Editing Mount Tahan

{{short description|Mountain in Pahang, Malaysia}}
{{Refimprove|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Mount Tahan
| native_name = {{native name|ms|Gunung Tahan}}
| other_name = ''Gunung Tahan''<br />ڬونوڠ تاهن
| photo = Gunung Tahan. Snapped from Gunung Tangga Lima Belas.jpg
| photo_caption = 
| elevation_m = 2187
| elevation_ref = <ref name="peaklist">{{cite web|url=http://peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/indochina.html|title=Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia|publisher=Peaklist.org|accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>
| prominence_m = 2140
| prominence_ref = <ref name="peaklist"/>
| range = [[Tahan Range]]
| listing = [[Ultra prominent peak|Ultra]]<br/>''Ribu''
| location = '''''[[Taman Negara National Park|Taman Negara]]'''''<br>[[Jerantut District]], [[Pahang]]<br>[[Gua Musang District]], [[Kelantan]]
| map = Malaysia
| map_caption = Malaysia
| label_position = right
| coordinates = {{coord|4|37|57|N|102|14|03|E|type:mountain_region:MY_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref = <ref name="peaklist"/>
| topo = 
| type = 
| age =
}}

'''Mount Tahan''' ({{langx|ms|Gunung Tahan}}), is the highest point in [[Peninsular Malaysia]] with an elevation of {{cvt|7175|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level,<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Sam Shor Nahar Yaakob<!-- xct nm --> |author2=Shukri Mohamed<!-- xct nm --> |author3=Azlizam Aziz<!-- xct nm --> |author4=Zamru Ajuhari<!-- xct nm --> |date=January 2021 |title=Physical impact indicators for mountain trails: a case study of Gunung Tahan Trail, Malaysia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zainal-Othman/publication/350833747_PHYSICAL_IMPACT_INDICATORS_FOR_MOUNTAIN_TRAILS_A_CASE_STUDY_OF_GUNUNG_TAHAN_TRAIL_MALAYSIA/links/607502214585151ce17ed314/PHYSICAL-IMPACT-INDICATORS-FOR-MOUNTAIN-TRAILS-A-CASE-STUDY-OF-GUNUNG-TAHAN-TRAIL-MALAYSIA.pdf |journal=The Malaysian Forester |volume=84 |issue=1 |publisher=Forestry Department Peninsular Malaysia |pages=32-42 }}</ref> 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.

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

== Names ==
The word ''tahan'' in [[Malay language|Malay]] means "forbidden"<!-- = "tahani" -->, 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.<ref name="MF">{{cite journal |author1=Sam Shor Nahar Yaakob<!-- xct nm --> |author2=Saidon Amri<!-- xct nm --> |author3=Azlizam Aziz<!-- xct nm --> |author4=Abdullah Zawawi<!-- xct nm --> |title=Gunung Tahan Trail: A Historical Review |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329237266_Gunung_Tahan_Trail_A_Historical_Review |journal=The Malaysian Forester |date=November 2009 |volume=1 |issue=72 |pages=1-14 }}</ref>{{rp|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 [[Kelantan]]ese call it ''Gunung Siam'' ("[[Siam]] Mountain").<ref name="MF"/>{{rp|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&nbsp;°C to 18&nbsp;°C between December and January, and 7&nbsp;°C to 27&nbsp;°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|Leonard Wray Jnr]], and [[National Museum (Malaysia)|Selangor Museum]] curator [[Herbert C. Robinson|Herbert Robinson]] led a museum collecting expedition to Gunung Tahan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Shaughnessy |first=Elaine |date=2020-09-03 |title=The 1905 ascent of Mount Tahan (Malaysia) and fate of the bird collection |url=https://shnh.org.uk/the-1905-ascent-of-mount-tahan-malasia-and-fate-of-the-bird-collection/ |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=Society for the History of Natural History |language=en-US}}</ref>

The expedition involved sixty-five men and lasted five months.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Federated Malay States. |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/148546 |title=Journal of the Federated Malay States Museums |last2=States |first2=Federated Malay |last3=Museum |first3=Perak State |last4=Museum |first4=Selangor State |date=1908 |publisher=the Museums |volume=3 |location=Kuala Lumpur}}</ref> Dato’ To Muntri Idin and Penghulu Panglima Kakap Husin laid the groundwork before the main party arrived.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xmpsp |date=2008-05-17 |title=iNfO LiPaTaN SeJaRaH : xmpsp.com: KONSPIRASI GUNUNG TAHAN |url=http://lipatansejarah4xmpsp.blogspot.com/2008/05/konspirasi-gunung-tahan_17.html |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=iNfO LiPaTaN SeJaRaH}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RRC: Gunung Tahan trail: some history and background |url=http://www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/index.php?s=1&act=pdfviewer&id=1358838134&folder=135 |access-date=2023-03-31 |website=www.rhinoresourcecenter.com}}</ref> On July 15, Bulang, Che Nik, Mat Aris, Mu’min and Robinson were the first to reach the summit<ref name=":0" />.<gallery mode="packed">
File:Pulling Boats Up The Rapids In The Tahau River.jpg|alt=|Pulling boats up the rapids in the Tahan river during the 1905 museum expedition to Gunung Tahan.
File:Gunong Tahau From Sixth Camp.jpg|alt=|Gunung Tahan from sixth camp during the 1905 museum expedition to Gunung Tahan.
</gallery><gallery mode="packed">
File:Chrysominla strigula malayana (NML-VZ 31.12.14.146a) collected 1905-07-19 collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.jpg|[[Bar-throated minla]] collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.
File:Ficedula hyperythra sumatrana (NML-VZ 31.12.14.71) collected 1905-07-05 during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.jpg|[[Snowy-browed flycatcher]] collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.
File:Zanclostomus javanica (NML-VZ 31.12.14.33a) collected 1905-06-08 during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.jpg|[[Red-billed malkoha]] collected during the Federated Malay States Museums expedition to Gunung Tahan.
</gallery>

==Hikers Gallery==
<gallery>
File:River Crossing Near Kuala Juram, Gunung Tahan.jpg|Hikers [[Ford (crossing)|fording]] near Kuala Juram
File:Sunset near Kem Botak, Gunung Tahan.jpg|Sunset near Kem Botak
File:View Near Kem Botak, Gunung Tahan.jpg|View at dawn near Kem Botak
File:Unnamed Lesser Peak, Gunung Tahan. Snapped from Kem Botak.jpg|Unnamed lesser peak, viewed from Kem Botak
File:Signboard at the Peak of Gunung Tahan.jpg|Wooden signboard at the peak. The roof has been torn off due to severe weather in recent years
File:Either Teku Valley or Tahan Valley. Snapped from Somewhere Above Kem Gedung.jpg|Lembah Teku, above Kem Gedung
File:Kem Gedung, Gunung Tahan.jpg|Kem Gedung
File:Descent via Gunung Tangga Lima Belas.jpg|Steep descent via a series of metal ladders at Gunung Tangga Lima Belas
File:Usnea near the Peak of Gunung Tahan.jpg|''[[Usnea]]'' near the peak
File:Orchids Near the Peak of Gunung Tahan.jpg|Orchids near the peak
File:Rafflesia at Gunung Tahan.jpg|''[[Rafflesia]]'' near Wray's Camp
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[List of mountains in Malaysia]]
*[[List of Southeast Asian mountains]]
*[[List of Ultras of Southeast Asia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mount Tahan}}
* [http://peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=10957 "Gunung Tahan, Malaysia" on Peakbagger]

[[Category:Mountains of Pahang|Tahan]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Pahang]]