2. Trekking from Agathis Camp to Camel Trophy Camp (07/07)

We left Studies Centre in two vehicles after our visit to Sky Bridge. Accompanying us were two rangers, Muis and Bill. Our first destination was Agathis Camp where we could leave our excess luggage and return at the end of our trek in Maliau Basin. The road to Agathis Camp was the same as the earth track we took the day before from the Security Point to Studies Centre. From Agathis Camp we would commence our first trek to Camel Trophy Camp, also known as Nepenthes Camp.

Our first trek from Agathis Camp to Camel Trophy Camp was a very tough and challenging one. Thetrail is about 7.5km long but the first portion is a steep incline up the rugged mountain slopes. With installed climbing ropes and ladders we managed to reach the top of the mountain in over two hours. As the humidity was high and the temperatures in the mid 80s, we were soaked to the core with sweat. I finished more than a liter of my drinking water (1.5 liter). The remaining of the trail was easy and we made it to Camel Trophy Camp at about 3pm. (At the end of our trek in Maliau Basin, I was informed by ranger Bill that if one could make it to Camel Trophy Camp from Agathis Camp, he/she could complete the rest of the treks without any problem).

The start &The end of our first ordeal

The easy trail Along the steep climb, we were too concerned about the safety of our every step that we took very little notice of the environment around us but we did hear the chorus of birds, insects and gibbons. It was only along the easy trail that we began to appreciate the environment that we were trespassing.

Sweating profusely on the steep climb

Tropical rainfarest

Camel Trophy camp & View from watch tower

Camel Trophy Camp is a 2-storey timber structure with bunk beds for about 15 visitors. It has a shower/toilet room with a basin and three toilets. We were the only occupants on that day. Though it has solar electricity, it was not available when we were there. We were told that the solar system was switched off after the previous visitors had left the premises - quite unbelievable! So we had to have our dinner early and went to sleep before 9pm when the Camp was in total darkness until early the next morning.

Located behind the Camp is a 30m high observation platform near the top of an Agathis tree. In the early evening after we had quite recovered from the day’s strenuous trek, three of us (Kenny, KC and I) ascended the platform to view the surrounding forest canopy.

Our itinerary for the day in Camel Trophy Camp includes visiting Takob Akob and Giluk waterfalls. But for various reasons the visits to the two waterfalls were completely forgotten. It was early the next morning that some of us decided to trek to Giluk waterfall before departing for Ginseng Camp. Kenny, KC, Laura and I left for Giluk after breakfast at 8am. We took an hour to reach our destination.

We were only at the upper tier of the Giluk Falls. More spectacular view of the Falls is at the bottom where one can admire a more than 20m fall amidst the lush vegetation. But we were told that it was difficult to go down the steep slope and with time constraint, we had to return to the camp to proceed to our next destination – Ginseng Camp.

Pg 2

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