The Borneo Challenge 2007
The Borneo Challenge (Malaysia)
July 5th – 13th, 2007
This was G4G’s 21st Challenge.
This 9-day Challenge included kayaking in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, cycling around the Sabah Tea plantation, bamboo rafting in the Kuilu River and hiking to the summit of Mount Kinabalu (4,095m/13,450ft).
Level: Hard; good level of fitness required.
Registration fee: Dhs 1,850
Minimum sponsorship: Dhs 16,000/-
Assistance provided in advance by G4G: Fund-raising ideas; training & fitness suggestions; safety & medical advice; clothing & equipment advice.
What G4G provides on the Challenge: flights and transfers; hotels/tents; all food; guides; medical assistance & back up.
Essential to leave behind: Day-to-day problems.
Essential to bring: Determination & a sense of humour!
Day 1, Friday 6 Jul 2007 (Dinner)
Arrived at Kota Kinabalu by MH at 1210. Met with our friendly local leader; transferred and checked in at city hotel (3-star). Rejuvenated from the long-haul flights and got an early rest to get ready for the challenges ahead. 1930 met at hotel lobby. Then, led by our guide, walked to a nearby local eatery for welcome dinner with cultural show.
Day 2, Saturday 7 Jul 2007 (Breakfast/LBox/Dinner)
SEA KAYAKKING CHALLENGE
0800am Checked out and left the Hotel for Tanjung Aru Beach
0900am Kayak Challenge starts
Started from Beach to Mamutik Island (3KM)
Mamutik Island to Manukan Island (2KM)
Manukan Island to Sapi Island (4KM)
Returned to Tanjong Aru beach (9KM)
Total Coverage – 18KM – The sea condition in July was rough as it was the interchange of the monsoon season.
The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park consists of five islands – Gaya, Sapi, Manukan, Mamutik and Sulug. We lunched on Sapi Island, hopefully with time for snorkeling.
1500, departed by bus to RANAU and the SABAH TEA PLANTATION at NALAPAK Village, 150KM. Due to the hills and traffic, the journey took 2 ½ to 3 hours.
Overnight at Longhouse at Sabah Tea Plantation
Day 3, Sunday 8 Jul 2007 (Breakfast/Picnic Lunch/Dinner)
MOUNTAIN BIKING CHALLENGE around the Plantation
0800am Bike fitting and familiarity.
0900am Started the moderate route along the Plantation trails, ending at Sapoan River for a Picnic Lunch.
Returned to base via 2 river crossings on a different route.
Afternoon – Options
1/ A more difficult OFFROAD BIKING route OR
2/ Tea Factory visit and plantation walk.
Overnight in the Longhouse.
Day 4, Monday 9 July 2007 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
0830am Ride on main and quiet roads to Poring village. Total 20KM.
PORING Hot Spring – Explored nature trails and a canopy walk to observe bird and animal life and tried the hot spring, bathtub style, with sulphuric mineral water.
1200pm Lunch at Poring
1300pm Transferred by minibus to KUNDASANG (40Km)
1400pm From Kundasang War Memorial, walked 9KM mostly uphill to Mesilau Nature Resort.
Overnight at Mesilau Nature Resort hostel.
Day 5, Tuesday 10 July 2007 (Breakfast/LBox/Dinner)
0830am Treked from MESILAU TRAIL to Laban Rata Resthouse [Approx 8KM steep walk]
Overnight at 11,000feet at the LABAN RATA RESTHOUSE (Heated)
Important Note:
For the next day’s walk we need to bring: Waterproof and warm clothing, windbreaker, hat, gloves, extra thick socks, good torch (preferably a head-torch) as well as good trekking shoes.
Day 6, Wednesday 11 July 2007 (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)
0230am Morning Call
0300am Started the trek to the SUMMIT [2.7KM].
0600am Witnessed the sunrise, descended to Laban Rata Resthouse for breakfast.
