Ultra Cool Mama

[svgallery name="Tahan Day 3 and 4"]

On the third day be begin our climb to our last camp site (Kem Botak) before making out way to the peak. This is also the day that we really suffered because we didn’t have enough drinking water till we reach Kem Botak. We were suppose to collect water at a river somewhere in between but the river dried up. I was already in SO much pain and mot of the time my legs felt like jelly. The three guys had to take turn to carry my pack on and off the journey when I really couldn’t carry it anymore.

After we left Kubang we made our way to this place called Berlumut (1493m). Lumut means ‘moss’ and this place was full of it everywhere! I never saw moss so beautiful and in so many different forms and types. I think it must be because of the temperature at this height and it was rather damp. At this point it was beginning to get a bit chilly which was really nice and cool.We were told by our guide that there is suppose to be another water source here but when Greg and Milx got there, they only found that it was also dried up too. We were already very low on water, we had to ration ourself.  As we continue up we begin to see that we were almost amongst the clouds at some point. The vegetation from this point on also started to look really different, mostly shorter and with less leaves. We also saw many types of pitcher plants, wild orchids and wild flowers. Very interesting. The climb from here also gets trickier… The grounds were slippery and very muddy, we really had to look were we were stepping as there are many roots all over the place which serves as a threat to entangle your feet into it or it can be also very useful to grab and step onto to help you up. But it really never cease to amaze me how wonderful Mother Nature is.. Every time when I think “Oh no! Where should I step?” there is some kinda root or branch in within my reach to hold on to. The maze of roots entwined with each other forms like some kind of ‘net’ that holds the soil together and also serves as ‘steps’ for us. Each time i feel like I can’t go on.. I see a pretty little flower that cheers me up and encourages me to carry on… and promises me another surprise awaits me ahead.

After Berlumut, we arrived at this place called Bonsai. Yes, you guessed right… It’s called Bonsai because all the trees at this place looks like GIANT Bonsai tress. Nothing I’ve ever seen before… and the view from this point is amazing! We were already at 1750m. From this vantage point we could look down at the rolling hills below and opposite us (probably the jungle we have been crossing) From here onwards there isn’t any tough climbing on roots and all, but it was uphill walk. We had already ran out of water by this time. Tired and no water… no good at all. Milx was already getting very thirsty and contemplated on drinking from the puddles… I just couldn’t do it. We tried to collect some water from some creek.. (you can see the photo of it) but it just wasn’t working… in half and hour. we only managed to gather like a tablespoon full of water… We couldn’t do that, we were loosing water just sweating and sitting there! So what to do? Continue on without water… That was really hard, as the air was dry and we were breathing harder because the air is thinner at this altitude. Our only consolation was water at Kem Botak. The final push to Kem Botak was quite a torture… You know, the saying… so near yet so far? That’s how it felt like. Just then Jeff happens to just remember that he might have a bottle of left over 100 Plus in his bag! I feel like smacking him on the head!!

When we arrived at the camp site a few of the guys from our group was ready waiting there with a swing of Miranda Strawberry…. felt like the best thing you’ve ever drank! The first thing that I went searching for was water… I was expecting gushing waterfall or somewhat a small river but only to find a small well like looking opening with some yellow water. I was quite disappointed.. and it was getting quite late and cold as well.. so I somewhat had  quick wash down and collected some water for dinner.

That night, the camp site was really noisy. There like some 40 over people camping at the same place. I don’t understand how come they (Perhilitan) should control the number of people in the jungle at a time or maybe organize each group so that there will be enough room for everyone to set up camp at different camp sites. We could hear people talking all night… (aren’t they tired?) We were looking forward to sleeping under a blanket of stars… but it rained that night and it was cloudy. But we did see some stars.. I was too tired and so much in pain.

Day 4

We were woken up at about 3am by a group of ‘Cina’ people all ready to hike up to the peak in time to catch sunrise. *insert roll eyes here*

Greg, Milx and Jeff left a little later. I couldn’t move my legs when I opened my eyes. That day I was in the most pain… Every single step was agony for me. Greg has already made my pack as light as possible so that I could carry it on my own. I couldn’t hold my step coming down as my ankles, thighs and calf muscles were hurting so bad. Yoko Yoko and Deep Heat was my best friend. I don’t how I made it. That day we were to hike our longest stretch, from Kem Botak to Kem Khor. It took us 9 hours to get to Kem Khor. It was raining that day too. We ended up still in the jungle well after dark… not fun at all.  We were beyond tired and nervous about being in the jungle in the dark. Because we couldn’t see so much as an arm’s length ahead and we only had 2 torchlight and 1 headlamp, we were getting a bit edgy with each other, we couldn’t see very well… and we don’t really remember the way. Just imagine it’s tough enough in daylight, everything looks the same, at night it’s really having faith in the lead person, which in out case is Milx. He was really amazing, keeping the pace fast enough to keeps us going (so that we won’t think of anything else except the next step) and at the same making sure I was at his heels. Plus he didn’t have any light, only the light from my headlamp. Ah! For those of you who intend to go Tahan, a headlamp is an essential item to be on your list, very useful!

We finally arrived at Kem Khor at (I think) about 8pm. Again having to find some place to set up camp (because the herd of people from Kem Botak is now here) there wasn’t much choice left, disorientated in the dark… we manage to find a spot for ourselves, made dinner but really… we were all too tire to even eat. What a day… This was the most not fun day of the entire trip.

*to be continued*