Day 1: 72 Hours

27/5/2011

Distance: 6.5 km, 3 hrs 18 mins, 1878 calories burnt, level of difficulty: easy

We set off from the Mulu Park Base Camp at around 1 pm, marking the start of 72 hours without any contact with the outside world. Mobile phones became redundant in the mountainous jungle.

We stocked up as much bottled water we could possibly carry. Of course there were also a stockpile of energy bars and supplementary drinks in our rucksacks if required.

The start was an easy 1.5 km walk along a nicely built wooden footpath before setting off for a 5 km jungle walk. We passed through two small streams with water level almost knee high requiring the boots to be taken off.

Apart from the long walk along a muddy trail, the other real challenge was how to ward off from leech attacks. This small creature, a native of the steamy jungle, could propel itself towards a trekker. Once attached, it will start doing its business - sucking blood until it get bloated, sometimes without the person even realising it.

The best protection is to wear a pair of leech socks which provides another layer of protection especially for the vulnerable lower leg. Then add this by spraying with whatever anti leach or insect repellents one could find from the drug store. Anything that could help will make the mind a little bit less tense as we navigate the muddy and sometimes poorly marked path.

We reached Camp 1, standing at just 150 m in elevation, a simple hut by a river. A quick dip in the cold river water really freshen up the tired body after the long and strenuous walk.

The night in the jungle was quite dark and noisy. After a simple meal, it was time to take the night sleep. Suddenly the night was animated by lightning and a heavy downpour. The sound of the swelling and torrential river below made us realise that we were really in the wild and felt really vulnerable.