Descended to TIMPOHON GATE, [6KM], then walked another 6KM to lunch and rested at Kinabalu Park Hostel
Day 7, Thursday 12 July 2007 (Breakfast/LBOX/Dinner)
PROVISIONAL PLAN
0900am Walked 4KM to the Don Bosco Childrens’ Home BUNDU TUHAN
1000-1200 Painted dormitories
1200pm Packed Lunch
1330pm Bus to Kuilu River BASE CAMP, Tamparuli District
1500pm Arrived and MADE OUR OWN BAMBOO RAFT
Camped beside KUILU RIVER.
1900pm In the overnight camp, a campfire and riverside barbecue buffet dinner.
Day 8, Friday 13 July 2007 (Breakfast)
0900am Packed and loaded luggage onto standby vehicles
1000am Finally checked Bamboo Rafts and Safety Briefing
Started our Bamboo challenge [2 persons in a raft]
Bamboo rafting is a traditional sport for natives and locals, considered as one of the most popular adventure sports in Sabah. The Bamboo Rafting took approximately 12 KM to the pull-out point with a stop for a swim at calm pools.
1200pm Transported to SHANGRI-LA TANJUNG ARU RESORT [5-STAR]
1330pm Celebration LUNCH hosted by the Resort. Rested and relaxed
1730pm Coach from Resort to airport
1800PM Arrived Kuala Lumpur Airport for flight MH at 1915
Climate
Malaysia is hot and humid all year. Temperatures are usually between 20-30°C (68-86°F); humidity is usually 90%. Rain, when it comes, generally interrupts the sunshine only briefly; most of it falls in short, strong bursts.
Health
No vaccinations required, unless coming form Africa or South America (Yellow Fever). Malaria cases are very rare in Borneo (most occur in logging camps and very remote areas).
Training
You will be walking/biking/kayaking for several hours per day, so it is important that you start a gym or training programme at least three months prior to the Challenge. Most gyms will be happy to assist you in achieving your fitness (and some may even help you fundraise!) We can also supply names and numbers of personal trainers, some recommended by previous Challengers and some who are ex-Challengers themselves.
The challenge is rated as strenuous, so you do need to be fit and healthy to participate.
Visas & Passports
Check your passport is valid for at least 6 months after you arrive in Malaysia. You should also have a couple of clean pages (no stamps!) left in the passport. Please contact Gulf for Good for further information as we may be able to organise a group visa for those who need a visa through the local ground handler.
Travel & Medical Insurance
Please make sure you have suitable coverage before leaving for Malaysia. If you already have a travel/medical insurance policy we will require a photocopy of your card/details on registration. If you require insurance for the trip we can arrange this for you, provided we have your signed proposal form and premium two weeks before departure. Further details are available on request.
Fundraising
Enclosed is a comprehensive fundraising booklet, containing hundreds of ideas – and G4G challengers have come up with more. It is always preferable to arrange fundraising “events” rather than ask family, friends and colleagues for money. Fundraising in this way increases your profile, creates more goodwill and raises awareness of the work of the nominated charities. The G4G office can give you names of previous Challengers who will be happy to offer advice and maybe even assistance.
Safety
We take your safety very seriously. It is our first and never forgotten priority. Please listen to your guides and follow their instructions.
Respect for the Environment
We maintain a firm commitment to conserve the areas we work in and ask you to do the same. Take only photographs and leave behind only footprints!
What We Supply
Return flights from Dubai, daily meals, water and accommodation. All your gear will be transported each day to the night stop, except daily necessities carried in your own daypack.
A Typical Day
A typical day varies according to the different terrain, disciplines and distance. However, you can expect a normal day to start at 6.00am with breakfast served around 7.00am, and departure by 8am. In the morning there is sually a 3-4 hour trek before the stop for lunch, followed by 2-3 hours in the afternoon. On arrival at the campsite there is time to relax, socialise or explore the area before dinner.
Special dietary requirements can be catered for with prior notice.
Personal Equipment
Travel light! Do limit the weight of your luggage on the trail to less than 15 kgs and less than 20 Kgs overall. All bags are to be clearly marked and lockable. Do not take or wear any valuables on the trip, it is best to leave them at home. Light clothing is recommended for hiking and should dry quickly, thus synthetic fibres are preferable to cotton. Be aware that the nights and early mornings can be cool.
