Steve rang the helicopter crew in Kota Kinabalu to explain that all was well and the team would be in a position to be lifted out at 0900 hrs.
At 1100 hrs an unscheduled mobile phone, was received from the team in the gully, it stated that the weather in the gully had meant that they could not be lifted. The Expedition Leader then contacted the helicopter crew and was informed that they would try again at first light the next morning. The team in the gully was contacted at 1900 hrs and informed that they needed to be ready at first light to be extracted.
24th 0600 hrs both the British and Belgian team were extracted by helicopter and flown to Melankap Tamis. The expedition team members were reunited at 1600 hrs at Park HQSteve Whitlock then decided at this stage to remain at Park HQ for the nights of the 24th & 25th prior to re-climbing the mountain in order to remove expedition equipment.
Expedition members re-climbed the mountain on the morning of the 26th Apr. The 27th and 28th were spent on the mountain recovering the ropes to the east of Commando Cauldron and climbing Low's Peak and exploring the Western Plateau. The 29th was spent carry expedition equipment back down the mountain overnighting at Park HQ. The 30th saw a move to Sabah Outward Bound near Kota Kinabalu for a jungle trek. 1 st May was spent in Kota Kinabalu prior to flying out on the 2nd at 0420 am.
TRANSPORT & TRAVEL The largest expedition expense was the flights out of the UK which were at £570 each. Flights used by the expedition included a 11-12 Hr flight from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpa and a 3 Hr flight from Kuala Lumpa to Kota Kinabalu. Several other options for flights exist but this route was found to be the cheapest. This route does not involve an overnight stop and thus conserves expedition time. Malaysia is 7 Hrs ahead of the UK. Individuals were allowed a maximum of 20Kg hold luggage and up to 5 Kg hand luggage. With some early negotiation this was increased by 5 Kg. The hand luggage was not weighed.
Transfers in country were mainly by taxi. Local taxis and buses were found extremely convenient and relatively cheap. A taxi from Kota Kinabalu to Kinabalu Park HQ was 150 RM for 8 people (approx £20). This involved a 2 Hr Journey. In many instances transport would be free of charge as locals often picked up anyone waiting at obvious bus stops.
Due to the generally deprived nature of local industry transport could be arranged from anyone with a vehicle. Most locals were with some bartering willing to negotiate reasonable rates
ACCOMMODATION
A variety of acommodation was used throughout the expedition. This ranged from a good hotel in Kota Kinabalu, where expedition members recovered from the flight, to a metal hut at 3800m at Sayat Sayat. Nights in the gully were spent in hammocks. The cost of accommodation ranged from 380 RM to 12 RM / person /Night. The huts at Sayat Sayat and on the Western Plateau generally come complete with a healthy rat population. The rats were generally friendly although were busiest during the hours of darkness.
AIR FREIGHT
Due to the large amount of equipment necessary for the expedition some airfreight proved necessary. This cost around £ 3-5/kg with a handling charge of around £50. This proved a cheaper method of moving equipment than £20/kg, which was the rate at which excess baggage is charged. Collection of this freight proved difficult due to the amount of paperwork, which had to be completed in Malaysia. Use of a letter from the Malaysian Government, clearing the exercise, seemed to smooth the path through customs. Malaysian red tape has to be experienced to be believed.
DOCUMENTATION
As with most Asian countries documentation and red tape were important. The following documentation was essential: Passport Insurance Certificate from BCRA(in order to gain climbing permits) Prior to ascending the Mt Kinabalu the expedition had to pay for walkers insurance (essential for all who ascend Kinabalu) which it then had to indemnify itself from using on a separate form which gave permission for climbers??!! When queried the logic of this system was lost in translation.
TRAINING
Due to the complexity of the expedition pre training was essential. It gave individuals the skills they required and built team spirit. Training amounted to a total of 3 weekends with some additional individual refresher training. Canyoning techniques and up to date safe pull-through techniques were practised extensively prior to entering the gully. All members of the expedition including reserves were involved in all aspects of the training. Final team selection did not take place until the day before the descent when the state of each individual was known at the top of the mountain.
EQUIPMENT
A large part of the expedition expenditure was made on equipment essential for the descent of the Gully. In order to make a safe descent it was essential to leave anchors behind. Parangs/Machetes were borrowed from the Park HQ. Sabre 7 personal locating beacon and emergency equipment was carried the helicopter crew did not want the team in the gully to activate the Sabre unless absolutely necessary. A strobe and identification panel was used to call in the helicopter.
RELATIONS WITH SABAH PARK HQ
The expedition went along way to rebuild bridges with the Sabah Park authorities. The efforts by two local Malaysians namely Tengku Adlin (President Sabah Society) and Martin MaGurung(Head Park Warden Kota Kinabalu) meant that the expedition had little problem in gaining the necessary permission in order to attempt the descent. Other expeditions wishing to visit the same area should contact Sabah Parks for advice.
RECCOMENDATION FOR FUTURE EXPEDITIONS
Further Descents of Low's Gully should not be attempted. The local weather conditions are not predictable enough to be successful. If an expedition was caught in the lower stretches of the gully the consequences could be fatal.