JAPAKEH XX: Expedition to Mt. Buntul Gading (Day -5th)

The fifth day of the Expedition, Saturday 9 March 2024:

After receiving news from the expedition team, I was at ease and was able to determine the exact point of the team's whereabouts, and plans for the next camp at the peak of Bur Buntul Gading, which is one of the 3 peaks targeted for completion in the 20th JAPAKEH expedition. According to the topographic map analysis that I have, this peak will be densely packed with low shrubs and rattan before reaching the final climb to Puncak Buntul Gading. I am a little pessimistic that the team will reach the peak of Buntul Gading this afternoon. However, I would be relieved if they reached the start of the track to the top because this area would be filled with moss.

From the information they sent, the main water source they can get is from mosses, and I can confirm from the map that there is no water source along the saddle to Buntul Gading and can only rely on mosses.

On Saturday, March 9, 2024, the 5th day, the team targeted the peak of Bur Buntul Gading as the next camp area. After finishing breakfast of leftover rice from yesterday afternoon and enjoying coffee that had a slightly earthy aroma the team continued their journey to the summit of Buntul Gading which was the plan for Camp 5.

The thickets were very dense and made it very difficult to move to open the route, hampering the speed of our journey today. We divided the remaining 5 liters of water into 2, each carrying 2.5 L in foldable plastic jerry cans.

At noon the team rested and the distance from camp 4 had only reached approx. 750 m. Throughout the tiring journey, there wasn't much to see apart from the surrounding scenery which was occasionally clearly visible through the obscuring fog. We hope that it rains heavily so that our water supply is sufficient to complete this series of expeditions.

There were no large trees visible around the ridge we were passing, only low and tough trees. This type of tree is often found in open areas at altitudes of 2000 MASL. Although this type of plant is very good for firewood.

When we stopped to rest we could only consume a sip of water and nothing more. Because we have to be able to save the water supplies we have. On each similar, we only allocate 500 ml of water which should be enough for a maximum of 10 hours of travel. We do this to optimize water use, especially with limited water stocks like today. It was clear we were starting to feel dehydrated, although we were still coping well.

Approaching 6 pm, the peak of our destination was still several hundred meters in front of us, humans can only plan, but reality said otherwise. The tightness of the rattan bush paths was quite difficult for the team. Along the route, there were no traces of human or animal paths. As a result, after trying our best the team was only able to reach a distance of approximately 500 m from Bur Buntul Gading Peak after deciding to set up camp because it was already dark.

While setting up camp the team was surprised by an Orang Utan that was quite larger than usual and was approaching us, an adult male Orangutan that looked fierce. To him, we were just intruders who looked foreign. Thankfully this Orangutan did not attack us who were trying to set up camp for the night.

The water factor is also an obstacle at this camp. Even though they encountered 3 small waterways on the route, they were all dry, so the team decided to survive again using moss water sources.

^{The red arrow is predicted the last position of the expedition team}

That night the team was surprised by the sound of a bear quite close to our camp area while resting. Due to this incident, we decided to light a bigger campfire to prevent wild animals from approaching the camp area. We try to be as calm as possible and remain alert to all possibilities. However, the team decided to make shifts every 3 hours to anticipate emergencies.

Team D-Track, Saturday 9 March 2024 at 18:30

As expected, no reports were submitted to the D-track team. Most likely they are still at the beginning of the track to the top of Buntul Gading. Meanwhile, I estimate their condition is still fine and the main problem is the lack of water. I also summarized the report that I would send to the Ise-Ise Police, Central Aceh.

Best regards

El-Nailul
D-track Coordinator