Walking the Torq on Gunung Kinabalu Via Ferrata

9th June 2012, my second time standing on the summit of Mount Kinabalu, world heritage site and arguably the highest mountain this side of South East Asia at 4095m above sea level. My hike up from the base camp at Laban Rata, about 2.7km away and 3270m above sea level took about 3 ½ hours, the lower levels of oxygen and pitch darkness not helping.

Sunrise on Kinabalu...

By 5:30am, we can already see the first haloes of light that preceded the rising sun, such as it is here in the most Easternmost state of the Federation of Malaysia with clocks generally set to the same time zone as the federal capital, Kuala Lumpur, 1679km away over the South China Sea. I was halfway up the final outcrop of rock to Low’s Peak then, huffing and puffing in the thin air.

But this blog entry isn’t about my hike to the summit of Kinabalu, rather it is going to be about the trail down or more accurately the DETOUR down VIA FERRATA. :)

Conquering Kinabalu for the 2nd time! :D

Touted as the highest cable and rope trek at 3776m above sea level, the two circuits on Kinabalu currently available at the time of writing is managed by a company called Mountain Torq.

These circuits are the lengthy 'Low’s Peak Circuit' at 1.2km and the relatively shorter 'Walk the Torq Circuit' at about 430m. Mountain Torq has an office down at the Kinabalu Sanctuary Lodge Main Office area although walk-in requests to join a tour can be quite impossible judging by the trek’s increasing popularity. It is best that you make a reservation 6 months in advance.

The circuits offered for Via Ferrata. We took the long orang line, Low's Peak Circuit. The green represents the shorter Walk the Torq circuit while the blue is the 'traditional' route up and down the summit of Kinabalu.

For this trip, my friend Yee Wei booked us with a tour agent in Kota Kinabalu that arranged for a 3D2N package. Total cost for the whole thing is about RM1179 (not inclusive of flight) and heavy up front payment (>70% in my case, 6 months before the trip) is required for confirmation.

Price List displayed for the Circuits as well as some souvenirs ;) (Correct at time of visit, please call to confirm) ;)

The cost seems a far cry from the RM500+ I paid 5 years ago in my first attempt at Kinabalu. However there was no Mountain Torq then although my package did include Padas River and Poring Hot Spring Visit aside from the compulsory Kinabalu climb (Mesilau and Timpohon routes). Admitedly, prices for Kinabalu packages have skyrocketed in recent years for a host of reasons. :p

Mountain Torq's office at the Sanctuary Lodge, Kinabalu.

For adventurers already booked with their package, lodging is provided by Mountain Torq's very own Pendant Hut hostel in Laban Rata. Spartanly arranged, expect to sleep on bunks with thin mattresses with thermal sleeping bags to keep you warm (surprisingly very effective!). 

Spartan trappings for the night, sleep tight and hope no one snores... ;)

The electric heaters for showers works intermittently and are not very reliable, bathing in icy cold water is a distinct probability. Also, the hostel seems ‘unheated’ (indoor temperatures around 9oC) so bring some sweaters and warm clothing, just to sit in the mess hall.

Inside the Pendant Hut. Notice the strong wind and rain outside... Brrrrr....

Dinner is provided at Laban Rata, which requires a walk down wooden steps from the Hut in the open freezing air to get there. If it rains, good luck! :D Bring a poncho with you on the way up just in case (an umbrella wouldn't work due to the very strong winds).

Dinner at Laban Rata, after walking through driving FREEZING rain!

To their credit, the food at Laban Rata Restaurant has improved VASTLY! :D Other necessities can be obtained at their convenience store located in one corner of the restaurant (at slightly higher prices of course!)

Breakfast and Lunch will be at the Pendant Hut and features baked beans, sausages and toasted bread accompanied with some peanut butter and fruit jam.

Timetables are followed very strictly when it comes to the initial course briefing as well as the beginning of the actual trek. Participants are warned that their trek can be easily forfeited should they fail to attend the course briefing held at around 3pm the day before the trek or if they are late arriving at the start point of the mountain circuit the next day. No refunds are apparently given. Penalties will be charged if you are late checking out.

