bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
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176 km total distance.
After a false start due to the piss poor repair on Des’s inner tube, new tube fitted, scouted around for a way onto today’s trail, this bridge was obviously only for foot traffic.
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So found this other slightly better bridge into the hell on earth banana plantation forest.
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Soon climbing up into the mountain and spectacular views.
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I was beginning to think we would be blessed on this day and the trail had been freshly graded after the rain’s.
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We arrived in Photham a very small village and views to die for.
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Des enjoying the view.
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Stopped to chat with the locals, after a few minutes i gave out some sweets and kid’s toys and they loosened up.
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Very nice friendly people will have to make an effort to return some time soon.
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Soon on to our first of two pretty deep crossing’s and the end of the graded surface.
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We watched some locals cross and it was pretty rocky and fast moving.
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I crossed and Des was the marker guy for the deeper spots.
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Dennis across safely after a few saves.
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Des was not happy crossing water you can almost see the fear in his eyes.
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A bit more shoving and pushing and all crossed safely.
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To our surprise the fresh grading continued until we reached Chamai.
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Curious eyes on the strange farangs.
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Once clear of the village that was the end of the luxurious graded surface
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Onto the next water crossing, this was interesting as there was a very steep rocky climb after the water that would be interesting with wet tyres.
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I crossed as the other followed to the waters edge for the assault on the hill.
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Dennis joined me in the water.
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Des preparing himself.
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Easily done.
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As is the case this was steep and rocky and no margin for error.
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Dennis clawing his way up.
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Des lost traction and dumped in the river.
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Managed to get him going again and he scrambled up.
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Once past this the landscape opened up with panoramic views, but devoid of trees.
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Never seen these timber dwellings before and wondered how old they were as the trees had long gone.
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Trail carved into the hillside.
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Came across this hut and presumably good luck symbols.
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All smiles at this point.
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Stopped at the auction for the shortcut, this lady washing her silver jewellery in the distance.
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No name for this village.
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Another isolated village in the distance.
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less traveled here.
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Surprise well constructed bailey bridge in the middle of nowhere.
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Me bogged down in some loose grading.
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Opening up again to great views.
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Army camp with interesting wind turbine.
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More than a good share of ruts in this section.
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Finally made it to the paved sections and decided to push on to Luang Namtha and a restful night at the Toulasith GH that for once was not full N21.00208° E101.40932°
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The new 140k kip room’s.
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