Self catering
;)
;)
;)
;)
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Rainforest Challenge 2005 news
RFC News
WE are pleased to inform you that the Russians are the first
European team to have confirmed their entry for RFC 2005. More news updates
coming.
WE are pleased to inform you that the Russians are the first
European team to have confirmed their entry for RFC 2005. More news updates
coming.
Friday, February 18, 2005
Wildreness explorer 2005
Wilderness Explorer, organizers of the Rainforest challenge, announce the 2005 schedule:
For that journey back in time across the wild, rugged western
frontiers of China, the Yellow River cradle of Chinese civilisation and
Shangrila - Tibet experience, we present herewith our 5 journeys of
exploration and discovery in China for 2005.
These mini series are for those who have limited time but wish to be
pampered all the way as well as to savour the march of time, history and
culture.
All ground arrangements including airport transfers, logistics, internal
travel permits, passes for historical sites, meals, refreshments, hotel and
camping arrangements are catered for. The mode of transport will, of course,
be in 4x4s from China (seated comfortably in Toyotas and Nissans).
All five routes exclude international flights to China. Those interested,
please contact our secretariat for further details.
The 12-Day Wild West Northern Xinjiang Getaway
(13th June to 24th June 2005)
USD1,800 per person
The 10-Day Yunan Exploration
(Available from : December 2005, January, February and March 2006)
USD1,300 per person
The 12-Day Quest for the Yellow River Civilization
(16th September to 27th September)
USD1,800 per person
The 13-Day Romance of the Silk Road
(15th July to 27th July)
USD2,700 per person (Inclusive of internal flights)
The 12-Day Shangrila-Tibet Experience
(6th August to 17th August)
USD2,800 per person
Please info@africatravelmart.com and we will place you into contact with the organizers.
For that journey back in time across the wild, rugged western
frontiers of China, the Yellow River cradle of Chinese civilisation and
Shangrila - Tibet experience, we present herewith our 5 journeys of
exploration and discovery in China for 2005.
These mini series are for those who have limited time but wish to be
pampered all the way as well as to savour the march of time, history and
culture.
All ground arrangements including airport transfers, logistics, internal
travel permits, passes for historical sites, meals, refreshments, hotel and
camping arrangements are catered for. The mode of transport will, of course,
be in 4x4s from China (seated comfortably in Toyotas and Nissans).
All five routes exclude international flights to China. Those interested,
please contact our secretariat for further details.
The 12-Day Wild West Northern Xinjiang Getaway
(13th June to 24th June 2005)
USD1,800 per person
The 10-Day Yunan Exploration
(Available from : December 2005, January, February and March 2006)
USD1,300 per person
The 12-Day Quest for the Yellow River Civilization
(16th September to 27th September)
USD1,800 per person
The 13-Day Romance of the Silk Road
(15th July to 27th July)
USD2,700 per person (Inclusive of internal flights)
The 12-Day Shangrila-Tibet Experience
(6th August to 17th August)
USD2,800 per person
Please info@africatravelmart.com and we will place you into contact with the organizers.
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
The Jaws of the Predator
Simex Rainforest Challenge 2004
(A General Daily Overview)
By Luis J.A. Wee
This time around, the weather has been kind. The first phase of the North
East Monsoon that inundated most of this year's route did not extend into
the event days (28th November to 7th December). On day two, the main convoy,
comprising of competitors and marshal groups (X-Men and Tango) was thrown
right into the "Jaws of the Predator" along the wild and rugged highlands
between Perak, Pahang and Kelantan. Three nights of hard struggle later, a
full retreat was in earnest on 2nd December. Gullies, deep ravines, ruts,
slippery tracks, unstable landslides, washouts and the "Mother of all Gaps"
stood in their way. Against such impossible odds, they chose an honourable
withdrawal. Such is the awesome might of nature.