Briefing at Pendant Hut conducted by your friendly neighbourhood guide... Don't miss it!

Thus as I basked at the ‘triumph’ of conquering Kinabalu once again, half of my mind was already thinking that it was time to hurry down before we missed the boat.

The start point for Low's Peak Circuit

By the time I got down to the start point from the summit, about 1.2km away, it was already 7:15am in the morning. At this point in time, I was still recovering from the early morning hike. 2 other friends (Eu Jin and Terence) were with me out of our initial team of 11 that summitted Kinabalu early in the morning. The rest were either still struggling up the final stretch, sitting at the top taking photos or descending the summit somewhere behind.

By 730am, we were joined by two others, the trip organizer, Yee Wei and his friend. :)

We suited up, myself following what I have learnt from the briefing session the day before, although the guides were quite helpful in tightening up all those straps and making sure everything is properly mounted. 

Yes, it's safe... :D (Unless if you are some
suicidal crazy)


There are three fail-safes. Aside from the two carabiners attached securely on the worn harness which will be attached to a steel cable later on, there is an additional sturdy climbing rope also tied on to the harnesses of all participants. This rope will be looped around the steel rings (pre-)rammed into the solid granite wall of the mountain. So, if someone is to be so absent minded as to not hook the two carabiners onto the steel cable and fell, there is this still last length of rope tied to the group which will arrest their fall. Of course, at least one member of the group should have their carabiners similarly hooked onto the cable for the formula to work. Unless everyone (including the guide) is high on something and all didn’t do the needful, then the result would be a great red smear on the bottom of the mountain. :p

We were split into two groups. One consisting of Yee Wei and his friend, while my group consisted of Eu Jin, Terence and myself. Each group has a guide acting as the ‘anchor’.

We had to nominate a ‘leader’ for each group, whose responsibility aside from defying ‘death’ is to be the first in our train and therefore responsible to loop the rope around the series of steel rings running the length of the circuit at spaces of approximately 3 meters.

Having finally strapped on our helmets and taking the necessary pictures, we then moved to the edge.

The start of the Low’s Peak Circuit is dramatic, a 600m drop welcoming us just a few meters from the start point. It was so dramatic, that one of my group, Terence, loss heart and requested to be ‘relieved’ of his harness and gear. He opted to return back to Laban Rata the traditional way. That left Eu Jin, myself and our ‘anchor’ Ah Liow (he is Kadazan Dusun (I think) by the way).

Yee Wei and friend going over the 'edge'. Notice the steel rings for footholds. ;)

Two other members of our group arrived just as Terence got himself out of his gear. It was pass the 730am start time and although his withdrawal necessitated a minor reformation of the community rope and group arrangement, pleas from the two to join Eu Jin and I were flatly refused, the guide citing 'policy'.

He'll be climbing down the mountain when he comes... :)

Eu Jin and I soldiered on, the other group consisting of Yee Wei and friend already moving down the vertical wall of the mountain. At first it was indeed daunting. I was thinking it was going to be some abseiling thing all the way down the 600m vertical wall until to my relief, I saw metal footholds also hammered in on strategic points. But mind you, they are not there ALL the time. At certain points, it will be literally the bare rock wall against the sole of your shoe so make you have a GOOD shoe for the descent. Slippers/sandals are NOT ALLOWED (You’ll never make it pass the guide anyway). I also emphasized the ‘GOOD’ in the shoe as you don’t want your sole peeling off halfway down. You’d really going to suffer if it happens as the leverage would then have to go to your arms and shoulders for support. Also, despite the brochure saying that you should be above 1.3m tall to do the circuits, I felt the spacing of the footholds might be tad bit wide, requiring a 5'10" guy like me to still do an occasional little bit of yogic 'stretching' to reach the next foothold.

