Archive for June, 2009

So in the last few days I took a trip out to Imbak Caynon with 2 PMs on a project planning visit (PPV) Basically they have to do all the official stuff, risk assess, kit required, check local amenities, routes in/out and casivac plans etc. 4 days in total to get it all done and stop people getting sued.
I was just tagging along to see what the projects are all about. The trip was 10hours from KK (Kota Kinabalu) bus station, half of which was off-road via 4×4.
We stayed in Ranger camp on the first night along with all the dodge jungle insects and noises…
The camp is a decent setup and even has wireless internet, Computers, TV, Sky & A Fridge. The rangers aren’t stupid, most from educated backgrounds and know their jungle stuff.

Waiting for Transport across the River

Logging Yard

Insects

Ranger Camp

Ranger Camp Fridge

We trekked out to BBC Camp (where the BBC setup shop in 2005 to film and do research), the camp is pretty battered but understandable due to the wet conditions. On route there were a number of annoying leeches, these little things are cleaver and seem to get everywhere and onto bare skin with ease. I did supply a good blood donation, but finally got my revenge on a couple. We checked out the BBC camp and stayed there for a night, the weather is sporadic and does random things, it hammered down rain all night but then complete sunshine in the morning.

BBC Camp

Imbak Canyon

Leech Feed

A day later we trekked back to Ranger camp and got a ride back into Telupid (where the main west to east highway goes through) passing over some mega bumpy roads, the PM’s I was with had some different opinions and did a lot of debating, but I just zoned out and made the most of my iPod, also useful for blocking a range of annoying noises like mozzi (mmmzzzzzzzzZZZZZ) in the ear and snoring. Snoring drives me 100% crazy at night and gets me worked up when I have to suffer while someone’s drilling away happily in the land of nod completely oblivious to it.
There was a 5 hour wait at Telupid bus station, somehow all the buses were always full or the wrong ones we had tickets for and in the end just jumped on the next free one and paid again (£6)

Rangers

Telupid

Not sure what’s happening next, my roles a bit vague as I have to see all the project sites and fit in with what transports going where…

The 21st June was a bright and early start for everyone with a 07:00am bus pick up to TAC, (Traverse Adventure Centre) an hour’s drive away, here everyone would learn about the jungle, including practical lessons on radio, first aid, camp craft and cooking. This was a two night trip sleeping out in hammocks and trekking directly into the jungle.

Campcraft Training:

Cooking:

The trek into a Jungle camp was only 5km, but took over two hours to get there, the humidity, terrain and vegetation makes trekking difficult, with the added weight carrying the group kit for the camp, water cans, washing bowls, food, cooking utensils, med kit, radios, GPS and a large tarpaulin wrapped around a long piece of bamboo and carried between two (fairly heavy and awkward)
The campsite spot had been used before, so vegetation was broken down and there were some gaps in the canopy but still surrounded by thick vegetation, with a few tracks to get between the main eat, cooking and communal area and the sleeping location about 50/100metres away.

Jungle Camp:

The Tarp:

Sleeping arrangements consisted of setting up bashers, hammocks and mosquito net (which took a while to get it right) for a comfortable night’s sleep… (Or as best as) ants were the main problem, not one spot wasn’t plagued by them, although they were just common black ants (fortunately not fire ants) they got on everything and were irritating. Rain was intermittent and the noises at night where something from a nature relax CD. The trek back in the morning was on flat ground with a few “oh this is ok” comments, which always meant something wasn’t quite right, (nothing is that easy) surprisingly round the corner, there was a “casualty” which immediately didn’t add up and with a brief walk down to the other team, another one (2 medics down), meaning some ‘casivac’ drills. (Seen it all before) Going through all the procedures, fortunately having a “STOP” just after we started carrying out the casualty on the bamboo and hammock stretcher.
After the trek out it was straight on the coach back to Raleigh field base where project teams were selected and preparations for the Project Planning Visit (PPV) started…

Jungle Hammock:

Staff Team:

Wildlife:

So an update! I wish that I had the time to actually update this more often, in the first week before all the project managers (PM) arrived there was some relaxed feelings with all the advance field base staff and not too many jobs to get done. On the 19th another 13 staff turned up to be greeted out the front of the Raleigh field base, after they were picked up from the “step-inn” lodge and airport. Since then the the field base has got more and more manic, with questions flying around and things needing to be done.
After a few days of everyone getting over their jet-lag and a number of training sessions, including radio & comms, health and safety, site risk assessments, in-depth information on projects and day-to-day field base operations. There were a few days of cramming in the information, but with breaks here and there.
In the evening we had a few nights out at the local pub (The Brass Monkey) with a trip to Kota Kinabalu (20th June) for food at the Pilipino Market (Tiger Prawns & Noodles) followed by a drinks on the waterfront (western strip).

Project Managers Arrive

Pilipino Market

One of the first “group” style shots! Hopefully when things pick up there will be a few more decent photo sets!

Staff:
2x Logistics, 1x Medic, 1x Accountant, 1x Project Managers, 1x Communications Officer, 1x Deputy Program Manager, 1x Photographer (me!)

Permanent Staff:
1x Country Directory, 1x Program Manager, 1x Recruitment, Support & Media (Everything!)

After a pick up by the Raleigh 4×4, it was a short ride from the Step Inn Hostel at KK to the Raleigh Field base, this is basically a massive house in Lintas (a few miles away) where all the staff work and operate from, before, during and after deployment onto the projects. First impressions is that it could do with some maintenance and maybe a lick of paint, but later understanding that the budget doesn’t really allow it, the terms “beg, steal or borrow” for everything is key, the least that can be spent, the more that can be done, not necessary with the field base but on projects as well.

After a couple of days in the field base, It’s a case of taking in the general functioning and organisation of the projects, what’s expected and any questions answered. At present due to the photography role, there is some “hang slack” time, which would be wise to make the most of, as you never know what’s going to happen! The other staff members will turn up in 6 days time for the 2weeks training.

Fieldbase

Fieldbase Kitchen

Fieldbase Storeroom

Raleigh 4×4