Meanwhile the other convoy of event HQ and media vehicles had waited at the
exit point for two days for their pincer-like rendezvous. However, that did
not materialize after all, in spite of a contingency plan for an excavator
to assist from this exit point of the Predator (Kg Besuar, an aborigine
village). With the withdrawal, plan B for excavator rescue was aborted.
For nearly a month from 25th October till 20th November, the monsoon rain
had lashed across the land unleashing a deluge (100mm of rain a day) that
inundated most parts of the northern sector route (including the Temenggor
Lake area), which caused the organizer great concern. To make matters worse,
some parts of the track in the already prepared Event Guide Book along the
middle sections have deteriorated and collapsed completely. Against this
backdrop, the organizer, at the eleventh hour, chose an alternative route
believing that their "small army" of 4x4 adventurers could overcome the odds
(which was not to be).
The opening day at Dataran Ipoh on 28th November had the usual RFC
razzmatazz and cultural welcome from Perak state government. Immediately
after that was the Prologue Special Stages (5 SS) in full public view at
Station 18 in the city. The fast action SS was for publicity, to warm up the
competitors and their machines only, not for heavy duty yet. That afternoon
it poured, bringing in heavy showers followed by light intermittent rain on
the morning of 29th November at campsite Pos Hendrop (Cameron Highlands).
Those were the only days of heavy showers throughout the event.
After the defeat at the Predator (only 2 SS were completed), it was back to
serious competition SS again at Lasah on 3rd December with SS 8, 9 and 10.
The press had a field day here as the competition was in full view of
everyone. By this time the leading contenders were from Malaysia (Sabah,
Johor and Perak), Poland, Portugal and Italy. However, a new format of
random draw for starting order before the day's SS gave everyone an equal
chance to start the SS. There is no reason for the teams not to be able to
catch up, lead and eventually to score points and win, if they are really
good at their driving and recovery skills; no matter which position they
start the SS.
The first night SS took place at Sg Dala on 3rd Dec. With lights blazing and
winches working overtime at the steep riverbank and later at the mud pool
(compulsory winching), the competition dragged on from 2100hrs to 0530hrs
the following day (4th December). By now, the 39 teams registered at the
staring point had dwindled down to 23 teams (that completed the night SS).
Sg Dala was the beginning of the Terminator section, which witnessed 3 SS in
total (11, 12 and 13) instead of 5 originally planned. The other 2 SS in the
area had to be abandoned due to the leveling of the tracks by the local
logging concessionaire (a month before the event).
Without wasting more time, the crossing of Sg Perak took place on 5th
December morning for regrouping in Gerik town by noon. The first mission at
the Twilight Zone of Kenayat was to secure the campsite at Sg Rhui, which
was accomplished without much difficulty. However they have to break up into
smaller groups due to limited space. The second and last night SS also took
place here. It was a test of crossing a gully, river, up a riverbank,
uphill, downhill and crossing back the same river to finishing box. The
struggle again continued into the wee hours of the following day.
The last briefing before crossing the second part of the Twilight Zone took
place on 6th December. But first, the competitors had to make their way to
SS 15 a further 12km uphill from main campsite. They were told that they had
24 hours to reach the finishing venue at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. Most
would have the 60-40 chances to make it to closing ceremony if the condition
is wet. However, as luck would have it, the weather was kind, no rain fell,
the tracks were dry and most of the competitors took less than 5 hours to
finish the route and all made it to closing venue on 7th December with more
than ample time to spare.
The overall champion team (102) came from Malaysia (Sabah) on Simex Extreme
Trekker. The dynamic brothers of Chang Ket Kuin and Chang Ket Vui scored
1,298 points and had been consistently in the top five throughout the 15 SS.
The first runner up placing went to Tan Eng Joo and Lee Yit Kiang (team 117)
also from Malaysia (Johor) with 1,225 points and second runner up came from
Poland (team 133). For first timers to RFC, both Dariusz Luberda and Szymon
Polak in their super fit Jeep Wrangler did extremely well adapting to the
jungle conditions, they scored 1,166 points. Portugal (team 160) came fifth
and Italy (team 155) came in seventh place. Other Asian teams came in at
eleventh position (team 107 China) and at nineteenth place (team 103
Indonesia). Winches used were PTO and electrical types (Warn).