After a while, the initially complex process of looping the guide rope around the steel rings, transferring each carabiner over the ring by unhooking it from the steel cable and the rehooking it on the same cable on the other side of the steel ring becomes second nature. You’d have plenty of practice because on the entire length of the circuit there would probably be hundreds of times to do this.

Horizontal movement...

The view is of course breath-taking. At this height, Laban Rata lodge would be the size of your handphone if not hidden by the occasional cloud that rises from the ground below. On a good day, the valley beyond Kinabalu can also be seen (the town of Ranau and Keningau) as well as distant Kota Kinabalu. Of course, a clear unobstructed view also means no shade or protection from the blazing sun.

You will be sun burnt and you will get dehydrated as the rising sun directly shines on this side of the mountain. Sun tan lotion is recommended while bringing at least enough water via either a hydration pack or a small container is a necessity. A small 500ml bottle might just be enough for the first segment before reaching a small pool lower down to replenish it with mountain ‘dew’… er water. ;)

After the first ‘plummet’ of 600m, the trek changes direction to skirt horizontally around the side of the mountain. It then resumes the drop, ending under the shade of a mountain ‘forest’ located on a ledge. There were perhaps a couple spots on the trail (which is nothing more than a ledge on the mountain side) for real rest but when it does come, it’s a welcome relief and a good opportunity to sip some water. 

Taking a break by a ledge. Time to whip out the camera...

There is of course two lengths of ‘bridges’ to contend with before reaching the forested shelter. The first was fashioned from steel ropes and a wooden plank, it is way easier to cross than the second one which is similar to one on the Walk the Torq circuit. :p That one consists of 3 steel cables. Two at shoulder level, one at the bottom for foot travel. ;) 

Crossing a 'bridge'... this was the EASY one


It took us almost 3 hours to finish the first segment of the Low’s Peak Circuit, which is literally the climb down from the start point to the mountain forest below. In retrospec, my thought was that the first segment was a tad bit too long prior to a break.

The mid morning sun was already high and the thin air combined with the rising heat can take it’s toll on already tired bodies. We took a brief 30 min break before trekking thru the forest, rope removed, carabiners stowed away and harness still worn. Our destination, another length of cables and rings, the link to ‘Walk the Torq’ circuit. There are no ‘escape routes’ if you want to ‘skip’ this section. Apparently, once you go down the path, you are committed to finish it, all the way. :p ;)

Vertical Limit: Tranversing over a flimsy cable of the 2nd 'bridge'.

Trekking through the forest isn’t really your walk in Gasing Hill Park either. In fact you’d have to contend with low hanging tree branches, entangling roots and loose boulders as you literally scramble down the mountain. Crouching, crawling, balancing and squeezing through tight spots would take up most of the ‘trekking’ than mere ‘walking’.

'Jungle Trek'?! More like Commando crawl!

The good news is that there is a water hole on the trek, just before the start of the next segment. Resembling some Eastern Mediterranean oasis, it is a welcomed relief. Here, you can refill your canteen, water container or hydration pack with mountain water if you are not adverse to drinking the untreated stuff. :p ;) If you are, prepare to bring MORE when you start.

I was actually moaning at having to do another circuit when I saw the sun baked side of the mountain that we have to negotiate before the finish line. I had taken off my heavy leather jacket when a gust of chilly wind blew up clouds of mist from the valley dropping the temperature down again significantly. I put my jacket back on, knowing that once strapped, it will be neigh impossible to take it off (safely).

Clearing the forest section of the circuit and viewing the 'Walk the Torq' segment...

For the next segment, I took the lead from Eu Jin on the recommendation of the guide. Not sure if it’s lack of oxygen or the loss of a sole from one of his boots, but he has been fumbling with the ropes a little earlier on. ;)

We moved, the prospect of seeing our journey’s end spurring us on. On this trek, there were a few branches that led back up the mountain. Those are for the people taking the ‘Walk the Torq’ circuit exclusively, the way up for us was the way down for them on the main trek. I believe their start point was an hour later from ours around 830am. The guide pointed us to continue the right way.

