Mountain Expedition: Mt. Lembu 3050 M above sea level

It was during the holy Ramadhan in 2016 (Jun, 2016), I was contacted by 2 biologists to escort them for their research deep in Aceh Rainforest for 16 days. We agreed to build the team, but, because it was Ramdhan, surely not many of our exploration team able to be in the jungle neither the local guide. Said and I started to set up the trip, this research had focused on birding, invertebrate and insects. When we had an agreement with these two biologists, then we prepared any necessary equipment and logistics, I met Oli and Iris in Medan and bought some other equipment and logistics that we need for the trip. Oli Broadhead is from Bristol university and Iris Berger is from Edinburgh university, both of them love to explore deep into the jungle, that makes us as a solid team.

Left: Iris Berger from Edinburgh University, Righ: Oli Broadhead from Bristol University, at the meet with them in Medan at one of coffee shop.

The next day we arrived in Gayo Luwes for reporting to local authority, including police department regarding our trip, we met Said who had been there waiting for us, while he prepared all necessary documents. As you my has known, during the holy Ramadhan, all the muslim including me and Said were fasting about 14 hours within daylight.

We had a short briefing to discuss plotting road and technical exploration, because actually, we need to open the path crossing the unpredictable high density rain forest, what we could see only what was stated on the map. Said and I were the most experienced member of Aceh Tracker for this are of exploration, because we had had previous experience to reach the peak of Mt. Lembu, the second highest peak in East Aceh 3050 meters above sea level (M ASL). First team stepped on the peak were 6 of us in 2014, including said and me (the second team after the Dutch colonial expedition team in March 1913 when they constructed the Triangulation Pillar P.123). So, this is our second time to get to the peak through Uring village, Gayo Luwes Aceh. Finally, only 4 of us proceed as a solid team to conduct observation and research in the area, Oli and Iris were the first Biologists and foreigner visited that area, mostly the scientist will prefer to do research in Leuser National Park, because that name is really famous among the environment activist. It is really serious mountain expedition

Day 1, camp 1

The next day, four of us ready to go to start point with 35 kg load in the carrier on our shoulder, those weigh we need to carry for 16 days crossing the river, jungle, mountain ridge and valley and multiple characteristic terrain to the top of the mountain. Those weights were including our equipment and foods, as the plan set in advance. We had 1 GPS, 4 set of topographic map, 2 compasses and protractor.

First day, we walked along the riverside, we were able to walk only 2,5 km/day with the weight and such difficult terrain. My throat was burned out. Said, Oli, Iris and I walked along the riverside with fresh crystal clear water right from the mountain. I won’t take a sip off, I was fasting. Keep walking and the sun right on top, finally we took a little rest, I washed my face while I put my bare legs in the water. It was so fresh, while my companies sat themselves on the rock. It is not a short trip at all.

It was still 7 hours to wait for the sun completely down and I can break my fasting day. During the holy ramadhan we are as a muslim all over the world will hold ourselves from any food and drink, smoking includes for 13 hours 45 minutes or 14 hours (In Aceh), or can be longer or shorter in other part of the world.

Resting for 30 minutes recharge my energy to continue our trip to the top of Mt. Lembu, the highest peak of East Aceh, but we started from Uring, Gayo Luwes, Aceh. Our plot was for 16 days walk deep in the jungle, one way in and out. There is no other way opened to and from the mountain, this is the only path we made in 2014, we were six in the team work for 16 days to make a path to the peak.
First day had no problem at all, we set the camp at the riverside and stay for a night. The research was begun; they started to find any kind of frogs and snake around our camp ground. I prepared for dinner and Said love to set fire to avoid wild animal, the camp was 4.5 km away from the nearest village.
The second day, we were still on the riverside, sometimes we crossed from one side to another to find the easiest path for walking through. That day we only made up to 1.7 km, it is normal when we start long trip with the heavy luggage and our body will need some times to get used to the new condition, yet Oli and Iris had been a long way from Europe. Our second day camp still at the riverside and that was last time close to the water.

