2018/06/17_Hike Report_Doi Lang Loop

Dung beetle displays the ball it has rolled up. Photo by Jenny

In spite of the ominous weather forecast five hardy walkers (and one hike leader) turned up for this mountain hike. The signs did not look good as a light drizzle of rain accompanied us on the journey out to the reservoir. As it turned out, however, this was the only rain of the day, with the cooler weather providing ideal hiking conditions. With a small group we made good progress and reached the summit in just under two hours (the rope assisted assent near the summit providing a number of excitable observations). Surprisingly the overcast weather still allowed for good views from the summit (912 metres) but unfortunately no soaring birdlife in evidence (last time two hawks circled a peak below us).

On the descent one hiker had a minor fall as he collided with an unseen rock and the hike leader (not paying attention) walked into an overhanging bee nest and was stung several times for his troubles. We completed the hike in four hours and forty minutes and then stopped at a small shop/restaurant on the way back for well-earned refreshment.

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18/06/03_Report_Nam Mae Kwong transposed to Goldilocks

Photo by Jenny

This was the hike that was not. When our group of seventeen hikers arrived at the start point at Nam Mae Kwong we were informed by the woman on the gate that the private owner of the old national park estate, through which we had to travel to begin our hike, had closed the estate and surrounding area for the day as he, and presumably assorted friends, were having a pig hunt. Luckily Peter had the GPS record for the nearby Goldilocks ridge, which became our alternative hike as we marched up, along and back down the ridge in just over four hours, covering a distance of 9kms. Highlight of the hike was the presence of a Golden Tree snake (aka flying snake) on the hiking trial. As these are normally arboreal it was unusual to see it on the forest floor. However, said snake had just caught a lizard and was in the process of enjoying a lizard brunch. However, perturbed by the farang paparazzi, he moved off to a quieter location before he had fully digested his meal. After the hike we stopped at the “Treehouse” restaurant for food and refreshment on the way back to Chiang Mai.

Hike initiation and report by Stephen

 

18/05/27_Hike report_Porcupine Falls Loop

 

Red line is route taken by the faster group. The slower group cut across in the middle.

A few dryer days following heavy midweek rains had allowed the Doi Suthep forest paths to become fairly firm, but the air remained humid. 18 people (and Tippy, a handsome small dog) assembled at the “Scout Camp” access point. We separated into two groups at an early stage.

The slower group (nine humans and Tippy) did 8.5km in about 3 hrs 30 mins. Emotional highlight was when Tippy excitedly started playing on the Porcupine Falls crossing, from where dogs have slidden down to difficult spots in the past. Note: the fabled Porcupine Falls were so named by MikeHike after encountering two porcupines there about ten years ago. Anyone else ever seen porcupines on the mountain?

The faster group did 11.3kms in about 4hrs 10 mins. In this group, thanks go to Mr L who bought litchees from the farmers in the high orchards and treated the group. Tasty. Kudos also to Jenny for this stunning photo, taken along the way: “iridescent, entomological ecstasy”.

 

Photo by Jenny

 

Most members of both groups enjoyed post-hike refreshments at Nong Flook 2, where the food service was amongst the quickest we have ever received, but Tippy was neither admitted nor given a convenient place to wait outside.

Hike leaders: MikeHike and PeterHike

 

 

18/05/20_Trip Report_Doi Inthanon Ridge

The first Fatal Flaw in our meticulous planning was to have 2 meeting points. Of course, all the car drivers went to one meeting point and all non-car drivers looking for a lift went to the other meeting point!!!

After a couple of frantic phone calls, everybody ended up at the same departure point and 8 hikers set off in two cars for the start point, arriving at the trailhead around 09:00 where another lost soul had arrived by motor bike and was waiting very patiently.

 

Everybody was fit and eager and it was great to catch up with a couple of faces from the past.

A few clouds appeared on the horizon but did not spoil the views. Also, they did keep the sun at bay which made the temperature very comfortable for walking. Look at the vista in the photo below, towards the East!

Having reached the top of the ridge and our final destination, the Stupa, the views were rather contrasting with the view to the East as above and the view to the West as below.

This is better illustrated by the photo below of one hiker having lunch, turning his back to the East and enjoying the views to the West!!!

 

One intrepid explorer returning to the fold, not content with seeing the Stupa from the top of the ridge decided that the views would be better from underneath the drop off. (That is a lot steeper than it looks in the photograph.)

