Northern Mountaineering: A Guide to Conquering the End-of-Year Routes

Northern Trekking Season: Timing and Challenges

As the northeast monsoon winds blow in, the mountain peaks of northern Vietnam enter their most attractive tourist season of the year, which usually lasts from November to April. This is the ideal time to "hunt" for floating seas of clouds or admire rare ice. However, the surge in visitors, especially on weekends, can cause congestion on trails and overcrowding at rest houses, requiring careful preparation to ensure a safe and complete trip.

Based on the experiences of Mr. Manh Chien, representative of YOLO Trekking, and Mr. Thanh Tung, a person who has conquered many mountain peaks in Vietnam, here is the necessary information for your journey.

Choose the right destination

Trekking routes in the North are very diverse, classified by difficulty, altitude and terrain. Below are the prominent areas that attract a large number of trekking lovers.

Son La - Yen Bai area

This place is famous for mountain peaks such as Ta Xua, known as "cloud paradise", along with Ta Chi Nhu, Lung Cung and Sa Mu. These routes are of moderate difficulty, suitable for both beginners and experienced people.

Tourists check in at Lung Cung peak on the morning of November 16. Photo: Nguyen Trong Cung

Lao Cai area

Lao Cai is home to some of the most majestic mountains, including the "roof of Indochina" Fansipan, Ngu Chi Son with its rugged terrain, Lao Than, Nhiu Co San and Bach Moc Luong Tu. These are real challenges, requiring good physical strength and careful preparation.

Lai Chau area and neighboring areas

This land possesses many wild and challenging mountain peaks such as Po Ma Lung, Chung Nghia Vu, Pusilung, Khang Su Van, Putaleng, Ta Lien Son, Nam Kang Ho Tao, Chuva, Can Chua, Rang Cua and Mieu Thach Son.

Plan your trip

Choosing the type of tour you choose can have a big impact on cost, experience, and safety. There are three common options you can consider.

Forms of mountain climbing

Self-sufficient: This is the most economical option, with a cost of 1.5 million VND/person. You will take care of everything from transportation, food to hiring a porter for about 500,000 - 700,000 VND/day. However, this form requires experience and has many potential risks.
Tour porter: Some experienced porters will organize the tour themselves. You just need to move to the meeting point yourself, the rest will be taken care of by them. The cost ranges from 1.5 to 2 million VND/person. This is a solution that balances cost and convenience, while also supporting the local economy.
Package Tour: This type is best suited for beginners or those who prioritize comfort. Travel companies will take care of the entire itinerary from A to Z, including pick-up and drop-off from Hanoi. The cost is usually from 3 million VND/person or more, depending on the quality of service.

Mr. Thanh Tung advises: "If cost is a priority, try traveling on your own. If you are new or do not care about money, you should choose a reputable tour operator."

Essentials for beginners

Prepare physically and mentally

For first-time climbers, mental and physical preparation are the two most important factors. Be prepared for the journey to be tiring to avoid discouragement. Start regular physical training about 10-15 days before the trip, for example, practice climbing 20 flights of stairs every day, and rest completely for the last 2-3 days to allow your muscles to recover.

Tourists should equip themselves with knowledge before climbing the mountain. Photo: Lekima Hung

Clothing and personal items

The most important item is a pair of specialized shoes with good grip and anti-slip. Regarding clothing, prioritize comfort: the inner layer is a breathable shirt, the outer layer is a light jacket and quick-drying pants. In winter, you need to add thermal shirts, sweaters, warm hats and heat pads. Don't forget accessories such as hats, glasses, gloves, knee pads and at least two pairs of socks. A personal medicine bag with basic medicines such as painkillers, digestives and medical bandages is indispensable.

Important Safety Note

The temperature on the mountain is usually about 10 degrees Celsius lower than at the foot of the mountain. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully check the weather forecast and prepare enough warm clothes. In particular, female visitors should minimize the use of alcoholic beverages at the shelter. Due to the narrow common living space, losing control of behavior can lead to unnecessary risks. Moreover, alcohol directly affects physical strength, increasing the risk of exhaustion the next day of climbing.

Source: https://baodanang.vn/leo-nui-mien-bac-cam-nang-chinh-phuc-cac-cung-duong-cuoi-nam-3314187.html