Yee Wei skirting around the mountain

Once more we skirted around the mountain horizontally. There appears to be more ‘aids’ here than on the previous segment, long hand bars making an appearance on the mountain wall. Ah Liow taught us a method of hanging back and letting the harness shoulder the weight of our bodies instead of pasting ourselves to the rock wall, greatly aiding our movement.

By the time we reached the ‘bridge’ on this trek, I was dog tired. :p

As mentioned above, it consisted of just three steel cables, one on each side at chest level and a single one for footing. It was not easy to cross. In fact I was supporting myself with my arms and shoulders so as not to slip off the single tightrope.

The end of the trail was in sight a short while later, almost 5 hours from the start of hike. It actually connects with the traditional way up the summit at the point where wooden staircases led up from the huts and lodges of Laban Rata. 

Yee Wei and friend at the exit...

Eu Jin and I finished the trek, reaching the welcomed shelter of trees from the beating warmth of the afternoon sun. We removed the ropes and handed it to Ah Liow, although we had to bring our harness, carabiners and helmet back to Pendant Hut on our own.

By the time we reached Pendant Hut, the others that couldn’t make it to the Low’s Peak Circuit (losing a few hundred bucks in the process) was gone, already moving down the mountain to meet up with the van that will ferry us all to Kota Kinabalu for the night. There is a checkout time for the hut, failing which there will be penalties paid for every hour stuff are left behind in the room. Ours, because we took the longer route was 11:30am, but even with that additional ‘allowance’ we returned to the hut only at 2:00pm. Fortunately, our friends have helped us packed up and moved our bags to the mess hall.

Resting in the mess hall after a strenous climb... :) "Boss! Teh tarik satu?"

We wolved down our lunch of toasted bread, sausages and baked beans. By 3pm it was time to push off, a little late really to leave Laban Rata for Timpohon Gate since sunset arrives earlier here at 6:00pm. It was a race to the bottom not only to beat the sun but for me exclusively to also catch the flight back to Kuala Lumpur at 10:45pm. Unlike the others, I will not be staying the night in Kota Kinabalu.

Leaving my bag to the porter and carrying a small bag, I literally flew down the mountain to arrive at Timpohon Gate at 5:45pm. From there it is an additional 2 hour drive through a single carriageway to the airport.


The Reward for all the HARD WORK!

Now back to Via Ferrata :).

Unless you are in really good shape, I would consider adding an additional night in Laban Rata, either to do the summit trail and Via Ferrata on the same day and rest a night before descending OR doing the summit trail and Via Ferrata separately in two days, the last day descending back to base camp.

Doing the summit trail and via ferrata together might be risky though, testament to the 7 other friends of mine who could not make it on time to the start point at 730am for the Low’s Peak Circuit. They were of course of various fitness levels ranging from didn’t train in any significant way prior to our trip to somewhat regular weekend jungle trekking (Apeh Hill) in the last few months. Even if all of us made it to the trek, a single person with a muscle cramp on the Low’s Peak Circuit will significantly delay the rest as most of us would be tethered to one another. Time will be at a premium especially if failing to meet the schedule might incur hefty penalties or cancellation of subsequent plans. Keep in mind, guides do charge ‘overtime’ fees if they have to spend time with you after the sun sets on the trail out.

Nothing beats eating Maggee Curry in the cold weather! :D Yummm...

Overall, it was a very interesting and exciting detour from the usual hum drum of the trek down the summit. It is however, extremely challenging especially if you intend to complete the summit trail and then go down to the base camp on the same day! A healthy awareness of one’s physical as well as mental health is important. This is NOT skytrek (in Shah Alam). ;)

Until next time... "Selamat Mendaki!" ;)

Lata Kedondong 2012: The Return

Yes, we returned to Lata Kedongdong once more, first time in 2012, after quite a while. :)

Gathering a posse of 17 people, we congregated at Devi's Corner TTDI to pay 'homage' to it's roti canai, roti telur, telur setengah masak (most of the time) and teh tarik, filling up our energy stores before the commencing hike.