In the international category, Poland (team 133) came first, followed by
Portugal (team 160) in second place and third went to Italy (team 155).
This year the Predator "devoured" the convoy at the beginning of the event
while the Twilight Zone let the competitor groups off lightly. The weather
was kind.
Next year, the Simex RFC will take place at the fearsome and original
Terminator of Hulu Terengganu, the site of the infamous RFC 1999 episode -
the "great escape from the rain." For those already in the preparation, all
the best and see you in 11 months' time!
Note: RFC 2005 will take place from 26th November to 6th December in the
state of Terengganu.
(A General Daily Overview)
By Luis J.A. Wee
This time around, the weather has been kind. The first phase of the North
East Monsoon that inundated most of this year's route did not extend into
the event days (28th November to 7th December). On day two, the main convoy,
comprising of competitors and marshal groups (X-Men and Tango) was thrown
right into the "Jaws of the Predator" along the wild and rugged highlands
between Perak, Pahang and Kelantan. Three nights of hard struggle later, a
full retreat was in earnest on 2nd December. Gullies, deep ravines, ruts,
slippery tracks, unstable landslides, washouts and the "Mother of all Gaps"
stood in their way. Against such impossible odds, they chose an honourable
withdrawal. Such is the awesome might of nature.
Meanwhile the other convoy of event HQ and media vehicles had waited at the
exit point for two days for their pincer-like rendezvous. However, that did
not materialize after all, in spite of a contingency plan for an excavator
to assist from this exit point of the Predator (Kg Besuar, an aborigine
village). With the withdrawal, plan B for excavator rescue was aborted.
For nearly a month from 25th October till 20th November, the monsoon rain
had lashed across the land unleashing a deluge (100mm of rain a day) that
inundated most parts of the northern sector route (including the Temenggor
Lake area), which caused the organizer great concern. To make matters worse,
some parts of the track in the already prepared Event Guide Book along the
middle sections have deteriorated and collapsed completely. Against this
backdrop, the organizer, at the eleventh hour, chose an alternative route
believing that their "small army" of 4x4 adventurers could overcome the odds
(which was not to be).
The opening day at Dataran Ipoh on 28th November had the usual RFC
razzmatazz and cultural welcome from Perak state government. Immediately
after that was the Prologue Special Stages (5 SS) in full public view at
Station 18 in the city. The fast action SS was for publicity, to warm up the
competitors and their machines only, not for heavy duty yet. That afternoon
it poured, bringing in heavy showers followed by light intermittent rain on
the morning of 29th November at campsite Pos Hendrop (Cameron Highlands).
Those were the only days of heavy showers throughout the event.
After the defeat at the Predator (only 2 SS were completed), it was back to
serious competition SS again at Lasah on 3rd December with SS 8, 9 and 10.
The press had a field day here as the competition was in full view of
everyone. By this time the leading contenders were from Malaysia (Sabah,
Johor and Perak), Poland, Portugal and Italy. However, a new format of
random draw for starting order before the day's SS gave everyone an equal
chance to start the SS. There is no reason for the teams not to be able to
catch up, lead and eventually to score points and win, if they are really
good at their driving and recovery skills; no matter which position they
start the SS.
The first night SS took place at Sg Dala on 3rd Dec. With lights blazing and
winches working overtime at the steep riverbank and later at the mud pool
(compulsory winching), the competition dragged on from 2100hrs to 0530hrs
the following day (4th December). By now, the 39 teams registered at the
staring point had dwindled down to 23 teams (that completed the night SS).
Sg Dala was the beginning of the Terminator section, which witnessed 3 SS in
total (11, 12 and 13) instead of 5 originally planned. The other 2 SS in the
area had to be abandoned due to the leveling of the tracks by the local
logging concessionaire (a month before the event).
