Midnight Mapper Gets A Plug

**BWG950S** · 18 Aug 2012, 20:43

Originally Posted by bigntall

That Xe Bangfai crossing can be a bit of a challenge with some good size rocks to get over in the beginning going from the north to south.

Attachment 8744

Do the rocks look bigger in my KLIM Riding Pants?

Justin and Frank coming ashore after helping through the large rocky section.

**bigntall** · 18 Aug 2012, 22:32

The rocks looked a lot smaller from the comfort of the boat

.

**Midnitemapper** · 19 Aug 2012, 08:31

Aw right boys, No whinging about rocky river fords and wet boots here!

After all you did not have one of these pointed at you...

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From the cargo door of this C 130

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While pushing your fully laden, camouflaged, bicycle "down the trail"!

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**Midnitemapper** · 19 Aug 2012, 08:38

Fuel stop, Ban Lahap, Laos, Ho Chi Minh trial

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**jb2112** · 19 Aug 2012, 08:42

Originally Posted by Midnitemapper

Fuel stop, Ban Lahap, Laos, Ho Chi Minh trial

Watch those cinders!

**BWG950S** · 19 Aug 2012, 09:06

Originally Posted by bigntall

The rocks looked a lot smaller from the comfort of the boat

.

Thought I had a pic of you taking the easy way across but only of the boat and the "wet" spot you left behind.

**bill** · 19 Aug 2012, 11:23

Originally Posted by bigntall

My eyes ain't much good open or closed. Thinking reminds me too much of work so I just went for it with enough speed that if I came off I was hoping I'd crash into the far bank onto terra firma. Once across my stomach ached from the adrenaline buzz. Huge respect for Don that must come across the dodgy shit alone quite often and gets it done.

So the first half of the plank was a launching device for the far bank, and using the second half was a bonus ?

**Midnitemapper** · 19 Aug 2012, 22:26

Bill here is a photo of Ban La Hap
Looking due East here towards Vietnam.

The area of, Target Oscar 8 to the left side of photo.

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**bill** · 20 Aug 2012, 07:18

MM
Thx for survival trail pics.

A really good trip report on that Ban La Hap route was done by Mat.Ward on the other CM forum back in April 2007. The report was titled A 2000km Loop Through Southern Laos

It was his gps track that I followed when I went through in 2009. Still a challenging ride though, even with getting lost taken out of the equation.

**Midnitemapper** · 20 Aug 2012, 08:09

Here's a 500 pounder smack in the middle of the road near Ta Oy

More photos check out Ho Chi Minh trail blog,

Ho Chi Minh trail | Laos GPS Map

http://www.laosgpsmap.com/ho-chi-minh-trail-laos/