DOI PHA HOM POK, CHIANG MAI 2006 Part 4

I use a lot of effort and time to write this chapter. There will be no picture in this part. Actually, we had no picture when we climbed up but many when we climbed down. So, I'll put loads of pictures in the next part.

THIS STORY IS CONTINUED FROM PART 3 - THE INDEX OF THIS SERIES IS HERE

**CLIMBING IN THE DARK - THE ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE**

We went to bed almost after the dinner. I slept alone. It was a horrible night. The sleeping bag I brought didn't help me much from the extremely cold weather, especially my legs. They were trembling badly. Not only cold wind and mist, the rain was also pouring lightly that night. I woke up almost every hour, counting down the hour until the arranged time, 3 a.m. We were going to climb up to the mountain top to see the first light of the morning there.

I woke myself up at half past two. Half of the reason was that I just couldn't sleep anymore. I didn't felt refresh but not too tired. I woke the rest of the company up in order to prepare for the hard trip. Our guide in this trip was the veteran National Park Official, who came just before three, gathering all of us to the preparing area located near the camping site.

RECOMMENDATION: Climbing in the dark to the mountain top in the dark at Doi Pha Hom Pok is one of the real advanture. The length is about 3.5 kilometres but uphillward. It will takes about 3 hours to climb up. So, it is plainly to advice that you should keep yourself fit before thaking a trip here. You need a flashlight or two per one group in order to show you the way. The mountain top is very cold but you won't feel it while you are climbing. Some water and snacks are recommended to bring with you. It will be real diaster if you forget to bring some water with you. A shoe for climbing the mountain is also recommended but normal sneaker is also fine.

'We are the last group, hurry up a bit, or we won't be able to see the sunrise' The guide said in nice northern accent. 'Watch out for slippery stone and sand' He then led the way into the forest.

There was a narrow path in the forest. It seems like this is the certain part for everyone to climb up. The first part of the path is quite easy, only a little bit sheer. It's good for warming up. But the happiness won't last long, after first 300 metres, we arrived at the foothill that is the hardest hill we have to climb in order to reach the mountain top of Doi Pha Hom Pok. It is named "Mon Wat Jai" or the Hill for "testing of willingness". The slope was very steep but the worst was we couldn't see where this slope will end. The darkness bit into my heart.

'Err...everyone' Kiead spoke out of the darkness. Her face looked very tired in the darkness. 'May I turn back?'

'What's happen Kiead' Ple looked back, she was at the head of the company. 'Did you forgot something?'

'Err... I'm... very tired...' She tried to speak nicely but I could feel her tireness 'I'll go back to the tent and wait for your return... Mr. Guide, how far from here to our tent?'

'Around 300 metres' he answered.

'It's very dark, Kiead. How can you go back alone?' Far replied quickly, she looked worried. 'Do you think you need some rest or something?'

'I don't think I'll make it.' She answered 'Don't you hear that this is only 300 metres? I don't think I could reach the top, so I'd better go back to the tent...or...or wait for all of you here.'

'It shouldn't be. May be we should have more rest and then we can altogether go to the top' Far said.

'But... I know that I can't do it...'

The company silenced for a while. We all didn't want Kiead to be left somewhere in the dark and wet forest nor return through the forest to the camp all alone. I coun't do anything but offer her my hand.

'Come with me, Kiead... It's better that you'll come with us, I'll pull you along the way.'

She reluctantly grasped my hand and followed me slowly. I did keep myself fit enough for climbing the mountain but not so fit that I could drag another person wiht me. It was too hard than my vitality could endure, but my will power as well. My will that everyone should be there together.

The company went in files; Ple was at the head, followed by Jeab and Jane, then Far, who was usually looked back at me, helped me when I needed, and the last of all, myself and Kiead. In my opinion, the old Kiead I knew when we were at the university could beat this mountain easily. But after she gained some weight and lack of excercise, she really need some help to share her weight and that's what I was doing.

Even I pulled her hand at almost in all climb, Kiead often asked for a short rest. But to be honest, I was glad that she did. My stamina depleted very quickly and the air was a bit light. She was doing better when we reached the top of "Mon Wat Jai" and the path went flatter and those were my precious time to rest. She walked fast and could be at the same level with everyone.

'Are you okay, A?' Far whispered 'You shouldn't over do it.'

'What else can I do?' I replied 'I want everyone to be at the top and I'll do my best. We passed the steepest slope and I think we could make it.'

'Then rest a lot, especially when you don't have to pull her. Don't need to catch up with the group. Go on with comfortable speed.'

'Yeah, I'll.'

The levelled path started to climb up again after a while and my help to Kiead started again. No one asked for the name of this hill, everyone seemed to be tired. Jane fell back often to where I and Kiead was. He seemed to used a lot of stamina in the first lap. Ple was still at the head of the group, just after our guide. We started to stop more often and rest longer and longer but our kind guard always reminded us that we needed to get to the top before the sunrise...but....'how much time do we still need to get there' I thought while huffing.

The path went level and then steep again and again. I was struggled to went on and I was starting to have got cramp in my legs, as well as the others. Jane was also suffered much from this but his will power was very strong, he could went on again after a short rest.

'Rest here a bit' Our guide recommended. 'You just need to climb this last lap to the top of "Doi Pha Hom Pok". It's only 3-400 metres left.' He pointed his flashlight to a dark path that went steadily upwards.

It was still dark and very cold. But the cold couldn't trouble the group, a lot of climbing was enough to heat up. I looked at the other faces in the dark. Ple was the one who wass the most "OKAY"; seems like this climbing was nothing for her. The rest were tired, as tired as I could ever see. But there were glimpses of hope in all our eyes, even in Kiead's.

"ONLY ONE LAST LAP!!!"

The company started to climb up more cheerfully than before. I also felt that way. It seemed like my limbs and legs are refreshed and filled again with another load of stamina. Kiead, who in the last lap almost had to be dragged up, could climbed up with only a little aid from me.

At the half of the slope, we went through the thick forest to the windy plain. It was the first time that we could recognised the sky above our head. The sky was lightly pale. It was the sign of the coming day and the coming sunrise we've climbed for. My heart was filled with joy as soon as I could see the summit but the cramp in my legs was starting to overcome me, the result from rushing myself and Kiead up the last slope. Kiead's stamina ran out too. The latest slope was straight and the path were filled with boulders. After the last resting, I waved my hand to Far to let her go in forward.

'Com'on, Kiead! We're the last but we will reach the TOP!! I'll use the rest of my stamina here' I said, but didn't allow her to object 'Running to the summit is my style, WATCH OUT!!'

THIS STORY CONTINUES IN THE NEXT PART