We departed Bario with bitter sweet goodbyes to the three J’s (Jack, Jenny and Jonny) – who sadly couldn’t join us on trek due respectively to chronic D&V, a saw wound and a early flight home (incidentally Jonny missed his early flight home after over indulging on beer in Miri. We all hope he was more successful with his A level results).
The remaining trek squad loaded up the 4x4 and headed off the trek start line at Pa’ Ukat. Heavy rain in the Bario area however caused the truck to sink deep into the mud half way there and a precious 45 minutes were spent heaving it back out. Soon after, we were off on an epic adventure and soon discovered that a late start and knackered truck were the least of our worries. 
A scenic start to the scorching day’s trek began with an hour long trek to and through Pa’ Ukat before we entered the jungle proper. Our beloved guide Rian then unfortunately led us on an hour and a half’s gruelling trek up the wrong (and almost vertical) mountain. Having realised the error at the top of view hill, Rian played the detour off as a nice lunch spot and possible short cut to the summit of Batu Lawi. Our intrepid leader Oz - who has completed the Batu Lawi trek once before - was also keen to follow on this route, with many of us believing he simply wanted to get the entire group lost and enjoy some ‘advanced jungle training’.
A very democratic vote was held however and after enjoying a ‘scenic picnic’ among swarms of hungry sweet bees and sand flies we descended back into the valley to find the main trail. This had been obliterated by a massive dead tree fall and once back on track we gleefully scampered up the gorgeous waterfall and boulder strewn river course for several hours of ‘champagne trekking’.
The difficult first day was called to a halt early due to monsoon rains sweeping down from the mountains above us and we rapidly set up an early camp next to a roaring waterfall. The group remained cheerful however and during that night’s noodles it emerged from the racy banter that we were collectively confident they could make up the time lost that day and be the fastest group to complete the trek.