Breakfast at Devi's Corner, TTDI

Taking off after our 'expert' commando navigator, Dennis Teh, arrived 30 minutes AFTER our scheduled departure, we head off first to Desapark City, doing a few merry go-round turns before finding our 'Princess' Wai Wai standing at a different guardhouse from the one we thought we would find. :p ;)

Princess Leia, er... Wai Wai ;)

Needless to say, our FIVE car convoy couldn't maintain 'shield' integrity and so we ended up separated into three groups, all heading in the general direction of Ulu Yam. Offhand, I would like to thank my very patient participants, because despite the round and round turns, they have the supreme patience not to complain about it when we finally arrived at the destination (well, at least not in front of me of course)... ;) Haha!

Taking the MRR2 road with Vit Ping the only person skillfully steering his steed behind me, passing over the flyover at Kepong roundabout in the direction of the Batu Caves temple, we took a left turn just before the temple at a junction with the words 'Ulu Yam' printed (Route B22). We linked up with Teoh san's Honda Accord in the town on the road to Empangan Batu (Route B23). We are starting to gather 'lost sheep'... ;)

We passed Empangan Batu (Batu Dam on Route B23 -> B57), intermittent phone coverage granting us a brief opportunity to locate the other two cars in our earlier FIVE car convoy. They were behind us in Batu Caves town when were were passing by the Empangan Batu's romantic blue lake. :)

We reached Ulu Yam Baru town about 20 minutes later, following signboards to Batang Kali (Route B57) from there. Once we exited the town, it didn't take long before we found the signboard pointing towards Genting, about 6km from Batang Kali. We turned into the road (Route 66).

Caution is advised when travelling on this road. It is winding and there are many blind spots. And like it's famous cousin in the US, it is also famous for those people with a need TO speed. FAST cars (ie: Ferraris, BMWs etc) and Mat Rempit convoys ply up and down the route, the winding roads a 'test' to hone their skills on the highways of Malaysia (to the detriment of us all citizen drivers) :p. Of course our navigator, Mr. Dennis still have fond memories of this stretch of road... ;)

We reached the parking lot of a recreation park located about 20.5 km from Genting. Time check: 1030am. ;) The park is very well managed and clean, the toilets suitable for post trip baths and apparently now maintained by a keeper who would appreciate a 'contribution' of RM0.30 for upkeep of the toilets. :)

At the Car Park, waiting for cars #4 and #5... :)

After docking our three trusty 'steeds' at the car park, it was time to catch up with the two other cars. Informed that they went ahead to Batang Kali for a petrol stop, they finally linked up with us at the car park at 11am. Well, I guess it's still morning.

A large gathering... :) Definitely the biggest group I have brought to Lata Kedongdong... :)

After a customary group photo, we heaved anchor and cast off, in search of the staircase located at edge of the park that led to the jungle track and Lata Kedongdong beyond!

And we are off! :)

As before, the staircase and cement trail only went about a few meters before petering out to jungle track. And again, if you are not really observant, it would seem like there are seemingly a few 'tracks' heading in generally the same direction. Well, one rule of thumb when tracking on this trail, keep the stream and the road between you and you will never go wrong. ;)

The stream that links with Sungai Batang Kali

The jungle trek begins...

You can choose to do a 'river track' but I haven't done it before myself, although I have heard others do. However, judging by the size of some boulders in the stream, I would presume it to be a little 'tough' to scramble over them boulders.

At length, we reached a point where we had to negotiate up the side of a boulder close to the falls. Protruding tree roots offer good foot and hand holds although Dennis's boy scout rope was a welcomed relief for those not so 'initiated' in the art of jungle trekking. ;) The alternative over climbing up this 'high point', is to circle around it in a slightly longer and rather branch entangled route. Not really recommended. :p

For the 'uninitiated', a good sturdy rope is always better than trying to climb slippery rock (or in this case, boulder) faces... :)

We arrived at Lata Kedongdong approximately 30 minutes after leaving the car park. I almost couldn't recognize it this time around. :p

Arrival at Lata Kedongdong, 2012

For one, there is this huge tumble of bamboo spread across the outflow of the pool fed by the waterfall, inadvertently raising the water level of the pool and making the water look 'greener'.

