Triathlon Expedition 'Borneo Challenge 03' - Borneo - Sept 2003
202 (M) Field Hospital (V)
After my Op Telic experience with 202(M) Field Hospital (V) in the barren, arid, flat, hot and dusty landscape of the Kuwaiti and Iraqi desert, in stark contrast, my next adventure took me to the lush, green, humid, mountainous rainforests of Borneo.
Along with a mixed group of 28 others of varying fitness abilities; from Chris, a 22 yr old personal trainer, to Karen who had suffered a paralysing illness and who had to spend 2 yrs in a wheelchair, we set off on a trip of a lifetime.
The first part of the challenge was to climb Mount Kinabalu. The first days climbing was not so strenuous as the starting point was at 8,500 ft above sea level. The rocky pathway over 8.5 km was almost vertical in parts, the scenery rich in vegetation, and the atmosphere humid and warm. At every kilometre point, a squat loo cabin was situated, and the higher we climbed, the more some of us struggled with the altitude, suffering amongst other symptoms, shortness of breath, nausea and headaches. The walking sticks came in very useful in places! As we climbed, we passed numerous light-footed ‘locals’ who were earning approx £5 a day carrying massively heavy loads up and down the mountain, as this was the only means of transporting anything to and from the hostel where we were due to stay for the night, after reaching the 11,500 ft above sea level point.
|
|
On arrival at Laban Rata, we discovered that the hostel's accommodation was very basic in mixed dormitories of up to 10 people, bunk beds, and one dare not inspect the bed linen or the dark corners of the room too closely! We were well above the cloud level and we marvelled at the incredible cloud formations far below us, before the hostel was completely shrouded in mist and drizzle as darkness fell. We were served a varied and tasty banquet meal before everyone settled for the night at around 19.00hrs, knowing that we had to rise at 01.30 or 02.30 a.m, depending on our ability level to ascend the second part of the mountain. At 22.00 hrs it seemed that everyone was over excited about the ascent and very restless, and unable to get any sleep. There was a lot of tossing and turning and giggles in our dorm especially, the adrenaline was already buzzing. We set off, in the pitch darkness, a trail of head torches like glow worms, climbing laboriously across the granite face of the mountain with our guides close at hand. We were issued with whistles just in case we got separated from the main groups, and all climbers had to be listed and given a number and an identity tag. In places, this part of the ascent was very challenging, with only a bit of rope to assist and prevent us from falling into the blackness of the valleys below. The view from the top of the world at dawn was quite spectacular, and worth all the effort; aching leg muscles and lack of sleep – even the altitude sickness!! |
|
|
The next part of the challenge was cycling over a distance of 185 km through the Kroker Mountain range, with only one days recovery from the Kinabalu experience in the Poring Hot Springs location, deep in the rainforests where we were fortunately able to experience a ‘show’ from orang-utangs who had not been seen for 4 weeks.
On bikes that weren’t altogether 100% road worthy, over varying terrain, from gravely, pot-holey, up-hill pathways to smooth, wide, open down-hill stretches often in torrential rain. The first day was extremely tough, as the hills to be cycled up were higher and longer, the second day was not so challenging as we cycled through paddy fields and gentle foothills. There was always help at hand for repairs or the odd ride on the truck if the need arose. These two parts of the challenge had to be accomplished in a set time.
|
|
Next part of the Borneo Challenge was the white water raft down the Padas River. We all signed our disclaimers and donned our life jackets and helmets. The rapids were grade 3 or 4, and were superb as we careered down them all too quickly. At the other end of the course we all felt we could have done it over again. The last part of the Challenge was the scuba dive and swim in the warm South China Sea. This was less strenuous but a challenge never the less, as the memories of being in our respirators for hours on end at the beginning of the conflict with Iraq were relived again, despite having experienced diving and the wearing of the breathing apparatus before. |
Altogether a incredibly exhausting but worthwhile experience.
Borneo, a beautiful country, and one highly recommended to be travelled to if
the opportunity arises.
Capt A Burrow QARANC