We were given a lift o the trail head at eight o'clock the next morning and then began the climb up to the crater rim, about 3000 feet above sea level. It was a tough climb up the narrow jungle trail, but there were fixed ropes at some of the steepest parts and the trail as open and clear. Of the three of us I found it the hardest going and had to take frequent stops, Madison kept a steady pace but Alice proved to be the fittest and fastest of the three of us. As usual I was carrying too much weight, including my hammock and binoculars. As we needed to each carry at least two litres of water that added a considerable weight to the load, as well as our food for three days. Once on the crater rim the trail followed the ridge and our pace quickened considerably. We saw few birds and no animals as we walked. The trail led through montaign rainforest and there were no huge dipterocarp trees with their vast buttressed roots, but smaller versions , tall thin trees without the buttresses roots.Yet it was still incredibly beautiful pristine forest.
At times there were ropes and ladders to help us up the steepest part of the trail. I think it took about six hours to reach Nepenthes Camp and Cowboy said tactfully said that though we were not the fastest trekkers we were not the slowest either. The camp was actually a hut like those at the Study Centre but much smaller shabbier and dirtier, but for us when we arrived tired and soaked in sweat it was heaven in the jungle. There was even a generator that Cowboy got started and we had electric light that evening.