The bamboo tumble covering the pool outflow, 2012. Water is slightly greener... :p

The clearer, 'cleaner' version we discovered in 2009

Despite it being almost noon, the area was still cool and the air pretty crisp.

There is also some form of bamboo 'shelter' located close to the track when we came in, no doubt set up by people with the intention to spend a night here without the hassle of carrying a tent. :p

We dropped our bags and head to the cool waters of the pool. The initial plunge was met by still 'icy' cold water although as our bodies adjusted to the temperature, swimming in it becomes bearable. ;)

Wading into the pool :). That's what we came here for isn't it? :)

As mentioned before, the raised water levels has deepened the pool at its center and although there is no detectable current there, it is more than 2.5 meter deep. Caution is strongly advised when swimming. Closer to the waterfall and towards the outflow, the current becomes stronger and now with the fallen bamboo tumble 'shrouding' the point where the water tumbles down from the pool, the seemingly stable waters just before the tumble might hide an underwater 'vortex' that can potentially suck a swimmer under and trap them between the boulders underneath. Keep away from the outflow! :p

The piles of boulders below the pool...

Once more, Dennis and Aaron explored the area above Lata Kedongdong, skirting along the slippery rock incline next to the falling waters. Again as before, there really isn't much aside from a small pool and a minor cascade. They lingered there for a moments before joining the rest of the group below.

A new yoga pose from Aaron? Must be back breaking! :p

Some of us didn't join in the 'fun' of swimming, preferring to keep their clothes firmly on their backs. ;) Questions as to 'why' they don't want to indulge in our little habit elicited a rather 'coy' answer in the guise of, "Oh, I didn't read the part about bringing spare clothing" and "Ah... next time." :) Ah well, as the saying goes, "Render upon Caeser..." ;)

Presenting: The Non Waterfall Bathers (NWBs). :)

After spending 1 hour and 15 minutes at the falls, it was time to head home and to look for lunch! ;)

We packed our stuff, taking time for one more group photo.

Group photo before we leave...

After that its a short trek back to the car park, a brief shower before going over to Ulu Yam for a taste of its famous Loh Mee! :D

One of Ulu Yam Lama's famous loh mee... Mmmm... ;)

Overall, Lata Kedongdong is still a nice place to swim, albeit one has to be a little bit more careful this time. A short relatively easy hike from the car park and a nice cooling dip awaits. Well worth the LOOOOONNNNGGGGG drive from civilization... ;) Till the next adventure! ;)You're welcomed to read my last documented visit of Lata Kedongdong here. ;)

The car park on km20.5 Ulu Yam -> Genting can be referred for below, ah the perks of modern technology... :)

View Car Park and Start Point to Lata Kedongdong Falls in a larger map

City Square Shooting Gallery: My Date with Smith & Wesson

What do you do on a Friday night?

Well, while others are favoring the drinking holes and clubs in and around KL, I chose to do something a tad bit different this time.

It’s my 2nd half day Friday since my company (now Aker Solutions ;)), started the 4 ½ day program and I took the opportunity to make a beeline from Pavillion Towers located at the heart of KL to Segambut before the hordes of KL-ites head to their cars and clog its myriad roads!

Now, what am I doing in Segambut?

Well, I am off to City Square Shooting Gallery! :)

The main lobby at the shooting gallery

Now, this shooting gallery isn’t the same thing as you would find in some circus booth firing those spring loaded shooters that spew out lame rubber plugs, this is the REAL thing, that is REAL guns and REAL ammo.

