JAPAKEH XX: Expedition to Mt. Buntul Gading (Day -2)

Wednesday morning at 7.30, as the coordinator of the monitoring team, I received information that the team would move through the re-plotting route following Raje's advice. I responded to the short message by agreeing with their direction of movement and warning of the potential water shortage on the way. Be alert and always prioritize safety. During the trip, always fill up with water every time you pass through a water source.

I knew that, after analyzing the route they were going to take, I was sure that they would have difficulty with water if they didn't get out of the Pine Forest Ridge before 2 pm. However, I hope that with their current abilities, they will be able to survive for the next 6 days even if they don't get adequate water sources.

I have often experienced things like this on previous similar trips in other areas, in a season like this between March and June, rainfall decreases and many small creek areas may dry out. I wish them luck.

Day-2, Expedition Team Report

^{Departing to the next stop with a heavy load on the shoulder and the scorching sun, make them sweat out profusely}

Wednesday, March 6 2024 at 09.00 WIB, after breakfast and packing, the team immediately moved through the pine-covered ridge, this area is still traditional land managed by the community. This pine, which has grown naturally for hundreds of years, is managed by the local community to extract its sap and sell it at a tentatively high price. The life of the farming community here is completely dependent on farming land and forest products. They have a culture of forest conservation that has been passed down from generation to generation because of the belief that what they take from the forest is a loan that they must return in the form of replanting and maintaining the forest as a source of their sustenance.

^{The pine forest ridge to camp 2, where we take a little rest}

Along the route, the pine area was quite open and the intense heat made the team's movements a little hampered, this also increased the amount of water consumed more than expected. However, this route provides easy access because it is often used by the people of Ise-ise village

Despite the scorching sun, the team was treated to exotic pine trees that were a feast for the eyes. Here there are many types of birds and other animals such as red-tailed ground squirrels, and several mouse deer tracks can be seen on the ground. Apart from the large open area, this route is quite helpful for the team because of the large number of people who access it by "tapping" pine sap to help with their daily income. As a result, the originally planned distance of 1.90 km to camp 2 could be extended directly to camp 3 where the team was able to travel 3.6 km due to the availability of a conventional route before entering the forest entrance where the vegetation was denser.

Documentation along the route could also be better and more complete. After carrying out a long march with a load of 35 kg each in the afternoon at around 16.30 WIB, the team finally entered the gate of the real jungle.

Here the journey has only reached two-thirds of the distance from camp 2 which we have passed to get to camp 3. However, we still have to reach camp 3 because according to the map at camp 3, there is a small gutter which is the main source of water for our journey tomorrow. Hopefully!

^{Entering a density forest in the afternoon, still no sign of water source}

The team immediately encountered a fairly dense area when we arrived in the forest area. According to residents, people rarely and seldom enter this forest area. Dense shrub forest vegetation with rocks and moss is characteristic of this area. It is generally the condition of the area at an altitude of 750-1200 MASL in Central Aceh.

However, because of the steepness of the terrain and the tightness of the route, the team that was originally targeting Camp 3 had to stop in the middle of the journey because it was starting to get dark. Considering safety and greater risk of danger, the team finally decided to install a shelter after finding a flat camp area.

Because the long journey is quite draining, the team originally brought 5 L of water from Camp 1, but currently only has 3 L of water left for consumption tonight and tomorrow morning plus for tomorrow's trip to Camp 3-4.

^{The fly camp for our shelter tonight, the terrain is a bit steep, but no other choice at this moment}

Due to limited drinking water, tonight's menu is only coffee and biscuits remaining from the afternoon of the trip. Not allowing us to cook rice and other side dishes meant we had to be willing to go to bed a little hungry.

The team checked the cellular signal but the results were nil, and we could not send a trip report tonight.

Day-2, Monitoring Report

Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 6.00 pm: There has been no update report from the field team coming in, but because this is the second day, I already estimate they are in camp 2 or a little further away. My best guess is that they are in the middle of a steep ridge area close to Camp 3, there is no possible water source in the area. At 8 pm I tried to analyze the route and estimate the team's position and reported it to the Linge Police as an update to the expedition team's latest situation report. I should maintain accurate and timely reports to all related parties. It is part of our standard operational procedure.

^{The approximate position that I can predict at this time since there was no latest news from the team}

Story based on Aceh Tracker Expedition Team report

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Best Regards

El-Nailul