Disclaimer: The writeup and pictures attachment are mostly based on series of special reports by Daily Express reporter Kan Yaw Chong in 1998. These hardcopy materials could be found at Sabah Archives. Other materials would be credited with links accordingly.
The Low’s Gully 1998 Joint Malaysian-British Expedition remains one of the most exhilarating and daring stories in the history of extreme caving.
It was an adventure marked by a blend of triumph, camaraderie, and sheer survival against one of nature’s most formidable landscapes.
The Call of the Abyss
Deep in the heart of Borneo, hidden between the rugged eastern and western plateaus of Mount Kinabalu, lies Low’s Gully – a 10-mile stretch of plunging cliffs and untamed wilderness.
Dubbed as one of the last unexplored gorges on Earth, Low’s Gully had a history of daring expeditions that ended in dramatic tales.
The gorge’s treacherous nature was so infamous that British commandos in the 1970s called one entrance "Commando Cauldron", a name that spoke volumes about their failed attempt to conquer its depths.
By 1998, a new chapter was ready to be written. Led by Pat Gunson, a vegetarian nuclear engineer from Britain’s Lake District, a 23-member team composed of seasoned adventurers and local experts gathered for a mission that would challenge their skills and resolve.
Their objective? To chart the deep recesses of Low’s Gully and return with tales of conquest.
The Expedition Begins
The team arrived on March 2, 1998, officially beginning their venture on March 4, with an anticipated completion date of March 16.
The expedition was graced by the expertise of local heroes like Martin Moguring, the Kinabalu Park Enforcement Head, whose jungle knowledge would prove essential.
Alongside him was John Sangkig, a trusted figure of Sabah Parks, and a support team including Andau Gunsalam, stationed at Easy Valley, and Benedict Gangku at Donkey’s Ear.
Among the foreign cavers, Kenneth Taylor brought 40 years of experience but faced an early and unexpected end to his journey. A cruel twist of fate saw him injured by boulders that crushed his fingers and left his hand bruised. This misfortune not only sidelined Taylor but underscored the unforgiving nature of the gully.
Tengku Adlin, the expedition’s adviser, captured the essence of the mission by likening it to “Mount Everest upside down,” emphasising the immense difficulty of navigating a landscape where the usual rules of climbing didn’t apply.
The Elements Unleashed
Navigating the gully was a complex dance of strategy and survival. Chips Rafferty, a renowned British caving instructor and mountaineer. Rafferty had mentioned that even 2 cm of rainfall could significantly alter the dynamics of the cave system.
For rigger Tony Dilger, the local knowledge provided by Martin and John was invaluable. “They saved us from real trouble during the derigging phase,” he recalled, underscoring how survival in this remote jungle was as much about teamwork as it was about technical skill.
Lessons from the Land
The expedition wasn’t just about the physical challenge; it was a spiritual journey. Mount Kinabalu is revered by the Kadazandusun people as a sacred mountain, a place where spirits of the departed are tested.
The team underwent *Momodu* rituals—one at the start for protection and another post-expedition to restore their spirits, recognising the toll that such a journey could take on one’s mind and soul.
Simon Latimer, part of the advance team, spoke of the close bond he formed with Martin, who imparted invaluable survival knowledge. From identifying edible plants to mastering the art of fire-making, these lessons were put to practical use throughout the mission.
Triumph Amidst the Trials
Despite the challenges, the 1998 expedition succeeded where others had failed. They reached the base camp 3,000 feet down, near the Panataran River, charting a path through Low’s Gully that would become a benchmark for future explorers.
This was the first successful descent that included Malaysians, a testament to the collaboration between local expertise and international determination.
The Legacy Lives On
The Low’s Gully 98 expedition left an indelible mark on the world of extreme exploration. It wasn’t just about conquering one of the last unexplored gorges but about the stories of resilience, friendship, and respect for nature that it fostered.
The team’s success was a triumph of human spirit, where diverse individuals came together to face one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.
Today, as we look back on that historic journey, it stands as a reminder that exploration is as much about the people and their stories as it is about the places they venture.
The 1998 descent into Low’s Gully was more than just an expedition; it was a celebration of courage, unity, and the awe-inspiring power of the natural world.
NOTES:
Previous Attempts and Lessons Learned
The journey of exploration into Low’s Gully had a storied history filled with challenges:
- 1851: The gully was first noted by British Sir Hugh Low, the mountain’s namesake, during his explorations of Mount Kinabalu.
- 1970s: A team of British commandos attempted to descend the gully but failed, giving Commando Cauldron its ominous name.
- 1992: Robert New and Steve Pinfield, pioneering cavers, made significant strides in their exploration but did not complete the descent.
- 1994: A ten-member British military team faced near-tragedy when five soldiers went missing for 30 days, surviving only by sheer will. Their story became a cautionary tale that underscored the risks of entering the gully unprepared.
- 1998: The first successful descent, including both British and Malaysian explorers, would change the narrative of Low’s Gully forever.
Key Expedition Details: Low’s Gully 98 Joint Malaysian-British Expedition
- Team Size: 23 members
- Key Dates:
- Arrival: March 2
- Official Start: March 4
- Completion: March 16
- Original Plan: March 2-21
- Recognition: One of the last unexplored gorges on Earth
- Film Documentation: “Cicada Films”
- Leader: Pat Gunson (Nuclear Engineer)
- Adviser: Tengku Adlin
2. Team Composition
Advance Team:
- Martin Moguring (Kinabalu Park Enforcement Head)
- Chips Rafferty (Mountaineer, caving instructor)
- Steve Long (British caver)
- Simon Latimer
Second Group:
- John Sangkig
- Additional expedition members
3. Specialists and Roles
Commando Cauldron Team:
- Kenneth Taylor (Veteran caver, 40 years’ experience)
- Mick Lomas (Electrical engineer)
- Steve Long (Experienced mountaineer)
- Chips Rafferty (National caving instructor)
Support Team (radio communication):
- Andau Gunsalam (Easy Valley)
- Jon Reeves (Expedition Liaison Officer)
- Benedict Gangku (Donkey’s Ear)
Notable Individuals:
- Tony Dilger (Rigger and graphic designer)
- Paul MacKrill (Experienced climber)
- Richard Mayfield (Soldier from the 1994 expedition)
4. Cultural and Spiritual Aspects
- Monolob ritual at Panalaban: The sacrifice of while chickens and some chanting
- Momodu Rituals:
- March 2: Protective shield ritual
- March 19: Ritual to restore spirit after long expedition
5. Historical Background
- Discovery and Previous Attempts:
- 1851: Discovered by Hugh Low
- 1970s: British commandos’ failed descent
- 1992: Robert New and Steve Pinfield’s pioneering attempt
- 1994: Five soldiers missing for 30 days in a failed military mission
- 1998: First successful descent with Malaysian participants
- 1999: Steve Long’s return expedition
6. Geographical Features of Low’s Gully
- Length: 10 miles (deepest gorge)
- Features:
- Cliffs descending thousands of feet
- Divides Mount Kinabalu’s eastern and western plateaus
- Notable Locations:
- Commando Cauldron (Entry point between Donkey’s Ears and Tunku Abdul Rahman Peak)
- Easy Valley (East of Tunku Abdul Rahman Peak)
- Robert’s Fall (Campsite)
- Lone Tree (Head of Low’s Gully)
7. Key Challenges and Observations
- Shooting rockfalls: Size of rocks range from few centimeters up to metres
- Jungle Expertise: Tony Dilger credited local knowledge for saving the team during derigging
- Kadazandusun Beliefs: Mount Kinabalu viewed as sacred, testing ground for spirits
Comments
Post a Comment