Unlike the US, where they have the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution that legalizes the ‘right to bear arms’, in Malaysia, it is completely illegal to own a firearm without a license on pain of imprisonment (max 14 years), whipping (not less than 6 strokes) (Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act, 1971, Section 8) or even (gulp) DEATH (Internal Security Act 1960, Section 57)!

So with these types of punishments in mind, it’s no wonder shooting galleries here are a rarity if not completely unheard of.

Therefore it was quite a bit of luck that I stumbled upon this Groupon that offered a one session of Handgun Training for Two Persons (50 rounds) for a rather reasonable price of RM225. Having seen a few people putting up facebook photos of themselves firing handguns at other shooting galleries, I have asked and been told that you need to get a ‘membership’ to do so. And mind you, memberships don’t come cheap. I was informed by someone (namely Sharon Choong :p) that it could easily cost RM10,000+ to be a member at a certain shooting range in Subang and another hefty sum to maintain the membership annually. So for RM225 to get a ‘feel’ of shooting a handgun, I think it’s quite a steal!

Aside from the Groupon offer, City Square Shooting Gallery does offer ‘walk-in’ as well as ‘membership rates’. Member prices are about 40% cheaper than walk-in rates although you’d have to pay an initial RM2,000 membership application and RM600 annual fee (2012) first. For a walk-in session, the price would be around RM450, counting gun rental, booth rental, ammo and the expertise of an instructor. In all cases (including using the Groupon), you’d still need to have your background checked AND cleared by the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) before they allow you to hold a firearm. Expect 2-3 weeks for that to happen.

After contacting the gallery and stating my intention to redeem the Groupon, I was given an application form to fill as well as required information to submit for the background check (namely a Photostat copy of your identification card (I.C.)).

I was also asked to state my preferred time slot to do the shooting although you do have to take into account the 2-3 weeks vetting process when you want to choose your date with the Smith & Wesson. ;) City Square Shooting Gallery is open everyday except Tuesdays and Public Holidays.

City Square Shooting Gallery's Operating Hours

After a two week wait, I was contacted by the Shooting Gallery and our date is set. :)

Arriving at the gallery for the 6:30pm appointment, I was met by their friendly staff (who incidentally works as a bodyguard) who passed me another form to fill prior to the start of training. You’d have to pass your IC to them to verify you are whom the Police have cleared from being some kind of criminal or Al Qaeda terrorist. :p

Some video footage of firearms training in the US to wet your appetite while you wait for your partner. If reading is more of your forte, racks filled with Gun Magazines are available as well... ;)

When my pard’ner arrived (Janice Khoo), it’s off to the training room for our briefing on how to properly use a firearm.

For our Friday session, we were joined by 3 other people making a rather cosy group of 5. I am told however, for weekends, the sessions could be filled to the brim especially when some companies choose to spend their annual ‘Family Day’ allocations on sending their staff for firearms training instead of the traditional picnic and egg on spoon balancing telematch in Lake Titiwangsa (don’t ask me why, I am figuring it out myself)! That would be in the area of about 20-30 people per session.

The initial briefing session was conducted by Mr. Von (that’s actually his ‘middle’ name), who gave us detailed instructions on the proper ways to hold, aim and fire a weapon. Emphasis is placed on safety of course, where we are repeatedly told NEVER to treat a firearm, even an unloaded one as a toy and point around people other than your intended target.

After the oral training session is complete and sufficient questions answered, it’s time for the REAL deal… life fire exercise! :)

The moment we have all been waiting for! :D

For beginners, discharging your weapon is done in a shooting booth under the supervision and guidance of an instructor. Mr. Clemen assisted us on this part of the exercise, while Mr. Von watched over the other group of 3.

The REAL thing... ;)

We were provided with a Smith & Wesson M&P9L which fires 9 x 19mm Parabellum rounds. Other models of firearms are available such as the Glock 17 and the CZ competition models, although you don’t have the luxury to choose if you are using your Groupon. :p

My 'date' for the night: Smith & Wesson M&P9L

Contrary to my expectations, I found the S&W lighter than I expected. But that does not mean firing it would be easy. As a matter of fact, I was told the heavier your firearm, the less the effect of recoil.

