The jungle is a formidable environment, so its best to be prepared, REZA AZMI offers some advice on being careful and conservative in the rainforest.

Written by Reza Azmi on 29 Apr 2002 with 7 comments. Contribute!

The jungle is a formidable environment for those that are not prepared. My simple advice is to always be careful and conservative in the forest...before you enter the forest, always make sure you have enough water/snacks, a basic first-aid kit, a knife, and pay attention to the features and characteristics of the trail. Where possible, always use a local guide. It will be your only insurance out of the forest if anything should go wrong.

Camping. Generally, I do not recommend camping in the tropics, especially if you are here as a tourist. Tents do not work well in this climate (too hot by day and performs poorly in heavy downpours). My most reliable camping set-up is however: large tarpaulin/flysheet and light-weight army-stretcher-type camp beds (usually with poles from the forest) and mossy-nets. This ensures that you do not carry tent poles and heavy camping gear, but does need more time to set-up and you will need to cut pole-sized trees for the camp-beds. It does work well for long trips away in the forest.

Something new though, which I have yet to test out in the field, are these hammocks made by Tom Hennessy. The concept is great. A hammock with mossy-netting and a fly sheet that weighs less than 2lbs, which will keep you off the damp ground, withstand a torrential downpour and can be setup in under 2 minutes. Check it out here. I have just ordered one and should be trying it out on a field trip later this year. Look out for the review soon.

Trekking. Use a guide whenever you can. If you are going in on your own a word of caution, I learnt recently, and it will be wise to remember this, Orang Aslis (the forest natives) will never travel alone in the forest, simply that if one is hurt, the other is there to help. The jungle is also an easy place to get lost in, so always pay attention to any characteristic features along the way. Locals use their parangs (machete) to make small marks on trees as they pass or selectively cut some undergrowth plants as they walk through. On their return, they can easily trace back their way following these markings. These cuts are also useful as I heard recently that one of my colleagues had to literally feel his way back to camp after his torch light failed in the forest. Footwear, where possible, should be light-weight and easy to dry. I often trek in my Teva-sandals, but for longer trips I have invested in a cheap pair of rubber-shoes (which cost no more than 1 US dollar!); they are call locally Adidas-kampung (or "village" Adidas). A pair of canvass shoes will also do.

Stoves. For the most part, one can always find wood to burn in the forest. The problem is wood may often be damp, which is why having fires-starters (solid-fuel from army-supplies or pieces of rubber) will be handy. Remember to split larger pieces of wood to burn as the core would often be dry. I often carry a small stove (with spare bottles of fuel) just in case or for whipping something up quickly after a long day. I have found the MSR whisperlite stoves useful as it burns kerosene, white gas, and automobile fuel. The stove itself is easily packed and can be serviced in the field easily. The down side of this is that it will work best on "white gas", kerosene and automobile fuel burns with a very sooty-flame which makes cleaning of the fuel-delivery system necessary after each use.

Water. Either bring plenty of water or be prepared to drink from running streams, or in very desperate situations, from stagnant pools. I carry a small filter water-bottle which is handy to use whilst trekking. In camp, we boil water and when needed filter the larger particles using a muslin cloth. If you want to be extra careful you could also purify the water with water purifiers (e.g., Puritab). I usually avoid drinking from stagnant water, although having a filter or chemical water-treatments should be used if this is your only water source. If you are in upland areas, keep vigilant for water sources whilst you trek as the terrain (steep river valleys, etc) could limit (or at least make it difficult) to access potential water sources.

Food & supplies. Specialised camping food is difficult, and expensive, to purchase in Malaysia. The staple for long treks is often rice, salt, and dried food (fish, prawns, mushrooms, etc). These foods can be bought easily wherever you are in Malaysia. Do visit a local market for both fresh and sundry supplies.