Borneo Child Aid
Borneo Child Aid (BCA) is a local charity, helping the children of remote Sabah villages who do not have access to basic education. BCA currently has 60 teaching centres established in Sabah to provide underprivileged kids access to education that they otherwise would not receive. Funds raised by participants in this challenge supported this worthy cause by donating transportation to both children (buses) and teachers (motorbikes) to get them to the centres.
Visit http://www.borneochildaid.org or contact the Gulf for Good office for more information.
How to pack: Your clothes and equipment should fall into two following categories:
1. What you are going to wear and need on the tour. This should fit into a single bag and will be transported each day from site to site
2. What you are going to carry in your daypack.
Carry an extra T-shirt in your daypack. When you stop trekking you may feel cold after sweating and need to change your shirt or add a layer to prevent chills.
What to bring: (tick as you collect!)
Mandatory
- Walking Poles
Bags
- A lockable, good sized duffle bag or suitcase with a top length zipper & name tag.
- A light, small and comfortable daypack, preferably waterproof, to carry all small personal items needed during the day (sunscreen, extra T-shirt/jersey, energy bars, light-weight waterproof jacket, camera, toilet paper, antibacterial wipes, etc and some small change to buy refreshments at wayside shops).
Footwear
- Medium weight hiking boots, good quality, well water-proofed, new and spare laces.
- Several pairs of lightweight socks.
- Several pairs heavy socks, wool/polyester, worn over lightweight socks.
- I pair running type shoes, or sandals.
- 1 pair of sandals/comfortable shoes to wear at night to suit hotel and camping terrain
Underwear
- Several pairs regular underwear
Outerwear
- Waterproof, breathable jacket/Rain coat
- Waterproof, breathable pants.
- Warm jacket
- Wind shell/wind breaker
- Gloves
Pants
- 1 pair walking shorts, supplex nylon or similar.
- 1 pair long hiking pants, not cotton.
- Warm pants (long)
Shirts
- 3 T-shirts (or more), preferably quick-dry material.
- 1 long sleeve shirt, lightweight.
- 1 long sleeve shirt, warm.
Head
- Brimmed hat for sun and rain
Other
- A change of clothes for hotel nights
- Swim Shorts or Swimsuit
- Head lamp or flashlight, pocket sized
- Sunscreen, minimum 15 SPF
- Chap stick with sun block
- Sunglasses, and extra prescription lenses or contacts (very important)
- Personal wash bag (include wet wipes & a water free ‘hand wash’)
- Prescription medication
- 2 water bottles, 1 litre size.
Optional
- Snacks for the daypack
- Drinking Water
- Camera, still and/or video and film
- Reading material
Thoughts and ideas:
- Be kind to your feet! If you plan on purchasing new hiking boots do so well ahead of time and allow yourself time to break them in. Bring some extra moleskin or Second Skin (Compeed) for fast foot treatment, plus tape and watch out for blisters.
- A very good way to minimize the risk of blisters is to wear a thin liner sock under your regular thicker hiking socks. The liner sock should be made of a non-absorbent, wicking material, absolutely no cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
- Cotton is wonderful in warm weather, but once it becomes wet it drains your body heat. Plan on bringing at least one synthetic shirt that dries quickly.
- Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Use different sizes and colours to differentiate the contents. Plastic bags are also helpful to separate clean and dirty clothing.
- Always test your layers before the trip. Your outer layer should fit easily over the inside ones without binding and bunching up.
- If you normally wear contacts, bring a pair of glasses in case of eye irritation from dust.
- Some of the trails can be rutted and dusty. It is a good idea to pack camera equipment and binoculars in plastic bags to protect them from the dust. This is in addition to their normal cases. Also bring some lens cleaning material.
- Laundry is difficult on this trip but you can hand-wash a few quick-drying items.
- Make 1 copy of your passport and take it
- with you; we will have a second copy in our files.
Compulsory
A good attitude and a sense of humour!
