We had an even number of 20 who came together for this hike and overnight. We met at the train station at 9am as planned and made good time, arriving at the park headquarters shortly before 11am for a leisurely lunch.
The weather was lovely, cool and a bit overcast as we walked up to the cabins at Y. 3, stopping often to regroup and take pictures.
It was sometime after 2 when we arrived.
After sorting out the bags that the carriers took up for us and choosing our beds in the 2 “dormitory” cabins, most got busy cutting up meat and vegetables for the evening meal, while a group of 10 went up to tip top, and found it enveloped in a low cloud. Very atmospheric!
Many had contributed the fixings for the evening meal and worked together to prepare it. Thank you to our “own cooks” who made a gourmet dinner for all of us, and to all who came with unexpected cards and gifts! We even had wine with the meal and chocolate balls made on the spot for desert. The “forest dogs” hung around as usual hoping for handouts, and were not disappointed. They always look a bit better fed when we leave.
After cleaning up we sat around the campfire. By then the temperature had dropped and some wrapped themselves in blankets. The fire kept us mesmerized and we kept adding wood to it until long after the lights went out at 10, reluctant to leave it, or each other. There was a lot of joking, especially about who had not showered and didn’t plan to.
During the night the wind blew, sounding like rain, and the temperature dropped some more. Morning came, and we straggled out between 7 – 9am. Breakfast was a combination of what each provided for himself and some impromptu dishes made from the unused fixings from dinner. Some even started the campfire again after the dogs left their bed in the ashes. We were reluctant to leave. Perhaps there will be another weekend on Khun Tan in March. Thanks to all who made it a wonderful and memorable overnight!!
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