4 older comments | show

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 9:50 AM:

Reza, it is quite interesting to read these tips from a botanist who have lots of experiences in jungle.
From a trailblazer's point of view, the tips are practical and i would share some of mine:
CAMPING: a fly sheet is always more mobilize than a tent in jungle. My coated 10'x11' fly is light, no pole is needed. Just tie it properly with rafia string is good enough to create the surface tension that efficient to prevent water dripping.
If i have Orang Asli with me, i always sleep with them for 2 main reasons: (1) they choose the best campsite in jungle (2)they usually make fire that keeps insects (especially sandly) away & also keep body warm.
we usually sleep on ground with a layer of good ground sheet. always bring a sleeping mat to isolate the coolness from the ground.
using hammock is a great idea, but make sure that the fly cover the hammock is big enough for u to cook under it (if individual cooking).
additional thing to bring along is mosquito coil as a backup insect rep

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 10:29 AM:

TREKKING: as long as u r a jungle "tourist", always use a guide, regardless u r a local or foreign tourist. bear in mind that Oang Asli could also lose the way if they have not been to the area for years. always observe the terrain as u trek. making markings on tree is a common practise of Orang Asli. they usually mark the trail with 1 big slash on tree surface where i usualy make 3 slashes to differantial the markings.
as for footwear, u r right on the cheap rubber shoe which has good grib on wet rock surface. but the down side is it gives minimum protection to feet. in RAINforest, goretex shoe is never a good choice due to heavy downpour, river crossing (both could collecting water inside your shoe=> heavy) and mud (reduce the function to almost ZERO). Footwear with Vibram sole? i personally do not recommend as well. for my own comfort, i wear US Army spec jungle boot (leather and canvas top). it is light weight, easy to dry, protective and side-vent for vantilation & water removing

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 10:45 AM:

TREKKING: LED light is generally good and battery saving. it is very popular among trekkers. the disadvantge of LED is the vision is very very poor during misty night. u could either spare a "yellow-light" torch or buying a LED with extra "yellow light" functioning.
STOVE: i use Butane gas canister. most gas canister sold in market can be refilled by ourselves. for example, Camping Gaz canister CV270/470, just buy Ronson refill Butane can and refill as the "mouth" fit in each other for refilling without using any adaptor. in this case, my gas logistic is easier. Ronson is sold cheap in Mydin, 3 for RM12 the most. IF i am not mistaken, MSR and Casper gas canister can be refilled with Crown Butane can.

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 11:06 AM:

WATER: As for me, any water source which is running, i will drink it directly, whether it is cryatal clear or tea-like colour. if i have no choice but to collect stagnant water, i will boil it before i drink or use it for cooking in order to reserve clean water for drinking. When desparete for water, even have to go down 300ft to the most possible water source suggested by topomap, i will never hesitate to do so. in dry season, u might have to go further down (500m from the origin of the stream/river)

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 11:39 AM:

OWN JUNGLE ADVENTURE WITH GPS & TOPOMAP:
unless u have been trained, practised & master these skills through many actual field experiences, u r not advised to do so without any supervising.
Some of the reasons are:
(1)in some cases, the actual terrain might be more complicated then shown on the map. Even experienced map reader could also be confused & "diverted" (not lost, but off the desired route). the vegetation, bushes, fallen tree trunks, big rocks..etc are other elements could mislead your navigation judgement.
(2)20m contour line paradox: each contour line in topomap is 20m apart. any up-down terrain within 20m will never recorded on map. a gradual slope u see on map could sometimes be 15m ravine before it is ascend again. if u r not skilled enough, u might think u r on the wrong path when u see the ravine in front of u, which is the actual the correct path.

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 12:08 PM:

OWN JUNGLE ADVENTURE WITH GPS & TOPOMAP:
(3)GPS: u might have the best signal receiving GPS position reading?? most of the time, Yes. Unfortunately, sometimes it does "suggest" u a non-accurate position, either in latitude or longtitude, or both in worst conditions. it is very much depends on the terrain u are when u get the satellite signals (valley, on the ridge or summit..etc) To judge it, it is up to your wisdom and experiences. your observation of terrain during trekking will help u to plot correct location on map with the own calibration of GPS reading (when it gives u not-so-accurate reading). without doing so, u will have mis-read your location on map & having a hard time ahead to reach your destination.

finally, i hope my advises help when u need them. HAPPY TREKKING & CAMPING in Malaysia!

cs_goh

Member 05-May-2008 Posts: 8

Friday, 23 May 2008 at 12:16 PM:

OWN JUNGLE ADVENTURE WITH GPS & TOPOMAP:
(3)GPS: u might have the best signal receiving GPS in jungle canopy. But does the position suggested by your GPS accurate?? most of the time, Yes.....(continue with previous post from here onwards)