Jungle Run,Dams,Tiger Road Ls 36

[Midnitemapper]

Plain of Jars grassy hills great riding

Russian tank at Phou Koud




Nice bungalows but a little far out of town

Great riding along graded roads

Destroyed Wat a reminder of past conflicts



Another bombed out wat along the road

Quick stop at village along the way

View of the Nam Khan river

Looks like we will be getting wet, no boat here



Nicely cut new roads

end of the line, for the new road

Now the fun begins and soon it will be dark

Nam Khan scene

I carry on while the track is good

End of the day at this shop were I can get some food and hang the hammok in an unfinished house in the village.

Green monster bug, is the entertainment for the evening along with Karaoke!

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[Midnitemapper]

Overnight spot,


Nice bamboo bridge I will take the ford, thanks

Rivers are running fast with the rains overnight



Great tracks off of the main road

The bridge tender


I will pay anything just keep my feet dry


The bridge tender also has a forge business however it is a bit wet today for the fire.
Note, the centrifugal fan and artillery shell used for an anvil

Splashing through rivers and mud bogs, I loose a fork boot.

Nice road descending into the Nam Khan river valley, at B Khonngoua.

Some good sections of road and some sunlight

Wildlife Conservation Sign,muntjack deer, are those bullet holes?

Turning up the mountain towards Ban Nakang

This road starts at elevation 690 mtrs and ends at 1333 mtrs at Ban Nakang,
some sections are bit steep, quite sippery when the road has a glaze of mud!
Mine, were the only tracks on the road that day.



Small log bridge on the way

Finally the top,
the welcoming committee, fresh from a mud bath!

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[mikehohman]

Great set of pix Don, and that is some big bug. Damn!

Mike

 

[Midnitemapper]

Main street



Ban NaKout great use of war scrap, with an artistic touch




The traditional life


War scap used everywere including the wat

Tradition weaving taking place in the village





Spirit house at the Wat

Young villager clutching a cell phone, no cellular signal in this remote location.



Recycled war materials

Bomb under a house





Former Na Khang airbase, (LS36) runway is well preserved



When the forces evacuated this base everthing was destroyed so the enemy could not use it.


Fuel drums used for aviation fuel







Traditional Tai Phuan culture is evident in the hairs styles as seen here



Kids going to school in the rain



Fuel drum tops, Roofing used for woodpile.



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[Midnitemapper]

for more info see the previous post at:

http://rideasia.net/forum/laos-ride-reports/ls-36-ban-nakang-t1597.html
Nearby at Ban Thamla more wartime artifacts




LS 36 area map reprint from article




Elevation profile of the road to the top.



Wat

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[Midnitemapper]

Amazing canyon cut in the road

Great scenery everywhere in Laos


I fortunately did not have to cross this bridge.

One room school house

Viengthong 53 Ks

$3 per night guest house

Dinner with the owner No Charge

The next morning I arrive at the border

The immigration officer takes my photo and says 3 cars a week pass this border post.












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[KTMphil]

Jesus - That looks like an amazing, unspoiled area for exploring, great photo's Don.

 

[Midnitemapper]

mushroom season everyone wants to sell you a bag $4 a kilo.


Remnants of war

Energy fix? lunch, great view

View of Houay Ma

Phou Phati mountain

Close up of the area of Lima 85













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[2wheels]

That'll be another 'WOW' then Don!

This is a prize winner ..

 

[KTMphil]

Can almost taste being there in this one.

 

[Midnitemapper]

Houay Ma villagers, taking a rest, kaw neao



More great tracks


View of the city, Muang Xam Neua

This day they are blessing the "Doi Kao Lak Muang"

Parade down main street


The best cook In Xam Neua

The food


Down the road.....
I LOVE HOUAPHAN,the best off road riding in Laos!

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[Lone Rider]

Wow, great trip in remote areas and beautiful pictures - thanks for posting your trips on the forum and look forward to the next episode.

 

[Midnitemapper]

Thanks Auke, that trip was as much fun as it looks!
By the "next dry" the East-West road to Xam Neua will be drivable by truck and is a must do! great loop!
No issues with the "boys in green" However the road to the Lima 85, mountain Pou Phati is still off limits.

I LOVE HOUAPHAN!

 

[Lone Rider]

Good news about the east-west connection from Xam Neua to Xon Neua - guess Mac will also be happy as he was planning to do it a month ago and in the end decided not to because I told him that I was told that it would be almost impossible by truck.

 

[Midnitemapper]

Xam Neua

 

[bigntall]

Love the pics Don. Great stuff.

 

[Midnitemapper]

Thanks Justin, look forward to seeing you here in Laos again when the mudholes dry out a little!

 

[rhiekel]

Fantastic photos Don.... Damn you are really putting the A into the word adventure....

If you visit Houay Ma and start asking about Lima 85, below is arrow pointing to the building where you will be detained for hours of questioning..... :-)

 

[KTMphil]

Mac's photo's from his latest Na Khang, LS-36 trip


The route





Nice fuel tank

More UXO
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Edibles
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Leftover mortar shells
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Looks like trenches but not sure. West of the airfield, just before the village.
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And more UXO, painted red
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It's an AC!
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Tony & Mac with the spiked 105mm gun
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Road grader
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Looking east at the top of the runway, hill on the left

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[KTMphil]

Here's the gun's carriage



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Old 55 gal drums put to use



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A typical house



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[KTMphil]

Amazing , I'd forgotten all about this one