MULU NP – Sarawak, East Malaysia – 28 September 2024
After climbing up Mount Kinabalu, then dropping into Miri to see Niah Caves, we flew ovr to Mulu NP where we would be spending the next 9 days either caving or participating in the International Show Caves Conference. Stonehorse Cave would be our first pre-conference cave and it is an “adventure cave” as opposed to a “show cave”.
Jim and I and a cave manager from Germany, Yvonne, and our guide would be Chris. Stone Horse is a “wild cave” (ie it’s not a “show cave” for tourists) and is used for Adventure caving as there’s some rope work involved. John B had told me a bit about it so I was pretty sure it was a good fit for me. Little did I know that this would be a test, if I “looked like I knew what I was doing”, then I would be good to go on the Clearwater cave adventure trip the next day. I must have done ok as I was able to go on Clearwater – obviously Chris didn’t notice how slow I was going up the steps!
We followed a boardwalk for about 3k, the Park has a maze of boardwalks throughout, just a well, I wouldn’t like to be walking through the rainforest, lots of soggy bits.
And then up about 200 steps (I’m pretty much over steps).
Jim, Yvonne and Chris at the cave entrance. We were given harnesses and cows-tails as there would be some rope work.
It was pretty easy going, although getting my head back into caving is always a challenge to start with – watching where I put my feet, not touching formations, trying to take in the cave – too much to do at the same time.
A short distance into the cave, and a good spot for a photo op.
This is what we were looking at, a very, very thin wall with nice formation.
Some nice formation on the ceiling.
A Scutigera Centipede (aka a “house centipede”) apparently their bite is like a bee sting.
Our first challenge and Yvonne wasn’t too happy.
So, I suggested that she sit down and give it a go (much less committing than stepping backwards), and she made it across.
There was one other climb up that I didn’t photograph, and then this climb down.
Chris showing how it was done. The climb down was relatively simple, but Yvonne didn’t like it.
The trip was a bounce trip (ie, we’d be coming back the same way) so I suggested that Jim and Chis went on ahead and I’d sit with Yvonne until they came back. They took longer than expected but we had somewhere comfortable to sit, so not a big deal.
Once they got back it was just a matter of retracing our steps. This is a shot of Chris approaching the exit/entrance chamber in the distance.
It was a really nice introduction to what Mulu had to offer, and not at all challenging. Once we were out of the cave we walked about a k to the Deer Cave viewing platform. Apparently, if we sat there until around 5pm we’d see the bat exodus. We waited until 5 and then gave up, we’d see it another day.
I have to say, I was hot and sweatty by the time we got back to our room, was so pleased to have a cold shower! Next day … Clearwater Connection!