Take The Path Less Ordinary

People getting lost in the maze of rainforest fuel the headlines all the time

We once read a survival book that recommends climbing tree to get a good look around if you get lost in the jungle. The writer probably didn’t know that Malaysian trees grow in excess of 40 m, straight up, almost without branches. Kids from student camps we hosted during school holidays always comment that the jungle looked like “bar code” on soda cans. Climbing these trees are anything but easy peasy.

Tree canopies shut the forest floor – and lost trekkers - from sunlight and directions. To complicate things further, in the jungle everything looks the same. There are no markers or distinctive landscape. No matter how often you go in and out of the jungle, packing yourself with some survival skills and knowledge are the best contrivance to bring along.

Here are some worthy tips.

Be realistic

You are lost and the worst thing you can do is to continue walking and drain yourself. Access your condition. Ask yourself: What do I need to do today, right now, to survive? How long can the food you packed last? Prioritising and do the most important chores first can help save your hide.

The looming nightfall and darkness is lost trekkers worst enemy. It’s also the time when 90% of wildlife come out to hunt and find food - that’s you, if you’re not careful. If nightfall is drawing near, looking out for a safe shelter to spend the night should be your priority.

Go with the flow

Chances are, you fair better getting lost in the rainforest than anywhere else. Our forest is mostly damp and most plants are soaked in dew in the mornings. Collect dew and rain water with large leafs. Small stream in the jungle is mostly pristine and is safe to drink. Also remember, the smallest tickle always strings itself to a bigger waterway. Go with the flow and you’d usually end up near a river – and human settlement.

Pack smart, not more

When packing your stuffs, always put some thought for “what if I’m lost” essentials. Keep all your survival items into one waist bag and don’t leave camp without it. Below are the must-haves in your survival kit and collectively they should not weight more than 1kg;

1. Carry at least 3 ways to start a fire – Vaseline soaked cotton balls, magnifying glass and cigarette lighter.
2. A small bottle of iodine to disinfect water. Use 1 small drop for every litre.
3. A few zip lock bags for holding water.
4. Dental floss (100m). It’s a light and tough string with many uses.
5. Mini flashlight.
6. Heavy duty garbage bag. It makes great raincoat and waterproof shelter. You can also use it to collect rainwater.
7. All purpose knife made of carbon-steel that can throw sparks when struck on granite.
8. A bottle of antibiotic ointment.
9. Some energy bars.
10. A whistle to draw attention.

Au naturel

Although it’s not easy to find natural resources dry enough to start a fire in the damp forest, some resins, like the keruing tree’s, and bark strips are good fire starters. Look out for natural shelters. Young Leonard Hendrik and Milos Johed who got lost in 2005 in Bau, Sarawak made a cave their home for two nights before being found. Note what wildlife eats in the forest; monkeys are the best indicators. If it’s edible to them, it is most probably to you too.

Draw attention

Break off branches at eye-level, 5 feet above the ground, along the path to help rescue team track you. One can also leave heaps of stones, piles of branches or leafs for the same purpose. A whistle never fails to draw attention and its piercing shrill can echo far.

When making a smoke signal, you get more smoke by adding leaves than wood to the bonfire. Understand that from the air you’ll be a tiny dot. Find an open spot where the plume can rise beyond the forest canopy.

Caveat - take care not to start a forest fire and jeopardize yourself.

Getting along with wildlife

Walking around the rainforest is not like walking through the carnivorous exhibit’s cage in the zoo wearing a sheep’s skin. Carnivorous animals like to mark their territory and leave plenty of clues. So pay attention.

So, if you’re worried about stumbling into a hungry beast, it won’t happen. Firstly, the jungle is too dense for your eyes to make anything out of it. A camouflaged flying fox can fly pass you in a blink. Secondly, your human scent is strange to them and wildlife almost definitely scoots off before you see them. The only ones aren’t backing off are females defending their little ones or nest. So, do give way to a nursing mum.

Keep your sense of humour

Staying positive is everything.