2013 - Viper Challenge in Sepang F1

Viper Challenge 2013 at Sepang F1 International Circuit on 18th August 2013
Viper Challenge is a 20km Obstacle Course Challenge, which is predominantly filled with man-made 18 obstacles that will put both heart and spirit to the test. It is Asia's first and largest obstacle challenge, like no other. Imagine obstacles designed to take you out of your comfort zone, you will enter the challenge either as an individual warrior or as part of a team...  Whichever way you enter, you will finish understanding that cooperation and teamwork will be the likely factors that will help you to get across that finish line, without it you are unlikely to succeed.
The grueling 20km route which goes around Sepang F1 International Circuit.
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Photo taken after the challenge with our medal. Our 6 member team: (L-R)  Mervin Jared Gan, Ching Jin Yuan, Darmandran Sivapathasundram, Logendran, Ching Jin Wei, Ching Neng Bin (team captain).


2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - At the starting point. We were suppose to start at 6.40am for the first wave, but, due to the heavy rain this morning, we were delayed till 7.10am. Viper Challenge is not a race but it is a personal challenge where the participant will aspire to complete each obstacle set out successfully and make it to the finish line with a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Organised by Original Bootcamp, the event is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants for the two-day challenge, starting on Aug 17. Its director, Selva Kumar, said the challenge was aimed at creating sustainable, community-driven outdoor experience for Malaysians. The obstacles had been carefully designed and built by a team of Australian specialists.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Gathering at the paddock.  L-R: Darmandran Sivapathasundram, Mervin Jared Gan, Ching Jin Yuan, Ching Jin Wei, Logendran.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - My two children: Ching Jin Wei and Ching Jin Yuan wanting to be part of History and became a victim of Malaysia's Largest Challenge.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - The final briefing and flag off by this marshal at the start of this 20km trail run with the 18 obstacles below at 7.10am.
Obstacle 01 - Netting Crawl
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is the 50 feet netting crawl.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is the 50 feet netting crawl.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This 1st obstacle was easy for all.
Obstacle 02 - Eight Feet Vertical Wall
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Ready to take on the 8 feet vertical wall with high team spirit.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Ching Jin Yuan is at the top with just one pull and push.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - No sweat for Mervin Gan, Jin Yuan and all team members.
At the 1st Syabas water station
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Left: Surprised to meet the son of Mr Yew Thean Lye (my Taiping friend) as volunteer in the water station.
Obstacle 03 - Ice Jump
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Getting ready to jump into the icy water and dip under the wall to get to the other side.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Mervin Gan is feeling the chill as submerged from under the wall and to get across as quickly as possible.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - It was easy, but, the muddy icy water treatment is torturing.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Ching Jin Wei was seen running on the spot to warm up the muscles and Ching Jin Yuan behind was seen leaping like a frog out of the icy water.
Obstacle 04 - Tyre Run
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is running through a field of tyres which is quite easy.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

Obstacle 05 - Hill Slide A
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - With the help of a rope, you just pull yourself up the muddy steep slope.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 06 - Hill Slide B 
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This time there is no rope to climb, just make your way up.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 07 - Barb Wire Crawl
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is a muddy barb wire crawl.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

Ching Jin Yuan at the 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

Ching Jin Wei is fully covered with mud except his face at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 08 - Muddy Trench Pool
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is wading through a pool of muddy water.

Ching Jin Yuan and Ching Jin Wei at the 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 09 - Muddy Nine Holes
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is getting down into the hole and climbing up for another hole.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 10 - Muddy Trench Crawl
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is getting into the trench and crawl through the muddy water to the end.

Ching Jin Yuan at the 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

Ching Jin Wei at the 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 11 - Narrow Log Crossing
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is one of the toughest obstacles - 20 feet narrow log crossing.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Many were successful and many also fell into the waist deep water.

Mervin Gan on the right followed by Ching Jin Yuan behind at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Slow and steady, Ching Jin Yuan did it.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - The bottleneck here - Jin Wei in yellow was seen smiling waiting for his turn.

