Brown and burnt

There was a severe draught early this year lasting almost two month. During that time many parts of the country was on fire. Kepayang Hill was not spared. One evening I received an SMS from Bernice saying that KHill was on fire. I couldn't see from my house. It was the S2 side.

I suspected then that it must be near Rocky Mountain ... one of our favorite routes. 

After staying away from the hill for almost two months, we managed to go up today. Haze, rain and of course hectic schedule have kept us from the hill this long. I no longer enjoy the hill. The route has changed because of development. The hill has been cut all the way up. 

While making our way up Rocky Mountain we noticed signs of the wood being burnt. It got worse the further we went. True enough...that was the part that was on fire few months ago as seen in these pictures. 

Totally dismayed and saddened by what we saw. 

Going up the trail...used to have low bushes left and right. Now it's barren and clear.

At the top...all brown. The trees are blackened. It's more severe at the top compared to the bottom. 

We hope to grow old climbing this hill. Now I wonder if the hill will still be here in ten years time. Need to look for a new hill nearby to climb.