Readme before you journey
Many people dream of experiencing the beauty of nature, and I can confidently say that this place fulfills almost every aspect of that dream. However, it's important to note that it may not be perfect for everyone. In this article, I will share my experiences and provide essential information for those planning to hike Doi Luang Chiang Dao. This is my third time attempting to conquer this mountain (and no, I'm not a porter!). The stunning scenery has drawn me back time and time again. My first attempt was last year, but the weather was so foggy that I couldn't see anything. It was a two-day, one-night trip that left me feeling frustrated and unlucky. Determined to overcome this setback, I returned in December of the same year. The first day was equally disappointing, with poor visibility. However, as night fell, the stars emerged, and the following morning, the sky cleared, revealing a breathtaking sea of clouds. This is my third attempt, taking place in January of this year. Let's see what awaits me this time.
1. Travel
The most convenient way to travel is by renting a van, as it offers direct transportation to the destination without any transfers. Additionally, vans often provide entertainment options such as movies, making the journey more enjoyable. However, the travel time from Bangkok to Chiang Mai Wildlife Sanctuary by van is approximately 11 hours.
Here are some basic specifications for choosing a van:
- The van should be able to comfortably seat 10 people, including the driver.
- It should have at least 3 charging points for 220V/12V batteries so that everyone can charge their phones.
- It should have a TV, DVD player, and/or USB ports for entertainment.
- The air conditioning should be an add-on (not the original air conditioning that comes with the van), as it will definitely be cold. You should also bring a sleeping bag.
- The seats should not be too hard, otherwise it will be very painful and tiring.
**Buses** take approximately 11 hours, as they make stops in various provinces. Upon arrival, you will need to hire a red car, which can be time-consuming as they do not drive quickly. Enjoy the leisurely ride with the cool breeze on your face.
Take the earliest flight to arrive at Chiang Mai Airport in the morning. Then, hire a red car to take you to and from Doi Luang Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary.
2. Clothing and medicine
For the winter season, it is highly recommended to bring a full set of warm clothes, as the temperature at the summit can be extremely low, especially at night. It can get so cold that you might not be able to sleep. Trust me on this one! Haha. If you have a windbreaker, it would be even better, as the wind at the peak can be very strong. After sunset, the wind can become almost twice as cold, and I'm not exaggerating. It is also crucial to bring medication. If you think you are not in good physical shape, please prepare the following:
- Muscle relaxants
- Counterpain
- Painkillers
To improve your life, prepare only these things. But most importantly, for this kind of hiking, a flashlight is essential. Without a flashlight, you will definitely be in trouble.
3. Food and Eating
Food is essential for our troops. As the saying goes, "An army marches on its stomach." Whether it's pork, mushrooms, duck, or chicken, we need to prepare everything, from heating, cooking, stewing, boiling, and steaming to plates, spoons, chopsticks, glasses, and forks.
There are no shops on the mountain, so please purchase everything you need at the bottom before you start your climb. The porters charge 50 baht per kilogram to carry your luggage, both uphill and downhill. There is no option to have them carry your luggage uphill only or downhill only.
Ensure you bring sufficient water for your group, as it is paramount. The park authorities will record the number of cans and plastic bottles you bring in, and you must bring them back down when you leave. They will check the quantity upon your descent. Importantly, after dinner, don't miss out on the "ดาวลอย," the most potent drink, especially after two, three, or four cups.
If you visit Doi Luang Chiang Dao and don't try the "floating stars" dish, it's like you never came. Just a small portion to warm you up, though, so others can enjoy it too. If you're craving beer, be prepared to carry it up yourself.
4. Excretion
Forget about the ordinary toilets you use in everyday life. If you really need to go to the bathroom, I recommend going into the forest. It's definitely better than the toilets they have there, in terms of atmosphere, smell, and sound.
5. 4x4 Train
In addition to enjoying hiking, another equally enjoyable activity is taking a 4WD pickup truck to the starting point at Den Ya Khat. I have done this three times, and each time the drive has been exhilarating.
