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Conquering the Climb, Not the Plateau: A Day at Jamo Falls

11th April, 6.02pm. My friend and I departed from Kuching at 4am and reached Dapoi, Ulu Tinjau Baram after driving for more than 13 hours. 

11th April, 6.17pm. We can see Jamo waterfall in front of us. We plan to hike up to Jamo waterfall and hike along the plateau to reach the other end to explore that area.

11th April, 8.07pm. To our surprise, a homestay is just near the waterfall, run by a Chinese named Mr. Wong from Miri. He offers us to stay at the homestay. Our initial plan was to go camping. 

12th April, 2.59am. I woke up to go to the bathroom, and notice the night sky, and the Milky Way, could be seen by naked eyes.

12th April, 3.04am. The temperature also drops to around 21 degrees Celsius. A good temperature to sleep, I just snug into my sleeping bag and go to sleep again in at hammock. 

12th April. 4.14am. I can't fall back to sleep again. So I told myself, not every day I can see Milky Way in the night sky, so I got up and took more photos on the mikly way. 

12 April, 6.09am. The Dapoi river next to the homestay and the Jamo waterfall. 

12 April. 6.11am. The sea of clouds on top of the mountain. 

12 April. 6.15am. Jamo waterfall is seen from above. And opposite this plateau is the Usun Apau National Park. 

12 April. 6.19am. The trailhead of Jamo waterfall is just in front. Sunlight, a celestial spotlight, painted the mountain in a warm glow. Wisps of mist danced across its surface, lending it an air of mystery

12th April. 7.15am. The signboard says that this Jamo waterfall is under the community Kampung Apau Nyaring, Kampung Long Liaw, Kampung Long Kerong, Kampung Long Buken, Kampung Long Lobang, and also Kampung Long Sengong watch. So whoever wish to enter the waterfall area, need to obtain permission from either one of these Kampung first. 

12th April. 7.34am. Fifteen minutes in, and it's been nothing but uphill. My valiant attempt at a six-pack seems to be hiding under a layer of determination (and maybe a donut or two). My breath sounds suspiciously like a wheezing accordion, and a rogue pebble has declared war on my pinky toe. Still, gotta channel that inner mountain goat and reach that waterfall... eventually.

aching

12th April. 8am. We conquered the base of Jamo Falls! The 80-meter cascade tumbled down serenely, a gentle giant whispering secrets to the rocks below. No time to linger, though. Our map whispered tales of another waterfall hidden in a valley on the far side of the plateau. Adventure beckoned, and our weary legs, fueled by wanderlust (and maybe a hint of waterfall envy), obeyed.







12th April, 9.20am. The climb intensified. The higher we ascended, the steeper the path became. Some sections resembled near-vertical walls, demanding a cautious hand on any sturdy root or plant life that could offer a lifeline. One misstep here could mean a nasty tumble. We pressed on, each handhold a testament to our determination (and a silent prayer for the occasional handrail!).



12th April. 9.49am. We finally reached the source! A gushing stream, the very lifeblood of Jamo Falls, snaked its way across our path. Relief washed over me – we'd made it safely, and what a journey it had been! Exhaustion gnawed at my muscles, a delightful ache earned by the breathtaking beauty surrounding us. This, I thought, is a sign. Time to trade donut-fueled hikes for a life brimming with healthy eats and active adventures.


12th April. 10am. Casually dangling my legs off the edge of this waterfall (like a total badass in the photo, at least). Don't let the picture fool you - my insides are doing a synchronized swimming routine of pure terror. But hey, gotta conquer those fears, one death-defying pose at a time, right?

12th April, 10.06am. The homestay can be seen from the top of the waterfall.





12th April, 11.11am.We pressed onward, the plateau beckoning us to explore its hidden secrets. A shady haven by a gurgling stream offered a welcome respite. Here, we paused to recharge, the cool water whispering tales of the valley ahead.

12th April. 11.20am. A splash of color caught my eye along the streambank. There, nestled beneath the crystal-clear water, thrived a vibrant plant. Its petals, a spectrum of reddish-pink, swayed gently in the current. It's amazing how nature finds a way to flourish in even the most unexpected places.


12 April, 1.02pm. Nature unveiled another wonder along the stream – a series of natural potholes resembling jacuzzis! One of my adventurous friends couldn't resist taking a dip in this geologically-crafted hot tub. It boggles the mind to imagine how long nature took to sculpt these marvels.




12th April. 1.23pm. Our hike followed the stream, punctuated by dramatic drops that tumbled into cascading waterfalls. This particular one was a showstopper – wide, powerful, and several meters tall. Sunlight speared through the sky, illuminating the cascading water. As it crashed at the base, a plume of mist erupted, catching the sun's rays and exploding into a vibrant rainbow. A perfect confluence of nature's elements, right before our eyes!









12th April. 2.08pm. The photo captures the majesty of the waterfall in all its three-tiered glory. The second tier reigns supreme, cascading down into a sizeable pool before gracefully continuing its descent.  This spot whispered "camping paradise" to me. Easy access? Probably not. Daily visits? Now that's a dream worth chasing! 




12th April. 2.30pm. The final waterfall guarded its beauty fiercely. Tucked away in a basin, access demanded a baptism by the rushing current. Determined to capture the moment (and maybe a little phone-obsessed), I clung to my phone with one hand while doggy-paddling with the other. It wasn't exactly graceful, and a mini-panic attack ensued when I nearly went under (hello, water resistance!). Thankfully, a quick reality check and a switch to two-handed swimming propelled me towards the base. And there it was, a breathtaking reward for my slightly soggy adventure!


12th April. 3.53pm. While we didn't conquer the entire plateau, the day unfolded perfectly. We delved into the heart of the stream, the very source that feeds the mighty Jamo Falls.  Exhausted but exhilarated, it was time to retrace our steps, our hearts brimming with memories and legs yearning for a well-deserved rest.








Comments

Anonymous said…
Greeting from US. Stumble upon your pictures. I am speechless. It was so breath taking Beautiful. Keep up the good work.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 12:11:00 PM GMT+8
Willow Bunny said…
What a beautifully captured photos!! thanks for sharing!
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 11:58:00 AM GMT+8
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