This second posting covers:
Khun Chae National Park: hiking at Doi Langka Trekking Trail, 19km for 3D2N. First campsite is Langka Noi; second campsite is Pha Ngom.
Doi Inthanon National Park: hiking Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail and Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail.
Do CLICK HERE to view 277 photos taken by yours truly, KC Leong.
A nice cafe at the trailhead village
About Doi Langka Trekking Trail:
We hiked at the ridges most of the time, connecting from one hill to another to arrive at the destination. One hiker commented that why can't they cut the trails horizontally (at the side of hills) so that one does not need to go up and down the hill top. But the answer is that it is easier to create the trails at the ridges - the high ground where the land slopes down on either side, forming a narrow trail on top.
In that 3D2N hiking trip, going up that barren steep uphill was tough and scary; then the numerous steep downhills to the second campsite, and finally to the endpoint. When a challenge is tough, so is the satisfaction of overcoming it.
When Nong, mountain guide, was in front of me, I saw that he skidded five times (lost traction) when going downhill. I was the second person in controlling the pace of the guide and the team members behind me. Later, then Bright, another mountain guide, was in front of me; he slipped and sit on his buttock thrice. Well, for me, I finally slipped at a narrow spot in between two tents at the second campsite.
We have to cross this hill with steep slope before arriving at the first campsite (Edance, Amy, Moy, Josephine); mountain guide, Bright, on the left.
Fees/expenses:
(a) Renting of camping tent, sleeping bag and pad from mountain guide = 500 Baht;
(b) Weight = 5kg;
(c) Porter fees = 5kg x 120 Baht per kg = 600 Baht;
(d) Say, personal items = 4kg x 120 = 480 Baht porter fees;
(e) Total expenditure = 1,580 Baht (RM200).
At the top of the hill (ChengLi, Shu-Lin, Ivy Chin, Christine)
Porter Service:
Camping tents, sleeping bags and pads (constant weight; about 5kg) are carried separately by porters, and our personal items by another porters. Because porters arrive at campsite earlier, they set up tents for us (also help to dismantle them the next morning). Only sleeping bags are labelled with names for reuse in night #2 (tent and pad were randomly chose again).
The porters are strong. Each could carry around 30kg of weight and go up the steep and scary slope.
The first campsite
Elevation Comparison:
High Pine Campsite (sebelah Istana Sri Pahang), Fraser's Hill = 1,300 meters above sea level;
Sungai Pauh Campsite, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands = 1,480m;
Sungai Pauh Campsite, Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands = 1,480m;
Moon Shadow Resorts (Pha Tang area) = 1,320m;
Northern Thailand is experiencing the winter feel; hence, we felt much colder compare to Fraser's Hill or Cameron Highlands.
Doi Pha Tang Viewpoint 104 = 1,570m;
(107 is higher; 102, 103 are almost same height as 104)
Phu Chi Dao Viewpoint = 1,800m;
Langka Noi Campsite (1st campsite) = 1,679m;
Pha Ngom Campsite (2nd campsite) = 1,500m;
Doi Inthanon National Park - Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail = 2,100m;
hence, when we hiked this trail, it was 11°C at 9am as it is high up in the mountain.
hence, when we hiked this trail, it was 11°C at 9am as it is high up in the mountain.
Doi Inthanon National Park - Pha Dok Sieo Nature Trail (with waterfall) = 1,100m.
Sunset at first campsite; tents at the foreground is the kitchen area, nestled within bushes as shield to strong wind
Dinner is ready
Simple and delicious dinner
Next morning breakfast
This is how water is filtered for drinking by using a Sawyer filter (Christine, Shu-Lin)
Hike to 2nd campsite - Pha Ngom campsite
The trails are created mostly on the ridges, where the land slopes down on either side, forming a narrow trail on top; hence, there are many uphill and downhill hikes traversing the many hills.
Pha Ngom campsite (2nd campsite) - campsite with a view of sunset; though the view is partly blocked by the trees.
Pha Ngom campsite - 3rd day: this is how the porters cook rice
Time to break camp and continue with the journey
Continue the hiking journey
Arriving at trail-end where 4WDs are ready to pick us back to Registration Office. The journey takes about 10 minutes (nearer).
Getting ready with the token of appreciation for porters and guides
Presenting the tips to the porters by our Treasurer, Josephine Lee, in rewarding a tough job well done.
Chinese dinner in Chiangmai
Doi Inthanon National Park: hiking Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
11°C at 9am
Kew Mae Pan Nature Trail
Doi Inthanon National Park: hiking Pha Dok Siao Nature Trail
Pha Dok Siao trail passing by a big waterfall
Do click here to view 1st posting of this trip.
Do click here to view Part 2 (Wawajo) or Part 1 (Phu Kradueng) of Northern Thailand Hiking and Camping trips.
Posted by KC Leong
