| |
 We
started our drive towards Namtok Troknong (Troknong waterfall) in
Janthaburi province, and arrived in early afternoon. |
| Our
group of friends were stirring with excitement before our hike up
the mountain, taking pictures, joking, laughing; it was a joyous occasion
and everyone felt like they were on an expedition to explore an undiscovered
world. |
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 |
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| La
la la ..this will be like a walk in the park. |
errr..how
come they never trim this park? |
This
is no park, its a freakin jungle!! |
Nueng: "we made it! "
 |
The
path through the mountain jungle demanded that the trekkers be in
good physical condition. We had to climb on rocks, jump over ravines,
duck under fallen trees, parried all the thorny flora. The weather
had a hint of overcast and began a slight drizzle which didn’t worry
us… yet.
 It
is not uncommon for the forest rains to flush everything in its path
like a toilet removing excrement (this phenomena in Thai is called
Nam-Pa, literally forest water), and Nam-Pa had previously came through
Namtok Troknong earlier in the day. After almost two hours, we arrived
at the medial waterfall after travelling 2.5 kilometers through the
jungle.
We left the density of the jungle vegetation
and headed towards the sound of water smashing against the rocks.
After we found the clearing, the torrent water flowing over monstrous
rocks were surreal like a scene from an oil painting commonly found
hanging over a fireplace. My friends and I ran towards the water and
began playing in the stream like children. The more adventurous members
of our group began climbing the moss-covered rocks to get to higher
levels, which was extremely difficult because of the torrent water
and slippery rocks. We found and settled upon a tarn, and swam in
this natural, fish inhabited pool. |
 As
evening rolled around, we had to begin our descent before sunset,
otherwise be lost in the jungle. This is where things really gets
exciting because my friend Putt and I decided to leave the group and
head down the cascade instead of taking the forest path. Afterall,
we figured that water takes the shortest path down the mountain, and
Putt and I had the sense of adventure. Besides, who wanted to go back
through the insect infested jungle?
The first hour of our adventure, we felt like
Rambo; jumping from rock-to-rock, leaping into tarns, swimming to
the next waterfall, and climbing down each level. With each jump,
leap, swim, and climb the sky gradually became darker, and our legs
became increasingly tired; now there was a sense of urgency. Jump,
leap, swim, climb… slip, wincing in pain, fatigue. The rains started
to come down harder, and now we were worried. The lactic acid in my
legs were burning, my back was aching from trying to lower my center
of gravity for the past 2 hours. I slipped countless times and missed
hitting my head on a rock by inches. I braced my fall with my hand
and thought I broke it upon impact.
 Now
we were moving on pure adrenaline, and the need to survive. Who knows
if the Nam-Pa will come down to flush us out? Crawling, sliding, slipping,
wincing… PAIN! It was now twilight and almost impossible to see where
we were going. Putt and I decided to head back into the forest to
hopefully find a trail back, because it was too dangerous to continue
down the cascade and not being able to see. We had no idea where we
were, and what appeared to be a trail were dead ends. We fell, grabbed
onto thorny vines, and crawled our way through pitch darkness and
an occasional firefly to tease our frustration. This was hopeless,
and dangerous. Who knows what wild animals, snakes, bugs live in this
tropical habitation?
We eventually decided to crawl our way back to the waters, and found
a large rock to settle upon. Putt jokingly said that it would be an
experience we’d never forget and something worth sharing and writing
about. The mosquitoes were eating us alive, and the water was frigid.
The fear of Nam-pa remained on our minds, but we decided we were going
to sleep on the rock.
 After
about a half-hour, we heard faint yelling in the distance. Putt and
I took turns yelling at the top of our lungs so that they could locate
us. It seemed like an eternity but the park rangers finally made their
way to us accompanied by two of our friends. They lead us out of the
forest towards the trail, but my legs couldn’t carry my weight anymore.
I had to hang on the ranger’s shoulder inching my way back. After
what seemed like an eternity, we cleared the jungle and arrived back
at our car, full of scratches, bruises, and splinters imbedded into
our skin.
Putt and I thanked the rangers with our lives,
and offered them a cash reward, which they humbly declined; what true
heroes! Now that we are safe and sound and the experience forever
in our memories, it is definitely an experience worth sharing and
writing about…
Written by: Don
Chumsai
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