The length of hike from the starting point to the ridge top was around 5.5 km and was done in 2.5 hours but then having switched off the GPS for our lunch stop, forgot to switch the unit back on, but estimate the length of the hike to be around 11 km. The starting time was just a few minutes past 09:00 and we got back to the cars at 14:00.

Well-deserved refreshments were enjoyed at the new Zip wire establishment adjacent to Wat Wimut Tikaram where there are a number of shops selling the usual refreshments, very gooood coffee and excellent ablutions facilities.

Hike initiation and reporting by J&J

 

18/05/13_Report_Termite ridge then left

This was quite a tough workout, and only five of us showed up for it.

The overnight rain and forecast of more might have deterred some. But in the event the hike was rainless. Instead the heat drained water and energy from us over the six-and-a-half hours. But there were compensating delights.

Mushroom-hunting delight

 

The simple things are sometimes the most beautiful

 

The final stretch

Distance covered was about 15km in 6h20m, with 800m of ascent and 900m of descent.

Refreshments (oh, that first sip of icy beer!) in the restaurant with the treehouse in it, near the police checkpoint on Road 118.

Many thanks to hike researchers/leaders: MikeHike and PGB

 

18/04/29_Hike Report_HTT-Mae Nai Loop

Group photo by Janet

Twenty four adults, two young boys and three dogs turned up for this Huay Tung Tao hike. After an uneventful beginning one co hike leader was confused by a fallen tree over the path and took the wrong turn, but this was quickly corrected.  As we approached the “Temple of golden swans” there was a minor drama when a local dog took umbridge at the presence of one of our hiking canines and attacked it, but was chased away with little harm done.

 

Photo by Bob

 

Hikers approach the river. Photo by Janet

The buffalo corral (minus the buffalo) provided a welcome rest point for our young hikers and some other hikers who appeared to have underestimated the length of the hike. The main viewing point was reached in just over 2.5 hours and provided a welcome smog free vista of the surrounding countryside. Shortly after, the same co hike leader took a wrong turn but this was fortunately corrected by the second co hike leader and we reached the lunch stop in the valley just after three hours. During the gradual climb out of the valley we passed through a Lychee orchard which proved an irresistible temptation for our youngest hikers.

Photo by Bob

 

Photo by Bob

With some of this fruit not quite ripe, inevitably one of the young boys was stricken with a sore stomach (and perhaps acute boredom). However, one hiker gallantly pushed on to the end of the hike and drove back in his truck to pick up the boy and other assorted hikers. With the sun taking its toll the group was very spread out at the end but most hikers completely the 17.4Kms hike in just over six hours. Afterwards most of the hikers retired to a lakeside restaurant for much welcomed drinks and food.

Hike leadership by Stephen and Richard. Report by Stephen.

Bonus photos:

Studded Sergeant. Photo by Richard

Perak Lascar. Photo by Richard

Mating whip scorpions. Photo by Janet

 

Photo by Bob

Photo by Bob

Photo by Bob

Photo by Bob

Photo by Bob

 

Photo by Bob

 

Photo by Janet

 

10/04/22_Report_Loop hike east of Baan Khun Chang Khian

 

Perhaps the day seemed too hot for the expected big group of hikers, as at 7:15 only 6 of us waited at the meeting point, All but one were familiar faces, and it was nice to have one newby! We left promptly at 7:30, drove up in 2 cars, and set out from Baan Khun Chang Khian shortly after 8:30. The air was a bit cooler up there, but my belief that there is always a breeze up there was shattered. The route we took was just as described in the posting: down and down and then up and up, taking the longer route up which is more gradual. We were in no hurry, and the leader had to stop often, but briefly, to relieve back pain, so we were surprised to arrive back at the village in a bit less than 3 hours. So much for estimates! But our estimate of 400 meters in elevation gain was spot on!

To our disappointment, the coffee shop which was to supply our noon meal was closed; however we enjoyed a liesurely coffee and other liquid refreshments at another village coffee shop where we met up with the other hiking group of only 2 people. That is where this beautiful rooster was perched.

 

We then drove back down to the palace for lunch, finding a spacious restaurant in which we were the first customers…and the last, as it filled up and then emptied while we ate and chatted, listening to a hiker’s talk on geology, and suddenly realized the lights were out and the other customers had all left.

Nice day, nice people, nice hike.

Stats: Time: 2 hr. 50 min, Distance: 8.46 km.. Elevation gain 432 meters.

Report and hike leadership by Janet. Photos by Janet and Bob.