Trip to Ulu Sedili

Lokasi/Location    :    Hutan simpan Ulu Sedili Batu 28 via Acacia
Tarikh/Date          :     23 - 25 April 2011
Kenderaan/4x4    :      1) Grand Jeep Cherokee Atan, Aman & Noh
                                  2) Toyota Hilux Ady, Aboy, Ady Jr, Ali XXX &  adik Pyan
                                  3) Toyota L2@kakpah Panjang, Faridul, Azmi & Mahmud
                                  4) Jeep Cherokee Pyan, Ajib, Cek Mat Jati, Ismahali Anuar
                                  5) Mitsubishi Pajero kontot Loko, co-pilot Kecik
                                  6) Daihatsu Rocky Nuar, co-pilot Abang Abon
Kronologi             :     Bertolak dari Parit Raja pada pukul 11 malam dan berhenti di Shell Kluang untuk mengisi minyak kerana lepas ni dh xde 'pump' minyak yg bukak tgh2 malam ni. Jeep Atan pulak x mau idup, coil punya hal, panas skit je x bley, keta org putih la katakan. Setelah kecik menghabiskan 5 batang rokok, baru lah jeep atan blh start dh kami pon berkonvoi terus ke Ladang Acacia Tenggaroh. On the way tu ada 3 roadblock, satu kt Kg. Rahmat Kluang, satu kt simpang  Nitar dan last sekali kt Tenggaroh sebelom stesen minyak BHP, alhamdulillah pihak polis memberikan kerjasama yg baik dan menyokong usaha murni kami dalam me'lestarikan keindahan hutan dan memelihara alam semulajadi ciptaan Allah S.W.T. Sampai di pintu masuk Ladang Acacia lebih kurang pukul 2 pagi, selepas mendapat 'boarding pass', kami dibenarkan masuk dan terus bergerak kedalam kawasan hutan simpan Ulu Sedili.
               Di sepanjang perjalanan kami terpaksa berhenti lebih dari 12 kali untuk kerja2 pemotongan pokok yang melintang kt tgh2 jalan dan sampai di sungai pertama pada pukul 4 pagi, kami terpaksa cross the river lah memandangkan malas nk potong + tarik balak pagi2 buta tu utk buat jambatan.

                                             Ali@Lan XXX is our photographer

                                            Grand Cherokee Atan, 4 litre

                   Kecik dan Nuar tgh main air sementara tunggu Jeep Atan turun

                   Alhamdulillah, xde masalah semasa river crossing, kenderaan masing2 cemerlang bersama-sama dengan pilot dan co-pilot berendam dalam sungai sambil tarik 'winch' dan kami meneruskan perjalanan dan sampai ke sungai kedua iaitu campsite dimana ianya adalah lokasi bagi Rainforest Challege 2010.

                                                       Abang Abon   

                                                         Kecik
                          
                      Alhamdulillah kami sampai di campsite pada pukul 5.30 pagi, loading barang dan pasang khemah, bersihkan diri, solat subuh berjamaah, Atan dan Abon pon terus menyiapkan sarapan pagi iaitu lontong daging kicap berkuah kacang. Selesai makan, perut dh kenyang maka mata pon mintak nak lelap sebab badan dh letih campur mengantuk, jarak perjalanan lebih kurang 150km dan tempoh perjalanan selama 7 jam. Setting tempat tido dan terus ZZZzzzzzzz.......

                                             masing-masing pengsan

                                           Ajib makan sambil tido, dasyyaattt

             Aktiviti pagi tu, macam biasa, mandi sambil jungle trekking, amik2 gambar, bagi makan ikan dan macam2 lagi la. Alhamdulillah Allah izinkan kami sampai di salah satu tempat yg cantik dan damai untuk kami me'release kn tension kerja, merehatkan minda sambil memuji kebesaran Allah yg telah menciptakan hutan ini untuk manusia jaga bersama, kekalkan ke'originalannya tumbuhan dan pokok2, kehidupan2 yg mendiami didalamnya supaya ianya terus kekal mengimbangi ekosistem alam semulajadi.

