2019/11/17_Report_Ban Doi Pui to Buddha Footprint and back

With everyone catered for, no songthaews were needed for the journey to Ban Doi Pui from the Arboretum. Apart from one late arrival, 21 hikers, comprising 10 separate nationalities, assembled in the main village car park by 8:50am. A group photo in beautiful sunshine before setting off through the maze of small lanes leading to the village gardens and on into the peace and quiet of the lush forest. Our trail rose gently uphill on average, crossing occasional seeps and rivulets, but for the most part the path was dry and clear of vegetation under the shading forest canopy. The temperature was refreshingly cool, especially after the heat of Chiang Mai.

After several kilometers we reached a col with fine views of the steep slopes of Doi Pui … a suitable point to stop and allow the group to consolidate. Our route steered us left at the col junction and away from Doi Pui. Heading west and more noticeably uphill, there were signs of damage to the forest; several trees had been blown down in strong winds at some point during the year, one blocking our path. Safely around the obstacle, we came to a second junction again with super views, but this time of mountain ranges to the west. Turning right at this point led steeply uphill to a rocky outcrop, and the highest point of our hike. Here was stopped to snack, drink and chat, whilst taking in the spectacular views in front of us. Haze was much reduced than of late, although it was still difficult to make out the most distant skylines.

Decisions were within the party to take different routes back. One group of four electing to extend the hike by a number of kilometers, another deciding to turn round and head back directly the way we had come, and a third group, the majority, continuing along the ridge for about one kilometer before doubling back at a lower elevation. Just a hundred metres from the brunch stop, lay the Buddha’s footprint feature atop our ridge, beyond which stood a robust metal platform enabling one to stand above the ridge slopes with stunning views to the west and to the south.

The third group exited the ridge and contoured southwards along its western slopes through extremely dense grass and later, bracken. The path was barely discernible to walk along, but all made it through and back to the second junction of the hike.

All groups returned to Ban Doi Pui safely. Once there all dined at the ‘Original’ Kao Soi restaurant, with its views across the forest from its south-facing windows. All agreed that this was an ideal sociable Sunday outing. Doubtless the ChiangMaiHiking endeavour will revisit Ban Doi Pui many times again in the future.

Hike leadership and reporting by Peter D.