Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pre-Trip Preparation
To the uninitiated, jungle trekking can be something of a shock - like marching all day in
a sauna with a floor as slippery as ice. To make the experience as safe and painless as pos-
sible, it's necessary to prepare ahead:
» On overnight trips, bring two sets of clothing: one for hiking and one to wear at the end
of the day (keep your night kit dry in a plastic bag). Within minutes of starting, your hik-
ing kit will be drenched and will stay that way throughout your trip. Never blur the dis-
tinction between your day and night kits, or you'll find that you have two sets of wet
clothes.
» If you'll be hiking through dense vegetation, wear long trousers and a long-sleeved
shirt. Otherwise, shorts and a T-shirt will suffice. Whatever you wear, make sure it's loose
fitting.
» Bring fast-drying synthetic clothes. Once cotton gets wet, it won't dry until you bring it
back to town.
» Evenings can be cool in the mountains, so if you'll be spending time in higher altitudes,
bring a fleece top to keep warm.
» If you're going to be trekking on well-used trails (eg in the Kelabit Highlands) and don't
need a lot of ankle support, consider hiking in running shoes with good traction. For seri-
ous trekking, though, it's crucial to have serious hiking boots with cleats, properly broken
in, for the muddy slopes.
» To keep the leeches at bay, buy spandex pants or a pair of light-coloured leech socks.
It's not always possible to find these in Borneo (guesthouses in Miri may carry them), so
buy them online before coming.
» Drink plenty of water. If you're going long distances, you'll have to bring either a water
filter or a water-purification agent such as iodine (most people opt for the latter to keep
weight down).
» Get in shape long before coming to Borneo and start slowly. Try day hikes before longer
treks.
» Always go with a guide unless you're on a well-marked, commonly travelled trail. Nav-
igating in the jungle is extremely difficult because most of the time - even when you're on
top of a hill - all you can see is trees.
» Bring talcum powder to cope with the chafing caused by wet undergarments. Wearing
loose underwear will also help prevent chafing.