Without wasting more time, the crossing of Sg Perak took place on 5th
December morning for regrouping in Gerik town by noon. The first mission at
the Twilight Zone of Kenayat was to secure the campsite at Sg Rhui, which
was accomplished without much difficulty. However they have to break up into
smaller groups due to limited space. The second and last night SS also took
place here. It was a test of crossing a gully, river, up a riverbank,
uphill, downhill and crossing back the same river to finishing box. The
struggle again continued into the wee hours of the following day.
The last briefing before crossing the second part of the Twilight Zone took
place on 6th December. But first, the competitors had to make their way to
SS 15 a further 12km uphill from main campsite. They were told that they had
24 hours to reach the finishing venue at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. Most
would have the 60-40 chances to make it to closing ceremony if the condition
is wet. However, as luck would have it, the weather was kind, no rain fell,
the tracks were dry and most of the competitors took less than 5 hours to
finish the route and all made it to closing venue on 7th December with more
than ample time to spare.
The overall champion team (102) came from Malaysia (Sabah) on Simex Extreme
Trekker. The dynamic brothers of Chang Ket Kuin and Chang Ket Vui scored
1,298 points and had been consistently in the top five throughout the 15 SS.
The first runner up placing went to Tan Eng Joo and Lee Yit Kiang (team 117)
also from Malaysia (Johor) with 1,225 points and second runner up came from
Poland (team 133). For first timers to RFC, both Dariusz Luberda and Szymon
Polak in their super fit Jeep Wrangler did extremely well adapting to the
jungle conditions, they scored 1,166 points. Portugal (team 160) came fifth
and Italy (team 155) came in seventh place. Other Asian teams came in at
eleventh position (team 107 China) and at nineteenth place (team 103
Indonesia). Winches used were PTO and electrical types (Warn).
In the international category, Poland (team 133) came first, followed by
Portugal (team 160) in second place and third went to Italy (team 155).
This year the Predator "devoured" the convoy at the beginning of the event
while the Twilight Zone let the competitor groups off lightly. The weather
was kind.
Next year, the Simex RFC will take place at the fearsome and original
Terminator of Hulu Terengganu, the site of the infamous RFC 1999 episode -
the "great escape from the rain." For those already in the preparation, all
the best and see you in 11 months' time!
Note: RFC 2005 will take place from 26th November to 6th December in the
state of Terengganu.
Monday, December 13, 2004
Rainforest challenge 2004 final reports and results
By Luis J.A. Wee
3rd December
All groups finally met up last night. Special Stages (SS) today will be SS 8, 9 and 10. After these 3 SS, the whole convoy will move to Dala River (Sungai Dala) for campsite. There will be 1 night SS. All teams and participants in high spirit and ready to go after the Predator zone episode. From Dala River (Sungai Dala) the convoy will proceed to Terminator zone on 4th December.
After three SS at Lasah campsite, the convoy reached campsite Dala River (Sungai Dala) by late afternoon. Night SS set up, crossing river, driving up a river bank and facing a mud pool. The SS started off at 2100hrs and did not end till the wee hours of 0530hrs of 4th December. The steep river bank and the mud pool turned out to be awesome obstacles which put some of the competitors' vehicles out of action.
4th December
After the long night, it was back to competition again in the morning at 0900hrs. SS12 was a river splashing test with everything loaded. After the SS, the competitors set off for the next SS (13) along the Terminator route. SS13 was a winching down a steep ravine exercise and then driving along a rugged river bank and followed by more driving up a steep and wet river bank. Lots of action here. After the SS, they moved to campsite Terminator. The other two SS here had to be cancelled as the obstacles had been leveled by a local logging contractor a few days before. Anyway, a good rest for all of them. Meanwhile, eleven competitors still had not done SS13.