               Kami berkesempatan untuk 'jungle trekking' selama 3 jam jarak perjalanan dan keadaan persekitaran masih lagi bersih, tiada sampah sarap seperti plastik, tin2 kosong. Dengan airnya yg bersih dan sejuk memang menjadi idaman kami semua untuk berendam, berendam dan mandi manda sepuasnya, Kalau lah kt belakang rumah ada jeram macam kt Ulu Sedili ni, syok wooo mandi.
               Rasa macam x puas bila pagi ahad muncul sebab dh nk kena balik, masing2 dh terbayang kebisingan jalanraya, kepala otak tersumbat lagi la jawabnya dengan beban kerja dan macam2 lagi, tapi apakan daya, balik mesti kena balik, klau x balik kang anak bini nak makan apa. Selepas siap berkemas, pagi tu kami bersarapan nasi berlaukkan ikan baung, tengas, sebarau, tiger dan berjenis2 lagi la. Rutin biasa kami, kemas tempat perkhemahan, kumpul sampah sarap, bungkus dan bawak balik. Mana sampah2 lama tu kami tanam, kebersihan kena jaga sebab kita cuma menumpang tido kt dalam hutan tu, klau x kang 'owner' x bagi lagi kita berehat kt dlam hutan.

                             ekor sebarau sampai terkeluar dari pinggan atan

           Makan kenyang2 sahabatku, lepas ni kena tarik winch sambil main selut pasir la ape lagi. Cuaca alhamdulillah x panas dan x brape ujan, tapi nk lepas sungai 2 dan 1 tu boleh tahan la cabarannya.

                                      Faridul tengah merangkak

                                        Q untuk di tarik

                                 4 litre pon kena tarik tau klau dh berselut camtu

                                           Land 2 aka kakpah

                                           Pajero konto Loko

                                                        rocky champion

                                    cantik x, best x......sape yg nk follooooww

              sampai kt sungai satu pon, winch juga sbb tanah dh jadi bubur, bukan nasi ek.

                                      orang2 kuat, all men in black

                                       jeep pyan

          lepas settle suma 6 bijik river crossing tu, kami relaks2 dulu kt campsite tu, jam pun baru pukul 1 tengahari, sempat kami sume mandi manda dulu, orang pertama yg turun mandi ialah cek mat, dia memang pantang tgk air, klau x mandi boley demam katanya. Bila badan dh bersih, cermin keta pon dh bersih, kami bertolak balik ke Parit Raja. Selamat tinggal Ulu Sedili, panjang umur, diizinkan Allah sampai lagi la kami ke sini. Keindahan dan kedamaiannya memang menjadi kenangan dan pengalaman yg hebat buat kami semua. Bila agak2 kepala tu dh sumbat, ape lagi kawan2......jom la kita masuk hutan. Next trip.....akan d bincangkan, jumpa lagi sahabat.

 
                                   

Kursus Asas Pemanduan Lasak Pacuan 4 Roda, Stage One (Beginner)

Perkara     :   Kursus Asas Pemanduan Lasak Pacuan 4 Roda
Sasaran     :   15-20 Staf UTHM (pilot)
Peringkat   :   Stage One/Asas (Beginner)
Lokasi       :   Taman Negara Endau Rompin Selai, Bekok, Johor
Tarikh        :  23 & 24 April 2011, (2 hari, 1 malam)
Anjuran      :  PR 4x4 "Big Whells" Club

5 Things You Need to Survive the Rainforest Challenge, Text by Ariel Chew, Photos by Zainal Abidin Othman & VM Bank for Virtual Malaysia e-Tourism Portal

Text by Ariel Chew, Photos by Zainal Abidin Othman & VM Bank If you are a 4WD enthusiast, chances are you have heard of the indomitable Rainforest Challenge.  Held in December every year since 1997, the Rainforest Challenge has been the Holy Grail of the one of the world's toughest 4WD endurance competitions.  The Formula 1 of 4WD, so to speak.   This adventure event is laden with competitive Special Stages (SS) along the way for the serious 4x4 enthusiasts, who love the dream of taking on a jungle adventure with all its hardship, endurance and extremities. It is for those who welcome the sweat, the mud, the rain-soaked jungle, the humidity, the insects, the creatures of the night, the fellowship of other 4x4 fans, the teamwork, and the unique camaraderie.   You may have even entertained thoughts of participating in it and are wondering if you qualify.  Fret not, we have listed five things you need to survive and enjoy the Rainforest Challenge experience.
	1	A Suitable Vehicle
	It can be very challenging just getting from one campsite to another. So, even if you are just joining as a tourist, you need an engine powerful enough to pull your truck's body over mud holes, etc. You need tires that can breeze through slippery and rough terrains. If you are a competitor, you need a short and heavily modified vehicle to help you complete the Special Stages. Toyotas, Pajeros, Landrovers and Suzukis are time-tested favourites. If you do not have a suitable vehicle, you can hitch a ride with any participating 4WD clubs like the 4x4 Lipan Bara club in Kota Bahru, Kelantan and not miss out on the fun! Competitor 4WDs - short and heavily modified bodies.  Touring 4WDs - tough and extremely capable. Other vehicles can join in the fun, too!

