MT. YONG YAP HIKING SUMMARY AND DETAILS OF ATTACKED BY JUNGLE WASPS

MT. YONG YAP HIKING (12 OCTOBER 2007) SUMMARY

 

Day	Date	Time	Location	Altitude (Casio)^	Altitude (Official)	Difference	Remarks
1	12/10/2007	1245 hrs	Starting point, near the second river (Pos Brooke)	650 m	N/A	n/a	Start hiking
1	12/10/2007	1314 hrs	River	705 m	N/A	n/a	1st wet river crossing
1	12/10/2007	1315 hrs	River	705 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing and break
1	12/10/2007	1316 hrs	River	710 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1324 hrs	Junction	715 m	N/A	n/a	Took right turn
1	12/10/2007	1349 hrs	River	785 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing
1	12/10/2007	1358 hrs	River	850 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing and break
1	12/10/2007	1404 hrs	River	850 m	N/A	n/a	Continue hiking
1	12/10/2007	1434 hrs	River	880 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing
1	12/10/2007	1437 hrs	River	885 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	12/10/2007	1438 hrs	River	885 m	N/A	n/a	-
1	12/10/2007	1440 hrs	River	885 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1445 hrs	River	890 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing
1	12/10/2007	1445 hrs	River	895 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1449 hrs	River	900 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing
1	12/10/2007	1459 hrs	River	910 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing and break
1	12/10/2007	1506 hrs	River	910 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1508 hrs	River	915 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing
1	12/10/2007	1513 hrs	River	915 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1517 hrs	River	920 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	12/10/2007	1546 hrs	River	910 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing, break and tied marking ribbon and notes
1	12/10/2007	1554 hrs	River	910 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1611 hrs	River	895 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing
1	12/10/2007	1625 hrs	River	890 m	N/A	n/a	River crossing, break and tied marking ribbon
1	12/10/2007	1719 hrs	River	770 m	N/A	n/a	Last wet river crossing (before starting point)
1	12/10/2007	1739 hrs	Junction	725 m	N/A	n/a	Break
1	12/10/2007	1740 hrs	Junction	725 m	N/A	n/a	Continued hiking
1	12/10/2007	1810 hrs	Starting point, near the second river (Pos Brooke)	675 m	N/A	n/a	Reached starting point safely

 

Notes:

n/a       Not applicable

N/A      Not available

^           Reading from my Casio Protrek Triple Sensor PRG70T Series watch

 

Total trekking time on 12 October 2007 = 5 hr 25 min (including resting time)

 

12/10/2007

 

Hiking pace = Slow to average pace

 

This was my second attempt with the group of 12.  We started at 12.45 p.m. from Pos Brooke after taking a 4 WD in.  Our journey was delayed for 2.5 hrs as we could not find a parking i.e. not allowed to park outside the school.  If we were to park at the house of the native guide, we had to pay RM30 per day per car.  This was too expensive for us to bear.  Finally we decided to park our car at Kuan Ti temple at Kampung Raja.

 

We started quite late with 2 native guides.  This time our guide was led by Pendak.  We estimated that we would be able to each the campsite before 7 p.m.  The starting of the journey was fine as the trail route was not difficult.  We had to cross river for quite a number of times i.e. more than 5 times for the first day.

 

I could still remember clearly the trail as I had hiked before the trail six months ago.  Noticed that there were some changes made to the bamboo bridge.  Some were replaced with new none and some bamboos were added to enable hikers to cross the river easily.  There was also new bamboo bridge built to enable easier access to the next site of the stream.

 

The trail is rarely used by hikers as no marking ribbons at all.  At certain point, hiked at the wrong direction i.e. taking the wrong junction as it seemed obvious.  According to the guide, the wrong trail only led us to the place whereby bamboo harvesting activities taking place.  After taking the wrong trail, I decided to tie a marking ribbon at the junction to avoid confusion when coming back.  The trail has changed slightly due to opening trail by hikers and / or native people.

 

I tried to find the unique bamboo tree (giant bamboo tree) which is very tall and big size but could not locate it.  At altitude 920 metres after crossing the river, it started to rain.  I decided to put down my backpack near the river and the bamboo trees to retrieve my poncho.  Suddenly, Chui Miew shouted for us to run as there was a swarm of jungle wasp going to attack us.  I did not notice it and I was panicked.  Decided to run as quick as possible as I could hear the sound of jungle wasp chasing us.  Everyone seemed to be running for their lives.  Almost everyone got stunk by jungle wasp.  I got stunk on my head.  The jungle wasp kept on chasing us even crossing the river.  We ran until a distance quite far whereby the jungle wasps were not able to follow us. 

