ahead of time, over the phone.  When you check in ask for two keys!  You'll be sneaking the rest in through the back, and up the back door elevator from the car park or back entrance.   It's great if you want to be near great food and have the option for clubbing at night. (Don't forget your clubbin' clothes) AC works great.  HUGE bathroom, with shower and a bathtub!  There is a safe to store your passports, etc.. Not necessarily sparkling clean, and the toilet may not flush all the time, but that's what dippers are for.  Some of us brought Therma Rests and pillows and light bedding. There was a king sized bed, which 3 fit well on, even if you're not a threesome, right Kenni : ).  Bring a pack towel and travel sized soap and shampoo, as the hotel is providing for only 2-3 folks.  You may need to stock up on TP from the lobby bathroom as we, with 10 folks using a room, ran out of two rolls over two days!  There is a pool on the top floor, with showers (pool closes at 10pm ) , so you can split out and get showers done in a timely manner.  As well, if you wanna swim, and check out the views from up there, they are great!  On the 14th floor, there is a water machine to top up water bottles etc...but you have to figure out the elevators...kinda confusing.  If you want to leave your AC on, you need to get more than one key, b/c you have to use your key in the box at the door for lights and AC in the room.  The first time we used the 'DIE NASTY', we got there pretty early, and the place was crowded, really easy to get lots of folks upstairs without much of a blink of an eye.  This time we got up there pretty late, after midnight, and the lobby was empty...we had to send two folks in for check in, while the others waited out back for the OK, which drew some attention from a guard, but with the key, was easy to access the back elevator.  If you park in the carpark, this is easy. 

Check out our 1st and 2nd trips out to Batu Caves!

© December 7, 2008