The scent of earth, the mist, and the wild Himalayan honeysuckle at Phu Soi Dao.

Phu Soi Dao, a notoriously challenging hiking trail for novices, is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Despite our lack of experience with hiking and physical activity, we embarked on this adventure with a group of 11 individuals. Traveling from Bangkok by van, our journey to the trailhead took approximately 5-6 hours. We adopted a leisurely pace, prioritizing rest whenever fatigue set in.

As dawn approached, we arrived in Uttaradit Province. Before heading to Phu Soi Dao National Park, we stopped at the Pa Daeng Municipal Fresh Market to stock up on food supplies. This was crucial, as there are no shops along the hiking trail or on the summit of Phu Soi Dao.

Upon arrival at Phu Soi Dao National Park, we dispersed to attend to personal matters, prepare items for the porters, and contact the park officials to rent tents.

The rental fees for tents and bedding are relatively high, as they include not only the rental cost but also the porterage fee. Bringing your own tent is a more economical option, as it can significantly reduce your expenses.

Initially, we planned to rent everything, but when we saw the prices, we decided to only rent the essentials. These included tents, sleeping mats, and sleeping bags, as the weather can be cold at higher altitudes and the ground can be wet and muddy during the rainy season.

After completing all arrangements, we headed towards the Phusoidao ascent route via the park's shuttle service. The ascent to Phusoidao covers a distance of 6.5 kilometers, taking approximately 4-6 hours to complete, and reaches an altitude of 2,102 meters above sea level.

Upon reaching the entrance, we were greeted by the sight of Phusoidao Waterfall. The cascading water was so inviting that we almost abandoned our mission to climb the mountain. We couldn't resist taking a few photos before embarking on our arduous journey.

Initially, the group enjoyed themselves, taking pictures as they went. However, after a while, they had to put their cameras away and focus on walking. They had to cross five hills: the Farewell Hill, the Expert Hill, the Forest Hill, the Tiger Hill, and the final and most challenging, the Death Hill.

Don't even think about Death Hill yet, the first hill almost killed me. At that time, I thought to myself, why did I put myself through this? There are so many beautiful and comfortable places to visit. But there was no turning back, I had to keep going!

We continued walking until we reached the "Death Hill" sign. At that point, we were alone and thought, "Well, this is the final stretch! Only 1.5 kilometers left. We've already walked 5 kilometers. Let's see how tough it really is." (Challenge accepted! 555) But within 100 meters, we had to stop and rest. We wanted to scream, "What kind of path is this?!"

The climb was incredibly steep, almost vertical at times. It was a grueling ascent, but the higher we climbed, the more breathtaking the view became. The panoramic vista from the summit was worth every drop of sweat and every aching muscle.

There is no doubt why I have a picture of myself walking alone. I simply asked someone nearby to take it for me. It was such a beautiful scene that I had to capture it.

After enjoying the atmosphere here, we continued for a little while longer. Just a little bit more, hang in there!

We have arrived at the pine forest! I want to scream, not because we have reached the pine forest, but because we have to walk another 500 meters to get to the camping ground. At that time, I was very tired and wanted to sleep.

Looking tired 555 My friend just arrived, so I asked them to take a picture for me before I ran away to sleep.

Upon reaching the designated camping area, we retrieved our camping equipment from the designated official before joining our friends who had already arrived at their tent.

Upon arrival at the designated meeting point, some individuals engaged in recreational photography while others opted to rest. Due to fatigue, I sought a brief nap. However, prior to slumber, I experienced a mild disappointment upon discovering the tent's uncleanliness. Rainwater had caused dampness and mud accumulation, both within and outside the tent. Despite the conditions, I proceeded to sleep.

I originally planned to take a short nap and then wake up to help my friend prepare food, but I ended up sleeping like the dead. My friend had to wake me up to eat dinner. Our dinner was shabu-shabu, which we had prepared ourselves.

The atmosphere was incredibly positive. People who had never met before quickly became close, joking and teasing each other as if they had known each other for years. We ate, talked, and then went to sleep, with the final words being "See you at 5:30 to watch the sunrise."

The night was restless due to the heavy rain and strong winds, causing me to wake up intermittently. I thought to myself that with such heavy rain, we would likely meet at 7 am.

It was 5:30 AM when I woke up and checked my group chat, but no one had responded. I went back to sleep because it was still raining. When I woke up again, it was already daylight and my friend had woken me up.

The rain had stopped by then. We poked our heads out of the tent and were greeted by cool air and thick fog. Honestly, we thought the fog at Phu Soi Dao was more beautiful than the sunshine. It was a view that looked stunning in photos.

After shaking off our grogginess, my friend and I went out to take photos, as we both enjoy photography.

The most popular attraction on Phu Soi Dao is undoubtedly the Edelweiss flower, which is currently in bloom.

Would you believe that someone who doesn't particularly enjoy hiking like me would end up loving this experience? Even though it was tiring, it was worth it to see the beautiful views, hang out with friends, meet new people, and most importantly, take home a ton of amazing photos.

For those planning a trip to Phu Soi Dao, the rainy season is the perfect time to go. You'll experience cool weather, thick fog, and the beautiful blooming of the Hong Kong orchid tree. Most importantly, prepare your body, clothes, shoes, flashlight, medication, and insect repellent.

Remember to rent a water tank, as there is no electricity here. When you need to use the bathroom, you will need to fetch water from the stream.

Another important thing is to cut your toenails. We forgot to cut them before hiking up and down the steep slopes, and it hurt so much that it ruined our mood. If you have the chance, don't forget to drag yourself and your friends along for the adventure. The hardship will truly bring you closer together.

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