Pulong Tau National Park

Welcome to the remote, misty heights of Pulong Tau National Park in Sarawak. I am your guide, a botanist and cultural geographer. …

Our journey commences in the surrounding Kelabit Highlands, the vital cultural gateway to the park, near settlements like Bario and Ba'kelalan. Before we ascend into the wild, we must understand the anthropogenic landscape. …

As we begin our ascent, we enter the primary lower montane forest. As a botanist, I draw your attention to the dramatic shift in vegetation compared to the lowland jungles. …

Pause along this rocky outcrop. We have encountered one of the most fascinating botanical adaptations in the botanical world: the Nepenthes, or pitcher plants. …

We have now breached the 1,500-meter elevation mark, entering the upper montane, or 'mossy' forest. The transformation is absolute and otherworldly. …

Breaking through the dense mossy forest, we arrive at a large, unexpected clearing known as Church Camp, situated at roughly 2,000 meters above sea level. You will see several wooden structures, including a church capable of…

We have reached our ultimate objective: the summit of Mount Murud, the highest peak in the state of Sarawak, standing at an imposing 2,423 meters (7,946 feet). Notice the distinctive geomorphology; Murud is a sandstone mountain…

As we prepare to descend from the heights of Mount Murud, let us synthesize the data from our expedition. Pulong Tau National Park is a sanctuary of global ecological importance. …