Tiny specks of mist
I have a group of friends, and whenever we have the chance, we climb Bang Am – a mountain located on the northern edge of Huu Nien Mountain (Dai Loc). Sometimes we watch the sunset, other times we chase the early morning clouds and welcome the sunrise. Sitting on the summit, it's like letting go of our big egos, becoming just a tiny dot in the mist and clouds.
There are many routes to Bang Am. Sometimes it's the same old path, but the next time we return, it's overgrown with weeds and thorns, blocking the way. Each time we go up the mountain, we have to grope our way and forge different paths.
Sometimes we give up because we can't anticipate the dangers ahead. I remember the day I got lost on a strange path. After clearing a way through the forest and navigating ravines, I discovered I had reached a sheer cliff right below the summit of Bang Am. All I needed to do was climb that precarious cliff to reach my destination, but it was too difficult, so I had to turn back. At that moment, I realized how insignificant human strength is in the face of nature.
We also had a few opportunities to climb the more majestic mountains in the North. Before the Fansipan cable car system came into operation in 2016, our group had to hike for more than a day.
To reach the 3,147m altitude, known as the "roof of Indochina," the journey involves continuous climbs through 2,200m and 2,800m sections, experiencing the constant changes in altitude and scenery. The temperature gradually drops, reaching freezing temperatures of 0°C near the summit.
Each bend in the road, each hillside, offers a different perspective: sometimes dry forest, sometimes coniferous trees, and sometimes unexpectedly encountering terraced rice fields in the valley, stretching far into the distance across the horizon.
Occasionally, I would come across rows of lush green tea plants stretching along a small path, nestled among the hills, seemingly suspended in mid-air. For a moment, I turned to look back and found the view even more beautiful than the one I had seen before. All the hardships of the journey were rewarded with the feeling of witnessing the sunrise on the summit of Fansipan, as the sun rose like a ball of fire from behind a swirling curtain of clouds.
After each climb to the summit, there's a pleasant, immersive, and joyful feeling on the way back, with tired legs but a restless heart. Occasionally, passing through a forest, amidst the wild mountains, a wisp of smoke rises in the evening, bringing a sense of peace, like a woodcutter returning home after a day of chopping wood.
Continuing the journey of conquest
On another occasion, we had the opportunity to climb to the highest peak in the Central Highlands. That was Lang Biang peak, located in Lac Duong district, 12km from Da Lat city.
Lang Biang is also the story of the tragic love between Lang and Biang - the two highest mountains in the range, Mount Ba (2,167m) and Mount Ong (2,124m).
The journey to conquer Mount Ba - Lang Biang is not as arduous as the summit of Fansipan, but it still presents unpredictable challenges. We followed a red dirt road to a cool, pristine forest, occasionally spotting greenhouses built between the hills for growing flowers.
While Fansipan evokes a sense of grandeur, Lang Biang offers a unique and mysterious allure. The entire path from the foot of the mountain to the summit lies beneath a pine forest, offering us no view of the valley below. This, in return for the three-hour hike, means complete isolation from the outside world .
A feeling of exhilaration washes over you upon reaching the 2,167m mark, with breathtaking views of vast flower valleys, the endless rows of greenhouses characteristic of Da Lat, stretching along the picturesque Dakia Golden Stream Lake.
Another, but more pleasant, mountain in the South is Mount Ba Den, the highest peak in Southern Vietnam. Climbing Mount Ba Den only takes about two hours, following the trail from Quan Am Pagoda.
Unlike the mountains in the North, which are usually arranged in mountain ranges, Mount Ba Den stands alone in the vast plains of Southern Vietnam. Without the harsh terrain, steep cliffs, or rough paths clinging to the mountainside, climbing Mount Ba Den offers a relaxing feeling, like taking a leisurely walk and breathing in the fresh air.
We were lucky to ascend on a beautiful day, with gentle sunshine and clouds gathering halfway up the mountain. Reaching the summit meant we emerged from the clouds, standing on the peak like a celestial paradise. At an altitude of 986m, our eyes could take in the vast fields along the Vam Co Dong River or marvel at the boundless expanse of Dau Tieng Lake.
The ability to connect with nature
Sometimes we tell each other that mountain climbing is like finding your life's path. You can't succeed if you don't dare to start. Starting requires overcoming fear, the fear that your body can't withstand the hardships along the way, the fear of unpredictable risks that surround you at each stage. The first thing you need to prepare for is good health. You also need to "prepare" or "rediscover" your ability to connect with nature.
It's about recognizing the pristine beauty of nature, feeling at ease with the plants, the sun and wind, easily lying on a rock, comfortably camping, and sleeping at the edge of the forest. Connection sometimes comes from the "support" of nature, like a cool stream, or from the dangers, like a flood after the rain. Gradually, after many mountain climbs, we connect more easily with our own natural selves, becoming as strong and resilient as the people of the forest.
Around the mountain, there are several different paths, each offering a unique experience. You might get lost, then have to accept changing direction and choosing a detour. No matter which path you take, with persistent effort, you will eventually find your way to the summit.
And it's the way you behave along the way that truly brings happiness. Don't just keep climbing the mountain and forget the simple beauty along the way; don't forget to stop and take a breath of fresh air when you're tired; don't forget the companion who helped you through the tiring stretches. Because if you're alone at the summit, wouldn't that be the ultimate moment of loneliness?
Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/chinh-phuc-nhung-noc-nha-3142385.html
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