Day 3, camp 3

It was the hardest part climbing of the longest ridge crossing high density rain forest. This mountain area is not a tourist area, therefore, there were only a few of local hunter doing their illegal activity around the camp, but that camp spot was the farthest point for their hunting activity. Oli and Iris are ready after Said and I. I forgot to tell them that I was fasting, and they need to manage their drinking water, each of them brought 1.5 L of fresh water.

Around 4.30 at the evening we found the space to stop and take rest for 15 minutes, I checked their water. There was no water left, except a few drops remain in the bottle. This was the problem. And the nearest water spot is 450 meters down the valley, that was really not an option. I brought 200 ml for breaking my fasting day, and Said still have about 100 ml in his bottle, that was what we shared before we reached the next water spot, it was about 800 m to go at the initial camp site, 800 m on the city road is not really big deal but in high density forest can be huge disaster especially when we walk at night, limited visibility, lack of water and tired, yet wild animal start to hunt at night, snake getting more dangerous. But, we had no option to stop in the middle of the ridge. I took the lead, and got my headlamp out of the carrier and ready to use any time, I asked the rest of the team to do the same. At 7 pm, the path completely dark, even at 5.30 the path was about to dark since the jungle canopy was really thick. We stop for 30 minute, Said set the fire, we sat close to each other and keep watching around. Finally, at 9.30 pm we arrived at the camp site, first thing was water, that area was the main reservoir for the river we crossed a day before. Oli and Iris waited no longer to drink right from the small ditch, their water had gone long time ago. We went to sleep at 11 pm after late dinner and prepare for the next day crossing thick mossy area, with some part of thorny rattan close the twisted bushy path

Day 5 and 6 camp 5

We had been 3 day crossing 8.9 km, the most difficult part of the pathway, and this evening we got a bonus track before we reach the camp five. It a large grassy and soggy field, we have a lot of water for shower. Shower?, definitely not for me, the temperature was between 4-6 Celsius degree, I prefer in the sleeping bag to getting myself into smoky tiger hunting zone for shower. Oli and Irish was so satisfy since they had found 35 species of bird and some new unidentified birds, some of incredible fact of insects, frogs and some plants including rare orchids. We decided to stay one more day for recovery. We really need to rest properly after 5 days walk through most difficult terrain with 35 kg load on our shoulder. Even the weight had been reduced 2 kg a day, which mean it had reduced 2.5 kg for each of us. While we take a full day rest, we reset the food packaging to maintain the equal weight. I helped Irish and bring some of her load and said help Oli, the problem was not only the weigh, but also the creeping part of the terrain, we literally needed to creep on to pass the tunnel of moss. This cam was so special for both Oli and Irish, this cam was the first time I made pan cake for them to break the monotony of rice and our common local food. The dough was as simple as possible. The mixture consists of; 2 eggs, 200 gr wheat flour, little salt, 50 gr chees, 330 ml fresh milk (Bear Brand)
All ingredients were mixed together become thicken and puffy, before fried on the pan, half cup for each pan cake. I made 4 pan cakes. That was my first pan cake at 2,800 MASL.

This is my photo, taken at the same place in 2014 (my original work)

This photo of me is property of Oli Broadhead

Day 7, camp 6

We started earlier that day to reach as far as possible and get closer to the peak, our target was not only one peak (mt. Lembu), but the highest Peak of Mt. Kurik 3085 MASL (Meters Above Sea Level). This part of pathway was much easier, only crossing the grassy flat area with minor slope, but it was only half-way to the initial camp site. All of us had got used to our new daily routine, Oli and Iris seemed enjoy the trip and walk faster than us. 8.30 at the evening we arrived at the summit attack camp, obviously that area has cave system, Oli and Iris found 3 caves nearby the camp site. They were the first scientist who explored the area and found many incredible animal lived around the camp, we had never noticed before. We set the camp and started to cook for dinner, Oli and Iris helped me to prepare dinner willingly we were absolutely solid team work. You can check the photo of Oli Broadhead here

Day 8, camp 6

We decided to recover and discover the area, Oli and Irish wanted to explore a little more to find the cave system and the ecosystem round the cave. It would be very great day if I had camera, but I did not, I only had my stupid phone to capture some of the moments. The area was out of phone signal coverage, the last signal spot was only at camp site fifth, yet that was only able to send sms one in a while. The other area were the top of Mt. Lembu.

