Nueng: "we made it! "
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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 |