The Pinnacles EarthCache
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MULU NP,SARAWAK,BORNEO
The pinnacle formations of Gunung Api and Benarat are spectacular examples of this type of karst feature. The Pinnacles have been formed in the limestone which occurs at the edges of the plateau or valleys from water percolating through the soil.
The Pinnacles are a karst feature, created by carbon dioxide rich water dissolving the calcium carbonate, the main mineral in limestone.
All limestone is deposited as horizontal layers but movement of the Earth's plates causes these layers to develop vertical cracks. As the limestone is lifted above the sea, soil is formed on top and water soaking into the soil, can more easily flow down the cracks than through the pores in the limestone itself making the cracks wider and deeper. Soil collapses into the space left by the removal of the limestone.
The high rainfall means the soil is always wet and full of micro organisms generating carbon dioxide. The process of widening and deepening the cracks becomes more exaggerated than in a drier climate.
Over the past 5 million years or so these mountains have been simultaneously lifted up and worn down by heavy rain. Soils which once covered the limestone have been washed away to expose the pinnacled surface of the limestone mountains.
Today, carbon dioxide rich water continues to dissolve the rock, sculpting these razor sharp spires in the forest but the damp soil between the pinnacles contains more carbon dioxide than the air. As a result, the solution process is working more quickly in the crevasses and the limestone between the pinnacles is dissolved more rapidly than at the top.
This means that they are actually getting taller!
Gunung Mulu National Park, (52,000 Ha) in Sarawak encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting.
Given the spectacular nature of the park and its biological significance, it was not surprising that Mulu was successfully listed as a world heritage site in November 2000. To qualify for world heritage status a park must meet one of the four following criteria:
* Be an outstanding example of the world’s geology.
* Be an outstanding representative example of on-going evolutionary processes.
* Be of exceptional natural beauty.
* Contain significant natural habitat for in-situ conservation of biological diversity and the protection of threatened species.
Mulu meets all four of these:-
Earth’s history and geological features
… .Mulu’s concentration of caves, its geomorphic and structural characteristics are an outstanding resource, which allows a greater understanding of Earth’s history.
Ecological Processes
… Mulu provides outstanding scientific opportunities to study theories on the origins of cave faunas.
Superlative natural phenomena or natural beauty and aesthetic importance
… Mulu has outstanding scenic values, including the natural phenomenon of millions of bats and swiftlets leaving and entering the caves is a superlative wildlife spectacle.
Biodiversity and threatened species
… .Mulu provides significant natural habitat for a wide range of plant and animal diversity both above and below ground.
TO LOG THIS CACHE:
1. Go to Park HQ and read the display boards in the visitors centre.
A)Name one plant that grows in the area.
B) Name the 2 animals that live within the many caves.
Email me these answers
2. Complete the Pinnacles walk:
A) and take a photo of yourself with the Pinnacles in the background.
B) Measure the thickness of the closest pinnacle( the one you can sit on). NB Be careful they are razor sharp.
THE PINNACLES WALK IS EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. YOU WILL NEED TO ORGANISE A GUIDE AT PARK HQ. YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO ORGANISE A LONGBOAT FROM PARK HQ TO LONG BERAR (1-2 HOURS DEPENDING ON WATER LEVELS).
FROM LONG BERAR IT IS A FLAT 8.8KM WALK TO CAMP 5 ALONG THE MELINAU TRAIL.
YOU WILL NEED TO STAY AT CAMP 5 FOR 2 NIGHTS. LEAVE CAMP 5 AT DAWN THE NEXT DAY TO START THE PINNACLES HIKE. A VERY STEEP AND SLIPPERY ROUTE COVERED IN ROCKS AND TREE ROOTS.
THE TRAIL IS 2.4KM ONE WAY BUT THIS WILL TAKE YOU 5 HOURS AT A GOOD PACE MORE IF YOU ARE A SLOW WALKER.
THE LAST 400M ( IF YOU HAVEN'T REACHED THIS POINT BY 11AM YOUR GUIDE WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO CONTINUE TO THE TOP) IS VIRTUALLY FREE CLIMBING BUT THERE ARE LADDERS AND ROPES AT THE MOST DIFFICULT PLACES.
AT THE SUMMIT OF MT API IS A TINY AREA YOU CAN HAVE LUNCH AND ENJOY THE STUNNING VIEWS OVER THE PINNACLES.
LEAVE THE TOP BY NOON TO GET BACK TO CAMP BEFORE DARK. (I LEFT AT 12.30 AND GOT BACK AT 4PM)
ENJOY A SWIM AT CAMP 5 AFTERWARDS SPEND THE NIGHT THEN RETURN TO PARK HQ THE NEXT DAY, ( 8.8KM BACK TO LONG BERAR WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE ARRANGED THE LONGBOAT TO BE READY TO PICK YOU UP.)
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