At 6 o'clock, fog spread over the valley of Thao A village (Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province), our group gathered to prepare for the journey to conquer Nam Kang Ho Tao. Everything from climbing equipment to food, drinks and travel schedule had been carefully prepared by the 12 members of the group many days in advance.
The first 5 km was also a challenging warm-up for this memorable journey. The steep slopes, combined with the drizzle, made the trail slippery, forcing us to walk very carefully.
After nearly 3 hours of trekking through the forest, we reached an altitude of 1,900 m. From this altitude, the ecosystem began to change clearly. Forests with po mu, chestnut, bamboo pine mixed with broad-leaved trees such as oak and chò chỉ appeared. In particular, this area is also notable for its tall ancient Shan tuyet tea trees, covered with moss, creating a unique image of the old forests of the Northwest.
I had the opportunity to chat with Ms. Dang To Loan - a companion from Nghe An. Nam Kang Ho Tao is the first peak she conquered, and also the first time she came into contact with mountain climbing. For her, it is not simply a physical challenge but a journey to discover her own limits, overcome her fears and feel a deep connection with majestic nature.
I prepared carefully for many weeks, jogging to increase my endurance, bringing enough waterproof clothes and anti-leech medicine. But what worried me the most was not my physical strength, but my mentality - would I be able to reach the top of Nam Kang Ho Tao? But right now, I always thought in my head "just go, if others can do it, I can do it too", Loan shared.
At around 5pm, the whole group arrived at the shelter after a day of trekking through the forest and climbing uphill. The first leg of the journey with steep slopes and sudden rain seemed to have exhausted everyone. However, completing the progress as planned brought a feeling of excitement and a little pride. The members of the group prepared dinner together with vegetables, fried meat, fried eggs and peanut salt. The very ordinary dishes became a sumptuous feast after a day of hunger and fatigue. 12 mountain climbers, 12 different personalities and jobs, but when walking together on the same journey, all distances seemed to be erased. The stories and laughter seemed to break the silence of the night on the Hoang Lien range.
At 6am, when the fog was still covering the mountain, we set off again. That day, it was not raining, the temperature was around 12 - 13 degrees Celsius. The conditions were ideal for climbing, but the challenge still existed. From the shelter, the group had to climb continuously for many hours, crossing the primeval forest of Hoang Lien. Due to the exhaustion of the first day, everyone had a difficult start to the second day, more than half of the group members suffered from muscle tension and cramps. However, after the first 2 km, their bodies gradually got used to it and the group continued their journey.
After more than an hour, we reached an altitude of 2,500 m. Nature seemed to put on a new, quiet, dark green and mysterious coat. This is the transition zone between the tropical jungle and the high forest floor, where the vegetation changes both in shape and shade.
The mixed forests appear with a beautiful interweaving of broadleaf trees and conifers. All are covered with soft moss, dotted with lichens, ferns and wild orchids hidden in the thin mist, creating a magical space. This is also the "kingdom" of rhododendrons - the symbolic flower of Hoang Lien forest with dozens of brilliant flower colors blooming along the path.
For those who love the forest, longing to immerse themselves in the majestic nature and fully inhale the scent of the soil, the leaves, and the deep forest, this place is truly like a paradise. Each stretch of road appears like a magical natural painting, making everyone hold their phones to fully record the magical, pristine beauty.
Around noon, after nearly 2 days of trekking through forests and streams, our group officially set foot on the top of Nam Kang Ho Tao - a point 2,881 m above sea level.
The moment we stood before the milestone marking the top of the mountain, where the words “Nam Kang Ho Tao” were clearly engraved on the metal tower, all the tiredness, waiting, excitement and curiosity seemed to burst out. For many people, it might just be a destination, a peak in the list of places we have been to. But for me and everyone in the group, it was a true challenge, where will, effort and courage overcome our inner fears. Standing on the top of the mountain, amidst the clouds and wind, I understood that: There are journeys not only to reach the destination, but also to help us realize a stronger version of ourselves.
Mai Huyen, a tourist from Hanoi, was moved: Standing in the middle of the ancient forest, I realized the smallness of humans. Only when going deep into the forest, can we truly understand the pristine beauty of nature.
On the way back to Ta Van commune, I looked back at the distant mountain range in the mist. The journey had become a beautiful memory for all members of the group.
For me and my companions, conquering Nam Kang Ho Tao is not just about climbing but also about reaching our physical and emotional limits. That peak taught me about perseverance, the pristine beauty of nature and our smallness in front of the vastness of nature.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/nam-kang-ho-tao-hanh-trinh-giua-dai-ngan-post403200.html
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