The 50 rounds shared between Janice and myself is more than adequate for me. Don’t dream about going ‘Rambo’ because firing a gun is tiring business! This is because aside from having to manage the recoil, you’d also be straining your muscles just trying to maintain the proper stance and aim to get a good shot. Of course with enough practice (and generous amounts of money), you’d be discharging shots like those guys in Discovery’s ‘Top Shot’. :p ;) For now, being a beginner, I’d advise that you guys TAKE YOUR TIME to discharge your weapon, those ‘angry’ looking soldier targets with em’ brandished bayonets ain’t reaching you anytime soon.

Charge! The angry looking soldier whom you're gonna pepper him with 9mm lead... :p ;)

A note on the shooter’s physical size for those ‘concerned’ ;). You don’t need to be a ‘hulk’ like George Reinas from Top Shot Season 2 fame to shoot accurately. Despite concerns on the force from the recoil of the weapon, I was informed that small children are also able to handle the S&W. My partner, Janice shot better than me despite only weighing about 40kgs. ;)

Don't let her dimunitive frame fool you, she is quite a mean shot!

Firing is done at ranges of 5 meters, 10 meters and 13 meters on stationery paper targets with ten rounds each spent on the 5 meter and 10 meter ranges and the last 5 rounds used for the 13 meter distance.

At the end of each range session, the target is taken down and marked by the instructor before putting it up again for the next range. Needless to say it gets harder to hit your target as the range increases.

Wearing ear muffs and eye glasses are mandatory. The ear muffs were obviously provided to protect your ears from the loud noise of a discharging weapon but the eye glasses were an initial enigma to me until one of the spent cartridges leapt out of the breech and struck it when I was firing a round! Whew!

The sound of a discharging firearm is also quite different from what you’d hear in the movies, more of a ‘snap’ than a ‘boom’. Maybe it’s because I am using a lower caliber weapon?

With one final whiff of cordite, my shooting session finally ended when I fired my last 9mm round at the 13m target. Thereafter, it was time for a few customary group photos with my instructors and another one with my ‘poor’ target. And yes, you can bring your multiply punctured target home for you to do whatever you want. :)

Group photo, Mr. Clemen is 2nd from right... :)

With Mr. Von, the instructor that gave us our oral briefing...

What you better not bring back are the bullet casings that might be littering the floor between your feet. Spent casings they may be, they are still against Malaysian law to possess it and you can get into very big trouble if the authorities catch you with it. :p

Spent Casings... make sure you are not tempted to bring them home... :p

On leaving, we had one final briefing, that on membership and other avenues to further explore the sport of competition shooting from the owner of the gallery, Kelvin Lee, who himself is a professional shooter and lead instructor.

Apparently, there are competitions here in Malaysia, mostly participated by members of the armed forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) and PDRM as well as a few private citizens. Don’t expect BIG prizes to recoup your about RM600 – RM1000 participation fee (which covers gun rental, ammo, equipment, lodging and such); I am told by Mr. Lee that the only prize you get is the ‘satisfaction’ of beating PASKAL, PASKAU, UTK or Commando members at their own game. ;)

The PRO, firing the S&W with one hand...

And so, ends one more otherwise regular Friday night for this ‘quantum singularity’. ;) Having so much fun, this will definitely not be my last time visiting City Square Shooting Gallery, as what our friend and former California Governor (Arnold Schwarzenegger) would say… “I’ll be back!”. :)

The next Top Shot? ;) Hahaha! Lots more practice required!

For more information, you may contact the City Square Shooting Gallery at:-

City Square Shooting Gallery
9th Floor, Menara TKSS
206, Jalan Segambut
51200 Kuala Lumpur
Wilayah Persekutuan
Tel- 603 - 6257 8975
Fax-603 - 6257 7890
GPS coordinates - N03° 10' 56.6" E101° 40' 35.9"


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