A trip that been waited for several months, as Yong Belar will be the 1st G7 for ODA to attempt on 2010 after the completion of G7. The excitement, anxiety arise everyday as it is approaching closer. ODA reminded each other to have some training for coming Yong Belar trip, especially for myself. Looking back ODA trip Calendar, there's only ONE summit I reached out from 6 Mountains we have went on 2010.
The idea of bringing Puffy along stuck me for quite some time as Sian Seong informed me that he will not be able to hike along plus Chian Nii is on ODA vacation. However, PST insisted that we must give Puffy a try even though we'll be short of hand to look after Puffy.
On the actual date of expedition, PST and me were checking out ODA equipments. There's not much to be done as we have done the equipments' condition checking a week before, except some food packing, rice cooking, sauce filling up and loading tasks. Where is all the ODAs? Compare to last year, ODA G7 is never been this quiet. We always have enough hands to do all the preparation, does it has come to stage that ODA no longer percepts G7 is an important trip because we've completed it, started to forget about being humble and well prepared for each trip? Text message reminders and blessing from Fu Yaw and Sian Seong have reminded me that no matter what happen, ODA trip is always ON.
1)
As the trip started, it didn't give us a good sign as heavy rainfall along the way....
2)
Hilux almost stuck at cabbage farm, luckily we have a few real strong arm to push hilux crossed over
3)
Trail been covered up by ferns which required strong arms to clear the trail
4) PST and LCL half body stuck in the mud
5) Adrian missed step and almost fell to the mountain edges
6) Behind schedule on planned destination/check point
Finally it came to decision making moment. Looking at each of the member's eyes, I saw disappointment because we're not even close to witness and taste the greatness and beauty of this mountain. In fact I felt very disappointing and very sorry to each of the member on the incident.
The difficult decision to make is in between:
Option 1: Staying around the trail area and keep finding for the right trail
Option 2: Abandon the expedition and back to civilization.
Pros and cons of option 1:
Pros : We might managed to discover the trail and able to proceed.
Cons: a)The risk will involved night walking in the jungle and how long it will take for us to reach our destination after long hours exhaustion of trail searching.
b) Are we prepared for any unexpected situation such as another trail blocking at night and what are the backup we have?
Pros and cons for Option 2:
Pros : Safety
Cons : Incomplete expedition, disappointment, time and resources wasted.
This is the 1st time in ODA history that we'll have an incomplete expedition after 5 years of having good blessing on mission accomplished every time. We are so called outdoor people, risk taker. What are we if we ever quit the expedition. What the perception of others' towards ODA reputation and credibility?
Despite all the internal argument with own conscious and subconscious mind, I finally decided to
call off the expedition and return to civilization based on the expedition goal we have "
Safety"as the weather is not at our side, there is no sign of trail that allow us to proceed no matter how many different directions we have tried and it is for sure we will reach campsite at late night which this is something ODA tried to avoid all these years.
Although we are adventurous, but safety issue is always our priority.
Even though non of us talk about the disappointment while as usual we enjoy the after trip clean up at the dam, but the certain moment of silent on each of the member express all the implicit feeling they are having.
While waiting for the rest to ready to leave, there are few question arise :
1) What we have done incorrectly?
2) Which part we've missed out?
2) How to retrieve the trail?
3) Where shall I get the info
4) Who shall I ask along on retrieve trip?
5) The next 4 remaining months on 2010, When we will have extra weekend for the return?
6) Do it as ODA way - 2 days or other hikers' way - 3 days?
Well, let's gather all ODA and come up with the optimum decision and action.
It's time to accept the reality that the mission is incomplete but we shall not allow the reality to defeat us.
We will come back soon - Gunung Yong Belar.
My appreciation to each of the trip members for your tolerance and understanding on the incident plus being supportive and motivating during trail blazing/finding moment.
The trail that clear out by Chee Loong, Tata, Weng Kit and PST which allow us to get further and further each time is something that keep on motivating me to hold on and proceed.
The cold joke by Chee Loong on throwing the camera to the sky to snap the trail photo really help us to be able to laugh once again during the difficult moment.
The good photo taken by Adrian printed lots of good memories on this special expedition.
The stay back to watched out our belongings and information collection from different direction by Wai Kit, Tar Wei and Phei Ying helped a lots.
Most importantly, each of us have put our best efforts to cleared out the trail and push on as long as we see there is a slim chances to proceed.
It's a GREAT trip having each of you along, despite the unsuccessful Yong Belar trip, but we have a successful G.Irau trip on next day.
My apology to each of you on the incompleteness.
A promise from me that soon ODA will able to retrieve the trail and each of us will return to G.Yong Belar.