Ching Jin Wei did it on his first attempt at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
The toilet station
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Just before the Monkey Bar, every team member went for a pee.
Obstacle 12 - Monkey Bar Over Water 
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is the toughest of all obstacles in this challenge.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - In my team only Darmandran and Logendran made it through, and the rest fell into the water.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

The trail through oil palm plantation at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

Banana for lunch along the trail at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

The panorama view of the surrounding at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 
Obstacle 13 - Cargo Net
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 


Another water station at 2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - At the lake view.
































Obstacle 14 - Water Slide
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - This is the most thrilling obstacle of all.
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Just slide down the hill slope with water on plastic ground sheet.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Just slide down the hill slope with water on plastic ground sheet.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Just slide down the hill slope with water on plastic ground sheet.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Just slide down the hill slope with water on plastic ground sheet.
Washing up in the "longkang" drain
2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Washing up in the "longkang" drain.

2013 Viper Challenge in Sepang F1 - Washing up in the "longkang" drain.


2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 15 - Over a mound of Tyre. This was an easy crossing over an artificial heaped pile of tyre.

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 15 - Over a mound of Tyre. This was an easy crossing over an artificial heaped pile of tyre.
Obstacle 16 - Incline Wall
2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall

2013 Viper Challenge Obstacle 16 the Incline Wall
Obstacle 17 - Bales of Hay Climb

Ching Jin Yuan gave a helping hand to Mervin Gan who had a bad leg cramp.



Obstacle 18 - Ten Feet Vertical Wall 




The hydrant wash at the finished line at 2013 - Viper Challenge in Sepang F1

The hydrant wash at the finished line at 2013 - Viper Challenge in Sepang F1

We are looking forward to the next Viper Challenge 2014.
Having paid RM102.00 each for participating, it was suffering all the way. Only at the finished line, we got happiness. That was the Gruelling Viper Challenge features 20km trail run with 18 obstacle course. Right now, my arms and legs have minor cuts and several abrasions from the rope burns and stumbling on the rough surfaces of the tyres, but, the happiness of completing the challenge in 4 hours and 10 minutes, has never been sweeter!      "WE SURVIVED!"














2013 Backpacking to Shangri-La day 21 to 25 to Lijiang, Lugu Lake, Xichang, Chengdu, KLIA


The morning view of the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Lijiang
 
Day 21 (19.04.2013) Lijiang (丽江) to Lugu Lake (泸沽湖)

For today and the next 3 days were actually the long way return journey back to Chengdu then to Malaysia. We have to return to Lugu Lake by bus first then to Xichang by bus and to Chengdu by overnight train.

We took the 7.10am bus from the Lijiang new bus station for a 6 hour journey to Lugu Lake. The normal bus journey is 8 hours, but this crazy bus driver did it in 6 hours. It was hell of a ride as the driver was speeding all the way and taking corners without slowing down. We were all very distress in the bus, however, we were lucky that we were still alive to tell the story.

We all had a good rest after lunch, but, Lim Cheng Tee rented a new bicycle to cycle across the lake vide the marriage wooden bridge to visit the villages there. He however, came back at 8.45pm after our dinner at 7.30pm and got us all very worried. We had wanted to report to the police and rent a van to look for him. Lily Yap had prayed very hard for his safe return and her prayer to our relieved was answered.

Sleeping: Wind’s Guesthouse (湖畔宾馆) in Lugu Lake


From Lijiang we traveled by bus for 6 hours to Lugu Lake and the main attraction here is the stunning beauty of this forest-lined lake with sapphire blue water as viewed from the mountain road.


The view of Lugu Lake from the mountain road on the way down to Loshui (落水) town.


The bus stopped here to pick up more passengers at Loshui (落水) town the northern part of the Lugu lake.


Home made rice wine on the house during lunch at a restaurant beside Wind’s Guesthouse (湖畔宾馆) in Lugu Lake.


The field is ready for replanting around the Lugu Lake area.


The field is ready for replanting around the Lugu Lake area.


Lugu Lake spectacular sight will cut into your mind forever, attesting to the beauty of God's creations.


Lugu Lake spectacular sight will cut into your mind forever, attesting to the beauty of God's creations.


