21/8 Woke up at 4.30am and the trail blazing started around 7.00am. It was cold and
damp that, with fine mists coiling in from the low cloud cover. Fallen bamboo forest
made progress virtually imposible. In the end, they managed to cover only 3 squares.
The rainforest had reclaimed all previous trails. It seemed as though all traces of any
pathway made by man had been swalloed by the Jungle. Even the experienced members
such as Chin and Ong were unable to locate markes as the trail had blocked by fallen
trees and bamboo. Many were feeling exhausted and miserable. With the remaining
scraps of food they managed to reach the summit 5995' (Surian ).
Not all was lost however, and for Lady Luck shone that day. They managed to make a
call out but were unable to communicate with the reception team at Orchid Valley.
Reporters and the ABM reception committee had been waiting since the 20th August.
" No food and water for 2 days. Great difficulty in locating the previous trails. Resupplies
urgently needed."
By then, Dr. Wong (ABM President and overall trouble shooter) and the Support Team
were ready to go. The following are live reports straight from Dr.Wong Sai Hou himself
in Orchid Valley. Known for his amazing endurance on the Trans Banjaran Expeditions,
it was once again time to don the old Expedition Boots and give the ABM Team the
Support they needed (like a charging bull, Dr.Wong carried on and on... I often wonder
where he gets his energy from). As the climate was cold, the recent trouble of humidity
would not be such a problem for him.