RAOC Gazette - page 310
Image details
| Corps | RAOC |
|---|---|
| Material type | Journals |
| Book page | |
| Chapter head | |
| Chapter key | |
| Chapter number | |
| Full title | RAOC Gazette |
| Page number | |
| Publication date | 1968 |
| Real page | |
| Colour | No |
| Grey | No |
| Early date | 1968 |
| Late date | 1968 |
| Transcription |
The RAOC on Kinabalu By FLIGHT LIEUTENANT R. SPRINGETT, RAF {attached Ordnance Directorate HQ Far East Land Forces) MOUNT KINABALU, in the Sabah National Park, East Malaysia, is 13,455 feet high and many local people still belteve the summit is sacred, as the resting place of the dead. The native name, " Ki-na-bahu " means u place ' or ' home * of the dead. During August 1968, a party of nineteen Officers and Soldiers, stationed in Singapore, made an attempt to reach the summit. Fifteen did so and the other four reached 11,500 feet. This is the story of their adventure. The party consisted of: From 3 Base Ordnance Depot— Capt. J. H. Downing. Cpl. D. A. Whitworth, Pte. D. C. Brad- ley, Pte. R. S. Podd, Pte. Adam and Pte. Faizal. From Head- quarters Far East Land Forces—fit. Lt. R. Springett, RAF, S/Sgt. F. P. Downs, S/Sgt. H. R. Howells and L/Cpl. Hotch- kiss From 3 Commando Brigade Ordnance Field Park—Capt. R. G. B. Watts, SSM J. Horbury, S/Sgt. B. J. Clarke, Cpl. Simpson, L/Cpl. W. L. Weaver and Pte. J. H. Fry. From Headquarters Singapore District—SQMS J. V, Sykes t SQMS E. A. Wedgebury and SQMS G. E, Rump. The party arrived at the Royal Air Force station Changi at about five in the morning of 12th August, and the aero- plane, a Bristol Freighter of the Royal New Zealand Air Force took off about eight Anduki was reached after a flight of four hours and we were met by personnel of the 2nd/2nd Gurkhas whose Commanding Officer provided transport for the journey to the airport at Brunei town, sixty miles away. There, we found that personal baggage on the flight to Kota Kinabalu,— the capital of Sabah, known formerly as Jesselton, — was restricted to thirty three pounds. We each had more than this so some had to be left behind in Bolkia Camp. At Kota Kinabalu, accommodation for the night was found in hotels at a cost around ten to eighteen dollars per double room. At this stage it was discovered that the fifty seven mile journey to the mountain was to be along what is little more than a jeep track for thirty five of those miles, so arrangements were made to hire two long-wheelbase Landrovers, and one trailer which would carry the kit. The journey started about noon on 13th August. There were ten passengers in one vehicle and nine in the other. After twenty two miles we reached the town of Tarnparuli, From there the track climbed steadily and after nine miles we had our first view of the mountain from the ground. The track continued to wind and climb in such a way that the vehicles were always in low gear and sometimes in four-wheel drive. Several stops were made—one at a small wayside cate where three astonished Malay girls served beer and soft drinks to the very hot and thirsty soldiers. As we climbed, however, there was a noticeable drop in temperature and when the Park Headquarters was reached, at about four, it was as low as 65 degrees fahrenheit. Accommodation in the hostel at Park Headquarters was insufficient for the whole party so the three Officers and two of the Senior Ranks slept in a partly completed hut. U was a stormy night with intermittent rain squalls—an ominous in- dication of what the conditions for the ascent would be. A guide was hired the next morning and, at eight o'clock, the ascent began in light rain and in a cold wind. Each mem- ber of the party carried a pack containing food, clothing and sleeping kit sufficient for the climb. The walk along the last two and a half miles of the jeep track took about forty minutes. No attempt was made to keep the members of the party to- gether so they soon formed into small groups each consisting of those with similar climbing ability. After the track came steps, flanked by thickly wooded slopes, and with the tread pegged by stout branches at the edges. They were irregular in rise and angle and this made climbing very tiring. We suffered these for most of the morn- ing—until we reached the first mountain hut, Carson's Camp, at a height of 8,500 feet. During this initial part of the climb, the rain forest changed to one of mountain oak, interspersed with large rhododendrons and then to a damp mossy forest in which a species of picture plant was hanging from the trees. After a brew-up at Carsons Camp, the climb was con- tinued to the Panar Laban hut, at a height of 11,500 feet, which was to be the over-night stopping place. During this stage, we passed through the lower cloud stratum, and into watery sun- shine. A strong wind blew all the time and a further drop in temperature was felt. At about 10,000 feet we came under the influence of the summit weather and found that, because of the lack of oxygen, it was necessary to take frequent short rests. Observant climbers noted, that at these altitudes, their path was clearly indicated by the presence of a small reddish-brown bird which hopped—about three paces ahead of them the whole time. This bird is the Kinabalu Friendly Warbler which is known only on this mountain and on Mount Trus Madi, thirty five miles to the south. By four o'clock, eight climbers had reached the Panar Laban hut and one other had gone further,—to the Sayat Say at hut, at 12,500 feet, just below the summit. Several others reached Panar Laban by six o'clock but, at that time, seven were still not accounted for. This caused con- cern as the weather was deteriorating and it was clear that a storm was on the way. By half-past- six, the hut was being lashed by rain and a forty mile-an-hour wind. It was not until the inhospitable night had fallen that one of the missing members of the party, a Malay soldier, arrived in company with the guide. He brought good news—that five of the party were safe at a small hut 300 feet below and would join the main group again at first light, and that one other, who had been affected by the altitude, had returned to Carson's Camp, Photo Fit. Lt, R. Springett AT THE SUMMIT OF MOUNT KINABALU Left to right— Back row: Suadin, the guide; SQMS Rump, SQMS Sykes, Pte. Faixal, Fit. Lt. Springett, Pte. Dodd. Centre: Capt. Watts, Pte. Bradley, Cpl. Simpson, Pte* Adam, L/Cpl. Weaver. Front row: SQMS Wedgebury (holding flag) and Capt. Downing. 260 At about this time the rain had become a downpour and the trickles of water on the rock face outside the hut had become raging torrents as tons of water cascaded down the mountain. We were thankful for the stoutness of the hut and for the care taken by those responsible for siting it. After taking tea, or very suspect coffee, to com- plete the evening meal, we took to our sleeping bags, on the bunks or on the floor, to try to sleep in a temperature of 35 degrees and to the sound of wind, rain and rushing water. The next morning at half past four we were roused by SQMS Sykes and soon after we had taken |
| Book number | R0238 |