Lugu Lake spectacular sight will cut into your mind forever, attesting to the beauty of God's creations.


Lugu Lake spectacular sight will cut into your mind forever, attesting to the beauty of God's creations.


Lugu Lake spectacular sight will cut into your mind forever, attesting to the beauty of God's creations.


Lugu Lake spectacular sight will cut into your mind forever, attesting to the beauty of God's creations.


Mosuo tribe is one of the last practising matriarchal societies in the world at Lugu Lake.


Mosuo tribe is one of the last practising matriarchal societies in the world at Lugu Lake.

Day 22 (20.04.2013) Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) to Xichang (西昌) to Chengdu (成都)

When we left Lugu Lake in our bus at 8.30am we heard that there was a massive earthquake in Ya’an. We had actually passed by there on our Day 2 (31-3-2013) on our way to Hailuogou (海螺沟), otherwise we would have experienced the earthquake. We were all glad that the earthquake happened now or we will be trapped and unable to continue our adventure.

It was an 8 hours bus journey from Lugu Lake to Xichang arriving at 4.30pm. At the bus station we took taxi to the Xichang train station and were relieved that the train service was on. The train departed at 9.46pm for Chengdu. While waiting for the train we had nice local beer sponsored by Mr. Ng.

Sleeping: overnight train from Xichang to Chengdu


A long wait here due to the road work after a landslide from Lugu Lake to Xichang.


A long and winding road through the pine forest up in the mountain from Lugu Lake to Xichang.


At the Xichang train station VIP lounge to take the overnight train from Xichang to Chengdu.


At the Xichang train station VIP lounge to take the overnight train from Xichang to Chengdu.


Our soft bed sleepers on the overnight train from Xichang to Chengdu.


Lee Kam Boon checking the reading lights on the overnight train from Xichang to Chengdu.


Lily Yap and Lim Sok Bee are happy with the soft bed sleepers on the overnight train from Xichang to Chengdu.


Lim Cheng Tee taking a photo with the lady train inspector on the train from Xichang to Chengdu.

Day 23 (21.04.2013) Chengdu

The train supposed to arrive at Chengdu at 8am but was delayed by 5 hours arriving at 1pm. The delay was due to inspection of the railway track as a result of the earthquake at Ya’an near Chengdu. 
 
We had very good farewell dinner at Chengdu Kwong Chow restaurant and Ching Neng Bin was presented with a birthday gift by fellow team members with a small cake and a big candle to blow.

Sleeping: Traffic Inn (交通背包客栈), 6号 Linjiang Middle Road, Chengdu.


A farewell dinner at Kwong Chow restaurant in Chengdu.


A view of Jinjiang River by night in Chengdu.


A view of Jinjiang River by night in Chengdu.


A view of Jinjiang River by night in Chengdu.

Day 24 (22.04.2013) D7-327 Chengdu to K. Lumpur (2355 – 0430)

Today is basically a rest day and some last minute shopping. We took 2 vans to airport at 9.15pm for our 11.55pm flight back to Malaysia.

Sleeping: on-board AirAsia D7327


A photo taken with the friendly staffs of Traffic Inn (交通背包客栈), 6号 Linjiang Middle Road, Chengdu.


A photo taken with the friendly staffs of Traffic Inn (交通背包客栈), 6号 Linjiang Middle Road, Chengdu.

Day 25 (23.04.2013) 25 23/04 Arrival at K. Lumpur: 0430 hrs

The plane touchdown at 4.30am and we all bid goodbye to each other before arranging our own transport back home. Lim Sok Bee's brother from Klang came to pick four of us ( Lim, Ng, Chew, Ching) and dropped Ching in his son's house in Subang Jaya.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

SPECIAL THANKS to
Bernard Lee our team leader
Lee Kam Boon our official interpreter
Chew Leng Soon our treasurer cum accounting
All team members for their photographs and good team spirit


Quote: "It will be one of the pleasures to recall about the many unforgettable backpacking trips to China".
 
