Drenched in Clouds, Rain, and Crowds: A Hike to Doi Luang Tak

Driven by the desire to explore during the rainy season and avoid crowded trails, we embarked on a two-day, one-night trek to Doi Luang Tak. However, our idyllic vision was quickly replaced by a reality of clouds, rain, crowds, and black garbage bags. Join us as we navigate this unexpected adventure.

Doi Luang Tak, Ban Tak District, Tak Province, within the Huai Mae Kha Waterfall National Park, which is currently being surveyed for potential upgrade to a national park, has a peak elevation of 1,175 meters above sea level.

A team of 24 people set off from Bangkok in two vans, joined by four more from Lampang, arriving at Thung Kaseh Subdistrict Municipality. Due to the early arrival, they found various places to sleep, including in their vans, on tarpaulins, or in hammocks, waiting for daybreak. They had arranged to meet with guides and porters around 7 am. All camping equipment, including tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, flysheets, black bags, raincoats, cooking utensils, and food for 24 people, plus extra for the porters and officials, had to be brought along. Their simple food included grilled pork, which they would have to carry up the mountain to grill. It was going to be fun.

Here we are, all 24 of us, bright and cheerful, despite the lack of sleep and the 11-kilometer distance ahead.

We then packed our supplies for distribution to the porters, and we divided the remaining load among ourselves to carry up the mountain. For lunch, we ordered food from a restaurant near the municipal office, specifically requesting boiled eggs and fried eggs for energy. We also brought other snacks for the hike, focusing on sugary options to keep our energy levels up. The food we prepared for everyone included: rice with stir-fried pork and chicken, topped with either a fried or boiled egg, dried bananas, sticky rice with banana filling, chocolate, candy, jelly candies, and a few other snacks. With all this energy-boosting food, we were ready to conquer the mountain!

Before embarking on a hike, it is crucial to engage in a proper warm-up routine. Just as runners prepare their bodies before a race, hikers must also take steps to ensure their bodies are ready for the demands of the trail. This involves increasing body temperature, heart rate, and muscle flexibility, all of which contribute to improved performance and injury prevention. As renowned marathon runner and former national team member Kru Din (Assoc. Prof. Stavarn Junpongsiri) aptly stated, "Warming up is the key to preventing exercise-related injuries and facilitating a smoother workout experience."

We are ready to depart. Please take the van to the starting point of the hike.

A sign is required to mark the starting point. It is called the Doi Luang Tak Nature Study Trail, which is 11 kilometers long. We started walking at around 10:00 AM. What time will we arrive?

Chill out.

The first stop was still vibrant and lively, even though it was raining. Usually, there would be a stream of water here, but this time there was none. The group was diverse, with ages ranging from 18 to 50. Despite their age, everyone was energetic and enthusiastic.

The terrain of the forest is a mix of flat and hilly areas.

Take a break.

Eating sticky rice with banana filling can help boost energy.

Hiking through nature, traversing a narrow ridge. The ascent is mostly steep, with rain falling throughout the journey, alternating between light and heavy showers.

The heavy rain greeted us, but we were well-prepared with our rain gear. Raincoats, waterproof backpacks, and plastic bags proved to be invaluable.

Intermittent showers mixed with strong winds, with open areas devoid of trees offering no shelter. The rain provided a refreshing respite, leaving a cool and pleasant atmosphere.

Note: The provided text is empty. There is nothing to translate.

After a six-hour trek, we arrived at the designated campsite. However, it was hardly a flat clearing. The ground was covered in overgrown grass and uneven terrain, with occasional bumps and dips. We searched for the flattest spot possible to pitch our tent, ensuring that the stakes were firmly anchored to withstand the anticipated wind and rain that night.

Cut and modify the clothesline ^^

And then tonight it rained heavily. We had a delicious barbecue dinner in the pouring rain, gossiping and repairing the tent that was about to collapse due to the strong wind. It was a lot of fun, but the water was still seeping under some of the tents. We had to put on sleeping bags, then black bags, and then sleep in raincoats. Imagine that! At that time, we couldn't even take out our cameras to take pictures. Haha! We slept on and off from exhaustion.

... The scene then cuts to the morning, where they divide up the tasks of making breakfast. They look tired, but still manage to smile. :)

The morning is bright and the rain has not yet fallen.

Hike a little further from the campsite, following the ridge to a viewpoint. What you'll see is anyone's guess, as the fog is blindingly white.

Hope is on the horizon. There, the mountain peak.

We have arrived at the mountain, as indicated by the sign. Haha!

However, before that, the sign fell down. We had to send a repair team to fix the sign, take a picture with it, and follow the regulations. Otherwise, people would say that we didn't arrive. ^_^

Continue walking to find the view in your imagination. Be warned, the wind is very strong, so walk carefully and look out for each other.

We have arrived! It's so white! We took photos as if we had conquered Doi Luang Tak, even though we couldn't see the view like others. Haha!

Keen Gang

Most of the photos from this trip were taken with a GoPro, which is why they are so wet.

Conquering Doi Luang Tak: A White-Knuckled Adventure

It's time to go down and collect the items.

Let's work together to keep our environment clean. Even if we take some photos, please dispose of your trash properly in black bags and take it with you. If you love nature, you must also protect it.

On the way back, it started to rain intermittently.

A scenic viewpoint is located approximately 500 meters downhill from the accommodation.

Choose your preferred angle.

Handsome alone, solo.

Enjoying myself.

Beautiful couple

Don't miss the jumping legs.

Free

Oh, you're leaving already?

A beaming smile, but the thought of the steep descent sends shivers down my spine.

Go back.

We must stick together as a group because we might get confused and lost at some points. We almost got lost ourselves, but luckily we remembered the way back.

The descent will be faster than the ascent, taking a little over 4 hours. If life's descent could pass by this quickly, wouldn't that be nice? ^_^

*** Contact Information

Mr. V, Head of Huai Mae Kha Waterfall Forest Park, 0848178549

Mr. Kitti, Park Ranger, 0848225812

The porters and officials were paid 500 baht per day, but we also gave them additional compensation.

The End of the Trip: Fun, Laughter, Fullness, Wetness, Fatigue, Itchiness (Bring anti-itch cream for the occasional leech), and Rain-soaked Merriment.

There may have been some whining and requests to go home, but it was another taste of life… Another memorable hiking experience, as fun as ever, with the added bonus of laughter and great friendships made along the way.

"When it rains, the mud flows, and people meet." For those who love hiking, this is a must-try. It's a way to support the local villagers, porters, and park rangers.

"If it's not challenging, we wouldn't come." - Doi Luang Tak.

---

Join the conversation on our Fanpage เที่ยวแล้วยัง กับ มิตรภาพ : www.facebook.com/welikejourney

Follow other reviews at https://th.readme.me/id/lingple

#welikejourney #เที่ยวแล้วยัง #เที่ยวแล้วyoung

#WeLikeJourney #TravelAndStill #TravelAndYoung

Email: [email protected]

IG: lingple