For car journeys, it's best to sit in the front seat if possible. If there are seats available in the back, it's also a good option. However, if there are no seats available and you have to stand, it's important to avoid getting cramps in your legs. This can drain your energy before you even start your journey.
The descent is just as thrilling as the ascent, but you can sit anywhere you like. This is because the road back from Pang Wa is paved, even though there are still some interesting sights to see along the way.
Remember to order rice and water for the day you pick us up at Pang Wa. This is very important. Order whatever you want to eat.
6. Maekaning
The sentence states that contrary to popular belief, rime ice can be found not only on Doi Inthanon but also on Doi Luang Chiang Dao. The cold weather on Doi Luang Chiang Dao is so severe that it leads to the formation of rime ice.
The temperature dropped so low that the dew on the tent froze. Even more remarkably,
The ice was this big? It happened because we collected the blue sheet while the dew was still inside. When the sun came out, we were going to dry it, but when we spread it out, we were like, "Where did this ice come from?" Everyone was so excited, even the porter was excited. Haha.
7. Sunset Viewpoint
To witness the breathtaking sunset, we embarked on a 30-minute hike to the summit of Doi Luang Chiang Dao. The ascent was quite steep, making the 30 minutes feel much longer.
As you continue walking, you will eventually reach the sunset viewpoint. From here, you can see the peak of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, the southern wind gap (from where you can also see the peak of Doi Luang Chiang Dao, which we did not visit), and the northern wind gap. The best angle for photos depends on your preference, as there are many spots to choose from.
The effort of climbing up since morning until evening is worth it.
8. Sunrise Viewpoint
No text to translate.
The sun rises and sets, and this is the junction between the north and south wind gaps. There are three places to watch the sunrise, as usual:
1. North Wind Gap
Turn left at the junction, turn right to go to the South Wind Gap.
This is the view from the north wind gap at sunrise. We can also see people standing on the south wind gap. We can shout and talk to each other comfortably, haha. But it's better not to do it, right?
Be sure to bring a windbreaker when visiting Kiew Lom Nai, as the area is exposed and offers no protection from the wind. Expect strong gusts and frigid temperatures.
The sunlight came, the fluffy white mist gradually drifted away.
The sun began to scorch the landscape, cutting short our view of the area.
2. South Wind Pass
This is the view from South Wind Pass.
"The view from the southern wind gap is amazing, it's all white! Haha. The southern wind gap has more space to stand and sit than the northern wind gap, and there are also corners to avoid the wind, which makes our bodies much warmer. We've come here 3 times, so we're definitely going to get some beautiful pictures."
For those who are staying for 3 days and 2 nights, you can also walk around the top of the Kiew Lom Tai before heading down. This is the view from the top of Kiew Lom Tai.
3. Doi Luang Chiang Dao Summit (Offering breathtaking views of both Giw Lom North and South during sunrise)
While we didn't personally climb to the summit, we witnessed individuals ascending to catch the sunset. Determining which location boasts the most spectacular view is a matter of personal preference. However, I would recommend Giw Lom North, despite its limited standing space, for its superior scenic beauty.
9. Stars in the sky
** **
Please note that this is not a floating star like in point 3, but a real star. We recommend that after watching the sunset at Doi Luang Chiang Dao, you should also watch the stars on the mountaintop.
Due to the excessive light pollution below, visibility is significantly reduced compared to the higher vantage point. However, if you are concerned about hunger, feel free to bring food and enjoy it above. Regardless of our destination, capturing the Milky Way is a top priority.
However, it is much larger than the Milky Way. Let's take a look at this picture to see how the shadow behind it was formed.
The photo was taken during a camera test, which is why it is blurry. The close-up of the subject and the lack of fog suggest that a flashlight was used, but the reason for the close-up remains unclear.
10. Downhill Exercise
Our eagerness to descend quickly stems not from anything else, but from our longing for the cold rice and fizzy drinks that the 4WD driver has prepared for us, along with the ice cream bars sold at the destination.
This further fueled our desire to reach the destination quickly. This was our time with a backpack weighing over 10 kilograms, accompanied by a wound on the knee. Haha.
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7NOVEMBER
Friday, October 4, 2024 3:10 PM