///Backpacking Adventure to ShangriLa China the Last Frontier 30 March to 23 April 2013 (25 days) 




Total Grand Per Pax
Day

RMB RMB RMB
21 a. 3 taxi - Zhuhai inn to Lijiang New bus stn 40.00
4.00

b. Bus - Lijiang to Luguhu 950.00
95.00

c. Entrance fee - Luguhu 550.00
55.00

d. 2 vans - Marriage bridge to Wind GH 50.00
5.00

e. Room - Wind's GH 5 X rmb88 440.00
44.00

f. Lunch 130.00
13.00

g. Dinner 200.00
20.00




2,360.00 236.00






22 a. 2 vans - Wind's GH to Luguhu Bus stn @ rmb10 100.00
10.00

b. Bus - Luguhu to Xichang rmb82 X 10 820.00
82.00

c. 3 taxi - Xichang bus stn to xichang train stn @y15 45.00
4.50

d. Train - Xichang to chengdu 2,226.00
222.60




3,191.00 319.10






23 a. MRT - Chengdu North train stn to Linjiang Hotel stn 20.00
2.00

b. Room - Traffic Inn 620.00
62.00

c. Birthday gift - Ching 118.00
11.80

d. Small cake 3.00
0.30

e. Dinner 361.00
36.10




1,122.00 112.20






24 a. 2 vans - Traffic Inn IYH to airport rmb80 X 2 160.00





160.00 16.00








Total for 10 pax for 24 days 46,641.15  4,664.15










click below:
Day 01 (30.03.2013) AirAsia D7-320: K. Lumpur to Chengdu (成都), Sichuan (四川)
Day 02 (31.03.2013) Chengdu to Hailuogou (海螺沟) (296km/7.5hrs bus)
Day 03 (01.04.2013) Hailuogou (海螺沟) Red rocks @ Swallow Gully (燕子沟)
Day 04 (02.04.2013) Hailuogou (海螺沟) Luding (泸定) Kangding (康定) to Xinduqiao (新都桥)
Day 05 (03.04.2013) Xinduqiao (新都桥) to Danba (丹巴) Land of thousand watchtowers

Day 06 (04.04.2013) Danba – day trip to Jiaju Tibetan Village "the most beautiful ethnic town
Day 07 (05.04.2013) Danba (丹巴) – staying in Jiaju Village
Day 08 (06.04.2013) Jiaju Village (甲居藏寨) to Xiaojin (小金) to Rilong (日隆)
Day 09 (07.04.2013) trekking up Changpinggou (长砰沟) middle gully of Siguniang (四姑娘山)
Day 10 (08.04.2013) Rilong (日隆) to Chengdu (成都)

Day 11 (09.04.2013) Chengdu (成都) day trip to Huanglongxi (黄龙寺)
Day 12 (10.04.2013) Chengdu (成都) to Xichang (西昌)
Day 13 (11.04.2013) Xichang (西昌) to Lugu Lake (泸沽湖)
Day 14 (12.04.2013) Lugu Lake - cycling around Lugu Lake
Day 15 (13.04.2013) Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) to Lijiang (丽江)

Day 16 (14.04.2013) Lijiang (丽江)
Day 17 (15.04.2013) Lijiang (丽江) to Shangri-La (香格里拉) (Zhongdian (中甸)
Day 18 (16.04.2013) Shangri-La (Zhongdian) - day trip to Potatso National Park
Day 19 (17.04.2013) Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) / Bai Shui Tai terrace waterfall(白水台)
Day 20 (18.04.2013) Tiger Leaping Gorge to Lijiang (丽江)

Day 21 (19.04.2013) Lijiang (丽江) to Lugu Lake (泸沽湖)
Day 22 (20.04.2013) Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) to Xichang (西昌) to Chengdu (成都)
Day 23 (21.04.2013) Chengdu
Day 24 (22.04.2013) D7-327 Chengdu to K. Lumpur (2355 – 0430)
Day 25 (23.04.2013) 25 23/04 Arrival K. Lumpur: 0430 hrs




      RMB        RM
Total Costs per person excluding Air fare    4,664.15      2,360.06


Return Airfare per pax incl. insurance, meals   1,632.41    826.00 


Total Cost Per Pax incl. of Airfare    6,296.56 3,186.06