IMAGES OF THE TRAILS FROM CAMP TO CAMP
The scenery would change like photo slides as we trekked from one camp to the next. So did the gradient which compounds the difficulty the team already faced with the torrential rain. It rained 3 days out of 6. :-( The trails became slippery and any misstep will mean a slide or a fall. Some slopes are 80 + degrees up or down and have to be ascended/descended with metal ladders. The slopes are very steep but not high enough to climb with harnesses or ropes.
Steep descend of cliffs and trekking on sides of slippery slopes posed great danger. Any mistake meant falling down the bottomless valley! Notwithstanding all the potential dangers it was one fantastic experience and perhaps a miracle that everyone completed this expedition safely albeit with the usual leech bites, cuts and minor bruises. :-)
Here are the scenes from Agathis Camp our first stop through to Nepenthes Camp - renamed from Carmel Trophy Camp. From here we trekked to Ginseng Camp before returning to Agathis Camp. And finally departing for Kota Kinabalu by road. Total trekking distance was 43 km over mountains and valleys.
GPS Map of the trek thru' Maliau Basin. By Chan Kin Hou
Welcome signage at Agathis Camp
Car Park a short distance from Agathis Camp
Agathis River alongside side the camp
The Agathis River cascades pass the entrance to the camp
Canvas bed dormitory style at Agathis Camp
Trail marker between Agathis to Nepenthes Camp
Forest Trail
Tree reaching for the sky.
Ginseng Camp
Double Decker bed with a thin mattress at Ginseng Camp
A mountain stream flowing down a steep hill approaching Ginseng Camp
One of numerous narrow bridges we had to cross
Climbing up one of a few ladders which are at almost 90 degree angle.
Photos courtesy of : Wong Horng Yih
Another 2 steep ladder to climb
The majestic Giluk Falls
Firewood, the only source of energy to cook our meals.
Tree top Observation Deck provide 360 degree view - Carmel Trophy Camp
Taking a short break at a rest point. Photo courtesy of : Jimmy Chew
Trail marker from Nepenthes to Ginseng Camp
Trail marker located 700m from Ginseng Camp showing direction and distance to Maliau Falls
Last trail marker indicating end of 6 days of trekking - Ginseng to Agathis Camp.
Suspension Bridge enroute from Agathis Camp to Maliau Studies Centre
Hostel and surrounding area- Maliau Basin Studies Centre
The A Team posing for the camera in KK before departing by 4WD vehicles for Maliau Basin.
Photos courtesy of Jimmy Chew.
Group photo at Ginseng Camp
Our 7 Day/6 Night expedition came to a successful end with an overnight stay at the very comfortable hostel of the Maliau Basin Studies Centre. We also had one of our best dinner spread in days here. After a most restful night we proceeded by road the next morning for Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, passing Keningau town and took-in some of most spectacular country scenes, from the highland meandering downwards. That same evening we boarded a flight home to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It was one fantastic adventure of a lifetime for all 16 members of team, all members of the Photogroup of the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS). A few of us are already making plans to return to Maliau Basin at the earliest opportune time. For all outdoor and nature loving buffs Maliau Basin is indeed THE place to mark down in your calendar. One tip, you need to be physically fit to 'tackle' Maliau Basin.
Thank you for 'following' me on this epic adventure which I hope you have enjoyed the pictorial journey as much as I have sharing them with you. Till the next time cheers to all!