 

I forgot to carry my backpack while running as I panicked.  My gloves were also left at the bamboo trees area.  I tried to back trek to the bamboo trees area to retrieve my stuff.  Luckily Kam Meng and Kenny managed to pick up my stuff.  Thanks to Kam Meng and Kenny for helping me to carry my backpack and my gloves.

 

One of the team members who were stunk by jungle wasp had some complications.  His face suddenly turned red and he was on the verge of fainting.  Luckily within 2 minutes Kam Meng and Boon Keat arrived at the scene.  The person body was quite weak.  Kam Meng and Boon Keat tried to perform some first aid procedures on the weak person.  We were told to split into 2 groups.  The first group will be led by Boon Keat to locate the campsite (around 1.5 hrs) in front and to set up tents there.  The second group was asked to remain at the same place and to set up tent around the area later.  Before the group were split, Boon Keat requested whether we have anti-histamine pills and I had some pills.  Decided to give a pill to the weak person to consume.  Then, the group started to split. 

 

Few minutes later, the person fainted and on the verge of collapse.  Kam Meng noticed something was not right and decided to cancel the trip.  I was asked to chase the front group and called them back.  Within 2 minutes, I managed to chase them.  I shouted and blew 3 times long and loud sound whistle (indicating distress situation) and asked them to retreat.  Boon Keat managed to communicate to them via walkie talkie and everyone started to retreat.  When I arrived at the scene with others, I noticed that Kam Meng and others were trying to help the fainted and weak person.  He seemed to be allergic to stinks from jungle wasp.  Later the fainted person managed to regain some consciousness and asked where the place to shit is.  His body was weak and some of us took him to a place nearby to shit.  Kenny and Chui Miew were asked to run as fast as possible to the starting point to call for 4WD for help.  I was asked to follow the second group comprising 3 lady hikers and 2 male hikers and to take them out safely.  One of the native guides followed the first group and the other followed the first group. 

 

After hiking for certain distance, the native guide decided to take us to another route which would enable us to avoid the jungle wasp.  Wincent decided to block the access road to the jungle wasp area.  I decided to tie a marking ribbon and put some notes to indicate our timing, and altitude.  This would enable the back group who were helping to bring the weak person out.  Halfway hiking I noticed that something was not right.  The guide was following us from behind.  To ensure that we reached the starting point safely without getting lost, I decided to switch.  At the point whereby everyone stopped for resting and I was tying the marking ribbon, I asked Kenneth to let the native guide to lead the way and control the pace i.e. to ask the guide to slow down, if necessary.  I’ll be following from behind and monitoring the pace of the whole group.  When necessary, I’ll tie the marking ribbon at rivers or junction and leave behind a note indicating the time and altitude.

 

Before reaching the starting point, the guide decided to rest at the hut and we continued without him as we already reached the logging trek i.e. out of the jungle trail.  The trail (logging trail) to the starting point was very clear and obvious.

 

Before reaching the native village, Chui Miew was already waiting for us and informed that Kenny had called the 4WD to come in to pick us up.  We arrived at the native village at 6.10 p.m. and at that time the 4WD already arrived. 

 

One hour plus later, noticed that Kam Meng, Boon Keat and Geok Wah coming out with the person who was stunk by jungle wasp in the 4WD.  The 4WD driver took the effort to go in to fetch them.  Everyone looks fine and according to Boon Keat, the person who was stunk by jungle wasp may need to consult doctor, if necessary, to avoid further complication at night.  He was fine and looked okay.

 

We departed from Pos Brooke at around 7.30 p.m. to friend’s house.  We had our dinner late at night.

 

Next morning, we lazed around Cameron Highlands before departing for Simpang Pulai and KL in the evening.

 

 

Overall

 

Quite a number of wet river crossings (probably more than 5 times). 

 

Rivers are easier to cross as compared to Mt. Tahan expedition (slippery rocks).

 

Luckily everyone was fine despite most of us got stunk by jungle wasp.  Some scary moments was when one of the team mate was fainting and on the verge of collapsing.  This was my first time witnessing such an incident.

 

Even though we did not reach the summit but we managed to come out safely and the team leader did the right thing by cancelling the trip as safety for everyone was the main priority to the group.

 

 

Author: LIM FANG HAU

Date:    16 October 2007