Spot height 6040' to Empangan (waterfall ), journey of 3 hrs
17/8 The team arrived at G.Ulu Sepat as scheduled and camped below at boundary point.
18/8 The next day however, the nightmare started. All over, were overgrown trails and
minimal markers. The team only managed to blaze 4 (kilometer) squares. They made the
same mistakes as the rekki group in the 15th Trans Banjaran trip (the expedition that
Chin, Ong & myself -Ming took). There were too many choppings and it was dark before
the camp for the night was reached.
19/8 Day two of the nightmare began with a wet drizzle. Then, it rained cats and dogs.
Chilly winds and torrential rain smote deeply through the raincoats. Tired, the team
pushed stiffly onwards, with wet shoes and grim determination. This delayed the arrival
at the Gerah summit. Richard, the fastest lead member reached the top at 7.30pm just
after nightfall. He swiftly stirred up some magic coffee and tea to revive the spirits and
all those who came in and managed to set up base camp in superb time. That night, the
chill howling winds drove in, and everyone slept an exausted sleep.
20/8 The nightmare worsen. Many of the lead cutters, found great difficulty even in
cutting down to Bukit Kembok (bukit means hill in Malay). Morale and Food were
running low. Rationing had started.
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.
22/8" This was the third day I awaited for their exit. Ah Hee our 4x4 transportman came
in at 11.00am with the above message. Luckily N. Ganason was awaiting at Orchid
Valley to join the Core Team. He was instructed to lead 6 Orang Aslis to bring in
resupplies. The support team left at 12 noon."
"I proceeded back to Petaling Jaya to organise another support team. At 7.30pm Richard
called. He sounded very distressed and demoralised. He reported having no food. They
could perhaps cut down from Surian to the south 3 squares at the most with the last of
their energies." "By hook or by crook, I was to ensure that they get the necessary
resupplies."
23/8 "The next day, I arrived back at Orchid valley, together with the 2 remaining OA
(Orang Asli) and 6 others including myself, we brought more resupplies. After 2 hours of
brisk trekking, we encountered N. Ganason. He had camped at the 4th river crossing at
Bukit Manik, the expected rendevous with the Core Team."
"However at 1.00pm and the fact that the Core Team had not arived, they left camp after
leaving behind the supplies. They (the Support Team) were not happy to stay as the
valley was hit by howling winds and broken branches. It was already 3.30pm and no time
had to be wasted to reach the Core Team."
The two Support Teams join forces and proceeded to to the campsite at Buit Manik.
Meanwhile the Core Team had managed to reach Bukit Manik and were savouring the
resupplies when we found them."
"There was much relief and happiness and they exited at Orchid Valley that night for
much needed R & R."
24/8 It was Rest day. All the equipment were throughly drenched and wet. Even laptops
were not working. 2 members had to withdraw due to injuries and exhaustion. One,
because her father was gravely ill. Later in the day the much refreshed Core Team
proceeded to the next leg of their journey
26/8 Just out from Orchid Valley. Core Team has been delayed by 2 days. During this
time, Richard was unable to send out e mail but everyone has reached Orchid valley
safely and the resupply has been succesful.
28/8 Sorrylah brother, am having mountain sickness. Can't remember much thing now
but to survive in this terrain.
"Kow sai", the recce trip from Gerah to Ulu sepat that you have done one year ago is
horrible.
- You're telling me? - Ming
A lot of wrong trails, but will still follow and then attempt some back trackking.
似乎真的不是很顺利。可能东北北比较适合吧