Monday, January 18, 2010

Day II of Olympic Pahang Adventure

APOLLO

The dawn of Day 2 saw the Higher group eagerly assembling in preparation for the day's activities. After a hearty breakfast and warm up exercises, they conducted an equipment check.



The four groups were divided into three and set out on to face the mornings tasks. The abseilers were given a safety tutorial and shown how to correctly descend a steep cliff.








Great fun was had and after all the students had attempted the 30 metre cliff they were last seen hurrying towards the second, 'taller' cliff for more exciting descents.

Another sub group of Apollo spent the morning climbing a stand alone limestone escarpment. The climb is both physically and mentally challenging rising to 12 -15 metres.
Two Apollo students were climbing the face at the same time and there was a great sense of Olympic Spirit. The students waiting on the ground were shouting calls of encouragement for the climbers to persevere and not give up, giving vital assistance on where to put feet and hands.











The last bunch of Apollos apprentices were last observed prepping their equipment and getting ready for an extensive hike through the jungle to the Kota Gelanggi caves.

HERMES

As the day moved on we caught up with the Second group of Hermes contenders at Jeram Besu just as they finished their lunches. They were heading out to either take a raft ride down the rapids or cross the river twice using a flying fox and then swimming back across using a guide line in the water. It was clear to all that great enjoyment had taken place during the morning excercises and there was great excitement regarding the afternoons activities.

I visited the flying fox group first who were a mixture of wet (abandonment) and dry (apprehension) as the groups were split where half the group had already had one go and the other half were awaiting their first turn. The merriment at the base of the flying fox stand was only interrupted by ear piercing screams of exhilaration as another student flew across the wide river.



To get back across from the other side of the river students had to cross the river using a guide water that led them through the base of rapids. As the students touched back on dry land talk was of strong currents and the need to hold onto the rope tightly.










Whilst the flying foxes were flying the other group were being given their water competence briefing.

After the initiation was complete I witnessed the Hermes pupils take to the water in their rafts and hurtle there way past where I stood on the bank.
When I caught up with them later they were a bundle of thumbs up and smiles in soaking wet clothes, it was clear a great time had been had.


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