5th December
Those who had done SS13 moved along the route towards Gerik town for their rendezvous and refueling. They crossed Perak River (Sungai Perak) by ferry. The eleven competitors caught up with the main convoy later in the afternoon. It was time to catch up on repairs and supplies in Gerik, after that they moved to campsite of Rhui River (Sungai Rhui) - beginning of Twilight Zone. Briefing time was at 1800hrs and SS14 (night SS) took off at 2100hrs. It did not end till 0530hrs on 6th December. This involved crossing a river at night and up a steep bank and doing maneuvering uphill and then back to starting box (crossing the same river twice).
6th December
The competitors moved on to uppper Rhui River (Sungai Rhui) for SS15, from there they crossed the second part of the Twilight Zone (steep sandy uphill and steep downhills with ruts and holes). Only competitor cars are allowed to move through the Twilight Zone so as not to jam up the route. Vehicles with good serviceable winches are allowed. Even though the drive through the Twilight Zone was tough, Mother Nature decided to be kind to the competitors, it did not rain. The dry conditions greatly assisted the competitors to cross this zone easily, by evening, most of them are already out of the danger zones and made camp for the night.
7th December
All groups moved out of the Twilight Zone in two directions. The press convoy and Tango marshals backtrack to Gerik for their rendezvous at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort while the competitors group moved out with the X-Men marshals from other end of the Twilight Zone for the closing ceremony. If it had rained in the Twilight Zone, the competitors would not have found the going easy like this time. Usually it takes about 18 hours to cross this Twilight Zone (the last time under wet conditions). In the end getting out of SS 15 back to main basecamp (press and event HQ) was more difficult than crossing the Twilight Zone - with mud hole that turned out to be waist deep with ruts.
General remark on the weather/terrain
Heavy rainfall fell in late October until 20th November, which inundated many parts of the route especially along the Temenggor Lake and Jalong areas which resulted in the abandoning of much of the route in these areas. If it had continued to rain like pre-event days, the story would have been much different. On event days, it really rained on opening day (prologue SS) and some light intermittent rain during the event, otherwise it was sunny and dry. However, some sections of the route was tough according to RFC standard. The Predator section (29th November to 2nd December) was a "killing field" which took its toll on man and machines (breakdowns and fatigue), while some sections of the Twilight Zone was a real battle to get out.
3rd December
All groups finally met up last night. Special Stages (SS) today will be SS 8, 9 and 10. After these 3 SS, the whole convoy will move to Dala River (Sungai Dala) for campsite. There will be 1 night SS. All teams and participants in high spirit and ready to go after the Predator zone episode. From Dala River (Sungai Dala) the convoy will proceed to Terminator zone on 4th December.
After three SS at Lasah campsite, the convoy reached campsite Dala River (Sungai Dala) by late afternoon. Night SS set up, crossing river, driving up a river bank and facing a mud pool. The SS started off at 2100hrs and did not end till the wee hours of 0530hrs of 4th December. The steep river bank and the mud pool turned out to be awesome obstacles which put some of the competitors' vehicles out of action.
4th December
After the long night, it was back to competition again in the morning at 0900hrs. SS12 was a river splashing test with everything loaded. After the SS, the competitors set off for the next SS (13) along the Terminator route. SS13 was a winching down a steep ravine exercise and then driving along a rugged river bank and followed by more driving up a steep and wet river bank. Lots of action here. After the SS, they moved to campsite Terminator. The other two SS here had to be cancelled as the obstacles had been leveled by a local logging contractor a few days before. Anyway, a good rest for all of them. Meanwhile, eleven competitors still had not done SS13.
5th December
Those who had done SS13 moved along the route towards Gerik town for their rendezvous and refueling. They crossed Perak River (Sungai Perak) by ferry. The eleven competitors caught up with the main convoy later in the afternoon. It was time to catch up on repairs and supplies in Gerik, after that they moved to campsite of Rhui River (Sungai Rhui) - beginning of Twilight Zone. Briefing time was at 1800hrs and SS14 (night SS) took off at 2100hrs. It did not end till 0530hrs on 6th December. This involved crossing a river at night and up a steep bank and doing maneuvering uphill and then back to starting box (crossing the same river twice).