Day 9, camp 6

The next morning I made another pan can for 3 of them, I had prepared for those, because I knew, Oli and Irish had enough with rice since the first day of expedition. Especially Iris, she is a vegetarian. This was the second time of pan cake. I broke my fasting by midday (shame), because Said and I need to open the pathway which was new plotting route through Mt. Gemiring 2985 MASL, so I share one pan cake for our lunch with Said. We expected the closer way to get on the peak of Mt. Lembu, but we only made up to 2650 MASL before I cut my finger to the bond. I did not bring proper medical kit, so I chewed a hand full of moss for antiseptic and to stop bleeding before I wrap it with a piece of ripped clothes.5 pm we reached the camp and I did further medical treatment for my wound. Honestly, it was difficult to handle such thing by myself in the middle of nowhere, the nearest hospital or clinic was 5 days walk crossing high density rain forest (it is always faster to return than climbing up the mountain). Normally it takes half of the climbing time to get back to start point.

That was my finger looks like, Photo taken by Oli. Image property of Oli Broadhead

Day 10, camp 6

Decision was made in accordance with the latest situation, I decided to stay in the camp, only 3 of them would summit to the peak of Mt. Lembu. I could not risk this expedition and lost my finger in the jungle, so I need to avoid the bleeding and reduce the movement, before I can return to start point. Oli, Iris, Said, should complete the journey without me, besides, I had been on the peak once. I prepared the food for them since they will be away from the camp with minimum load to increase the speed of their movement in such difficult terrain, they will definitely creep and duckling under the small tunnel to pass the mossy trees in the rainy day. I gave them 20 hours limit started from 7 am (the time they left the camp), before I took emergency action in any necessary way, in case of something went wrong. That was our standard procedure to track on the pathway if the time pass the given limit, and initiate the next step of rescue procedure. I realized that only Said and I have ability for night tracking and self-survival skill in our community, but bad thing could happen any time, just like my bad luck at the other day. They arrived to the camp safely at 10.30 pm, and dinner had set accordingly for all of them; rice, sardine, wild veggies, and instant noodle. Is the Mission Accomplished?, nope, we failed to reach the peak of Mt.Kurik. But, they had more than 50 bird species, frogs, mammals, insect, and invertebrates were well documented for research purposes. The next day, they took full day rest before heading back to the village. Another 5 days high risk adventure.

That is normal when are failed in our life, but we should not give up to carry on the next step of our journey. Said and I have been more than 5000 hours in the jungle, failure is a normal thing, success is bonus, new lesson and gaining more experience are the true goal of every expedition.

Day 11, camp 5

We swept the camping ground and packed every single stuffs we brought in, including our garbage and ready to return home at 8.30 in the morning, we plan to head up at the camp 5th before dark fall. And finally we made it, my finger got bleeding, and I had bandage to cover the wound properly. I took antibiotic and pain killer to avoid any further infection.

Oli has similar photo with this one that you may find it in his website, but this one is my original work.

Day 13, camp 3

We passed one camp on the way back to the start point (Uring Village), we reached camp site 3 (water spot camp) at 7.45 am and take a night there, no big deal for all of us, and my finger had stopped bleeding and remain swallowed and had a bit red skin, but still unmovable. Finally, I decided to use splint (a piece of small short wood) for better protection before further medical treatment.

On the way back to Uring. Photo taken by Said.

Day 15, Uring

We reached the village at 4.00 pm, safe and sound, first thing we did was report to the police upon our arrival in to the village, but we need to rent motorbike to the nearest signal spot, meanwhile, all the villager were there, sitting after their farming time, we sat with them having tea and coffee, talking about the history of the mountain, the elder greeting us and expecting us to bring more scientists to discover new things in order to mitigate deforestation of the area. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough photograph to support the story, some pictures I took from Oil Broadhead facebook pages with proper cited.

Some Photographs of Orchid

This is my first article about my mountain adventure, I wasn't doing the expedition only for hobby, but mostly for education and environment protection. I hope by reading this short article, more people have their interest to come there and discover the secret of jungle life. I am willing to help If anyone wants to explore those or other area in Aceh. Warning! “Those areas are dangerously beautiful!”

With my best regard