	2	A Good Support System
	If your vehicle breaks down, you need help to fix it in the jungle. If it can't be fixed, you'd need someone to help tow you out to the nearest workshop in town. That's why you need at least one or two other support cars in your group. Travelling in a group or convoy is also a safety measure.  There are rules to follow such as turning your headlights on whenever you are travelling in a convoy and having the lead vehicle maintain radio contact with the sweep (last vehicle) at regular intervals. You also have the responsibility of making sure the vehicle behind you is on the same track by checking if they are visible or contactable by radio.  If they are not visible or contactable, inform the lead vehicle of your intention to stop to wait for the vehicle behind. The lead vehicle will then advice the vehicles in front of you to slow down or stop. Always inform the lead vehicle of your intentions to stop as the following vehicles behind you could run into you and not see you due to a sharp corner or heavy dust.  Bust a tire?  Got stuck in a muddy rut? No sweat, if your support system is there to help you, that is.

	3	Proper Camping Equipment
	Camping in the wilds is not as daunting as it seems.  Not when you have 4WDs around.  Unlike travelling by foot, you can carry any creature comforts that you want.  You absolutely do not have to worry about how much it all weighs - if it fits into the truck, you can bring it!  It’s amazing to see how many things you can stuff in a truck.  Ours had a huge gas stove, tables and chairs which resembled an enviable food stall when it was all ensembled. Some of the vehicles even come equipped with fridges where they can enjoy ice-cold drinks in the middle of a scorching day and fresh meat for meals.  Others come with showers, luxurious mattresses, espresso machines and even a full-blown karaoke set.  It’s really up to your imagination and how comfortable you want your camp to be! But here are the absolute essentials – camping beds, sleeping bags, ropes, strings, poles (to hold up the fly sheet), knives, fly sheets, tent, and cooking utensils. Also, don’t forget the insect repellent, suitable rubber shoes and boots to wade through all that mud. Nothing beats camping with 4WD!

	4	Patience
	There's a lot of waiting time in the jungle. And tensions run especially high in competitions.  It is common to hear a lot of yelling and shouts of exasperation between pilots, co-pilots and the marshals during the SS challenges.  Later on, you realise that you’ll either have to hold your temper in check or risk losing your voice (and friends!).  Once your voice is gone, it’s almost impossible to compete any longer.  It is no coincidence that the participants who return time after time have two traits in common – they are coolheaded and they are crazy enough to subject themselves and their vehicles to such extreme challenges over and over again. It helps to have a cool head in the jungle.

	5	Multiple Skills
	The Rainforest Challenge is all about man and machine overcoming the challenges Mother Nature dishes out to them.  A 4WD enthusiast is a jack of all trades and an adequate practitioner of each. To survive, one must be able to safely and confidently handle their 4WD vehicle in harsh off-road conditions – over mud, sand, rocks, rivers, deep ruts, and hills.  You need to know how to handle obstacles and the proper recovery techniques such as towing stalled vehicles, winching, when and how to use the kinetic strap, making alternative tracks and simple bridge building.  Having an intimate knowledge of the car’s off-roading capabilities is also a must – this includes being familiar with its limits in hill climbs, descents, ramp break-over angle, wading depths and such. Being far away from auto repair workshops, you would need to know how to perform basic vehicle repairs and maintenance in the jungle. As such, prior planning is crucial – you need to bring the right equipment for maintenance and for recovery e.g. spare parts, kinetic straps, winches, snatch blocks, hi-lift jacks, etc. Mother Nature always wins, men just need to work their way through her.

So there you have it, the five crucial things you need to participate in the next Rainforest Challenge. Good luck!  I’m sure you’ll have the most unforgettable time of your life there!

You could be in the picture of the next Rainforest Challenge...