6th December
The competitors moved on to uppper Rhui River (Sungai Rhui) for SS15, from there they crossed the second part of the Twilight Zone (steep sandy uphill and steep downhills with ruts and holes). Only competitor cars are allowed to move through the Twilight Zone so as not to jam up the route. Vehicles with good serviceable winches are allowed. Even though the drive through the Twilight Zone was tough, Mother Nature decided to be kind to the competitors, it did not rain. The dry conditions greatly assisted the competitors to cross this zone easily, by evening, most of them are already out of the danger zones and made camp for the night.
7th December
All groups moved out of the Twilight Zone in two directions. The press convoy and Tango marshals backtrack to Gerik for their rendezvous at Bukit Merah Laketown Resort while the competitors group moved out with the X-Men marshals from other end of the Twilight Zone for the closing ceremony. If it had rained in the Twilight Zone, the competitors would not have found the going easy like this time. Usually it takes about 18 hours to cross this Twilight Zone (the last time under wet conditions). In the end getting out of SS 15 back to main basecamp (press and event HQ) was more difficult than crossing the Twilight Zone - with mud hole that turned out to be waist deep with ruts.
General remark on the weather/terrain
Heavy rainfall fell in late October until 20th November, which inundated many parts of the route especially along the Temenggor Lake and Jalong areas which resulted in the abandoning of much of the route in these areas. If it had continued to rain like pre-event days, the story would have been much different. On event days, it really rained on opening day (prologue SS) and some light intermittent rain during the event, otherwise it was sunny and dry. However, some sections of the route was tough according to RFC standard. The Predator section (29th November to 2nd December) was a "killing field" which took its toll on man and machines (breakdowns and fatigue), while some sections of the Twilight Zone was a real battle to get out.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Malaysia 2004: Results after Prologue Special Stages (SS1 - SS5)
3rd December
Luis J.A. Wee
All groups finally met up last night. Special Stages (SS) today will be SS
8, 9 and 10. After these 3 SS, the whole convoy will move to Dala River
(Sungai Dala) for campsite. There will be 1 night SS. All teams and
participants in high spirit and ready to go after the Predator zone episode.
From Dala River (Sungai Dala) the convoy will proceed to Terminator zone on
4th December.
Results after Prologue Special Stages (SS1 - SS5)
Luis J.A. Wee
All groups finally met up last night. Special Stages (SS) today will be SS
8, 9 and 10. After these 3 SS, the whole convoy will move to Dala River
(Sungai Dala) for campsite. There will be 1 night SS. All teams and
participants in high spirit and ready to go after the Predator zone episode.
From Dala River (Sungai Dala) the convoy will proceed to Terminator zone on
4th December.
Results after Prologue Special Stages (SS1 - SS5)
- 102 - Malaysia (Sabah) - 524 points
Chang Ket Kiun / Chang Ket Vui - 122 - Malaysia (Perak) - 500 points
Chong Zheng Wei / Moo Kim Meng - 133 - Poland - 486 points
Dariusz Luberda / Szymon Polak - 117 - Malaysia (Johor) - 473 points
Tan Eng Joo / Lee Yit Kiang - 155 - Italy - 471 points
Mauro Caporali / Lorenzo Savini - 160 - Portugal - 458 points
Daniel Mendonca / Virgilio Barros - 110 - Malaysia (Selangor) - 408 points
Chong Yoke Sang / Lee Kun Fatt - 162 - Paraguay/Argentina - 405 points
Roberto Lucas Recalde Osorio /
Juan Maria Conteras - 157 - Italy - 404 points
Casani Antonio / Chiovino Paolo - 163 - Chile - 397 points
Ricardo Barraza Lammermann /
Francisco Garafulic
