We have "preached" about the 4x4 safety, drilled the proper discipline of off-roading and stop short of nagging (some say we already did!). Well, Fadzil, our friend based in Malaysia just "survived" a little adventure he and his friends put up recently. While details may be shaddy, the crux remains. Better go prepared and never go alone, if you want to return from your romping in Nature.

Special thanks to Fadzil for the update!

A.Fadzil writes...

Dear JeepNation,

The Ulu Sedili track that Jeepnation went in, back in November, is now much tougher. The track is no longer accessible to cars as before. I went in last Sunday and my body is still aching of manual labor and after-shocks. Sorry got no pictures of the actions as proof (Ed: We accept in good faith).

Anyway...
An Isuzu Invader on MT 117EX and a Jimny SJ 410 SWB on 50% worn 28" lorry tires went in 3 hours ahead of myself (Kembara with 28.4" lorry tires) and a Feroza with 60% worn 29" on-road tires.

The route towards the logging area is now paved with red brick pieces. The fun starts the very moment you enter the logging area. Deep mud holes caused the Feroza to scrapped bottom. Small streams cutting across the tracks were forming gullies, a 6-8m mud pool and the 3 worn bridges, all made the course to the campsite exciting - to say the least. Less than 4 minutes walk from the campsite was a collapsed bridge (non-existent before), loose soil one side and collapsed bank on the left with a cave-in the middle of the track - tough.

Despite being 3 hrs late, the 2nd convoy caught up with the 1st convoy on this particular bridge. A fallen tree of about 6" of diameter crossing their path held them up. Armed with only a knife, it took them 30 min to clear the blockage. The Invader went pass but somehow got its right rear tire fender ripped denting the body. They spent another hour to clear the nasty log. The Jimny was cranky; at times the engine would fail and had to be towed along, probably caused by going through the deep mud holes at high speed.

While the Intruder made it through the obstacle, the Jimny could not and it had to be recovered with tension pulling combined with 3 'monkeys'. Even this could not get the Jimny out. Without any winch, we had to resort to the snatching method. In an instant the Jimny lobbed to the right, and seemingly "bounced" across the cave-in patch and landed on all fours (Ed: Picture that!).

The campsite was empty, littered, mosquitoes, flies and the ever-faithful leeches. The flowing river was slightly murky compared to our last visit courtesy of daily rain.

On hearing the flowing river, the children immediately dove in while the adults unpacked and prepared lunch. Leaving the missus to BBQ, the guys went for a dip while fishing using nets, within 2 hauls (an hour) we got about 20 fishes, no longer than an adult's palm. The fishes were scaled and fried on the spot.

By 1600HRS the 5 of us (2-seasoned, 1-3rd timer, 2-new) attempted to built a make-shift bridge. We had to do manual pulling, rolling and carrying of logs. 30 minutes later satsfied that our mended bridge was safe we returned to campsite just as the rain started to drop dogs and cats on us.

Still drizzling they decided to cross the obstacle. Fearing that the Invader would get stuck and not having any means of recovery, we decided to sent the Feroza 1st. Despite cautiously crawling over the precarious logs, the logs gave way and the Feroza lobbed to the right angling over 30 degrees. We had to resort to snatching from the rear when all other viable methods failed. The trapped vehicle lobbed and jolted like a wild horse being broken-in.

This time round we had the confidence to send the invader 1st. We were elated when it cleared the obstacle with no hitch through calm and patient signalling from me. The Feroza was then guided through. It cleared nicely but could not follow through thanks to the slippery ground and balding on-road tires. A slight tug from the Isuzu freed the Feroza in the end.

After much struggles, we finally made it out of our little "adventure trail"

Guys, my advise is not to enter the track without proper recovery tools, sufficient manpower, a large, well-equipped vehicle, have at least be shod with All Terrain tires if not Mud Terrain, avoid rainy season and finally bring loads of food, just in case. I reckon, the track would be increasingly difficult year's end as large 4wd frequent the track.

Rgds,
A.Fadzil