bsacbob
Administrator (Retired)
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2012
- Location
- Chiang Rai
- Bikes
- Honda CRM-AR 250, Honda CRF 250-L, Suzuki V Strom XT 650 Honda XR250 Baja BMW F650GS
Well, it was another early start we expected it to be a long day (381 km), we had grabbed some baguettes from the Indian the previous night so breakfast on the hotel steps, so objective Numero Uno was Lima Site 85.
Leaving Vieng Xai at daybreak it was nice and cool.
![77599 77599](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67087-8ba4aa0177ab4c56c7c2cc0ec5e3a233.jpg)
![77600 77600](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67088-7c63237ade357599f23d45a2bd50915b.jpg)
Our route.
Passed this area a few years ago and saw some UXO guy's clearing the side of the road for the new bridge construction.
![77601 77601](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67089-cb7850fae498435dbc34c1e7c4c87b41.jpg)
The old Bailey bridge on its last legs.
![77602 77602](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67090-0ea5ae20329a560635b3df5a50d655cc.jpg)
New road section through the Karst.
![77603 77603](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67091-8a39a0c91728b85b07cbe2067f4a5381.jpg)
The decorator clearly had a sense of humour with this house.
![77604 77604](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67092-ddab79cd7ad52001477670fe37e90496.jpg)
The old wat having some improvements, not sure of the significance of the flags on the sand hill.
![77605 77605](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67093-40d295da77dc5a0727ecb45526b652da.jpg)
![77606 77606](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67094-68ad9effb9e03cf112147c1a3cf97878.jpg)
Reaching SN in quick time.
![77607 77607](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67095-18a30c29561c0d27bc869e5820f9a005.jpg)
The 3203 is now paved although the gravel chipping dressing was not the most enjoyable surface.
![77608 77608](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67096-525943b3f23b1fe75f6e26c1f9e00590.jpg)
![77609 77609](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67097-bc95f30c0f9b61c5dbaab9900d097ce1.jpg)
The road construction is pretty poor quality, hard to see it survive a wet season up here.
![77610 77610](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67098-3567c9978463e1db82c1efea270edbad.jpg)
![77611 77611](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67099-9d526b223ed1b404bdf7213512c82ba1.jpg)
The new bridge going in at Sathon, no more wet feet.
![77614 77614](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67102-e1bfaeeed64b441f12fc378196186c53.jpg)
![77615 77615](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67103-8252d0c1b75db9d4b442d1e0c1bce065.jpg)
![77616 77616](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67104-2a3936f41024265d19c26defabb31e39.jpg)
![77617 77617](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67105-2f8f1de926fa7addbd1fd079c0896b53.jpg)
The pavement continues till you reach the village of Ban Houayma at N20.40119° E103.69672° for the turn to Phu Pha Tai.
![77618 77618](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67106-4f1cf55764f4a16774e658f375913dd6.jpg)
Tinglish at its best.
![77619 77619](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67107-516b8a17bbe727eaa5c83bf2341fa4ad.jpg)
![77620 77620](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67108-1c89bc1cd5d23423cd9833d44370fdc6.jpg)
The road down to the base of the mountain is well graded and posed no problem.
![77621 77621](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67109-183b4fff9c66cb03f0bcfdb5bf856b65.jpg)
We reached the small army outpost at the foot of the enormous new staircase, we de-kitted what we didn't need for the climb and motioned towards the stairs, we quickly got the attention of the army guy's and motioned we needed to come to see them> we had already had reports of people who had been turned away for not having a ticket and hoped a big smile would pull us through.
After some chit chat and a drink, an armed guide was assigned to, we paid our fee and good to go.
![77622 77622](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67110-da7ae5c9afcd36026886bbbe76049ab7.jpg)
I should point out it was around 9am and was already getting hot, according to the guide there are 1375 step to the summit, my old knee's felt every bloody one of them !!!
Below the army camp or ticket office really.
![77623 77623](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67111-3b1f1e7eec8850000fef64ef0860fbd5.jpg)
The stair is galvanised so should last for several years, it must have been a huge effort to install such a structure.
![77624 77624](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67112-fe8f8a144e8ddd8f66ba23ba2e897914.jpg)
The guide waiting several times as I gasped for air, riding boots not a good idea.
Elevation from the foot of the stairs to the top is around 1km, all uphill!!
![77625 77625](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67113-51ab6a75a9db0ee8be8a9e71cc106c86.jpg)
Remnants of the old cat ladder still in place.
![77626 77626](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67114-e5631ac5b3c148f54e193381a753202f.jpg)
Our chubby armed guide got ahead of me, he does this trip sometimes 4 times a day.
![77627 77627](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67115-0323f8b51c7088cc97dadc06bff577c1.jpg)
Just before you reach the top there is a small cave with a machine gun with an armoured plate in front, not sure if this was placed there or was, in fact, a shooting point.
![77628 77628](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67116-5dd2e93c24cd77566764dbf779911ea7.jpg)
On the outcrop is a Howitzer, but the guide was to take us to that area.
![77629 77629](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67117-17501ee899fe4425b7e848c4e43c9629.jpg)
Presumably machine gun tripods.
![77630 77630](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67118-3322d06e518978c15e203ccbc58717b3.jpg)
One of two 105mm Howitzers we saw ( the third out of limits).
![77631 77631](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67119-4bcdb4007f04088d3005d0e124f78850.jpg)
![77632 77632](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67120-d11917ee4c93878446d890cb62e5abce.jpg)
![77633 77633](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67121-6d78f627a4ffeaf35ede8411de718d4f.jpg)
![77634 77634](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67122-f202d3d1401bdaa994e02d40e614b45f.jpg)
Was told this is a base plate for a mortar launcher.
![77635 77635](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67123-f0c84955f791710efd2003c26ca82efe.jpg)
The view from the top, going down should be a lot easier.
![77636 77636](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67124-86f015bf34555e3bb20918ff1f213f67.jpg)
A small shack houses a small group of soldiers who protect the site.
![77637 77637](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67125-e00d2102167e2b5887bcf0bf2082ca69.jpg)
Pretty basic kitchen.
![77638 77638](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67126-5d6e0554eaa426c01072fbf8d3919792.jpg)
As you walk around you cannot help feel how isolated the place is, the battle for Lima 85 is well documented and 12 American servicemen are still unaccounted for, below some links to the tragedy that unfolded here.
The Fall of Lima Site 85
The Fall of Lima Site 85 — Central Intelligence Agency
Here is a video shot by a group of American Hmong people making a pilgrimage to the mountain, interesting perspective and some shots of the original base during construction I have not seen before.
![77639 77639](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67127-a57ec1536b727f5aa6613202bc97f160.jpg)
Approaching the landing zone, in the background the fork loader.
![77640 77640](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67128-6b82fba8a18a61d1aa31e9d97a4af37b.jpg)
All the way along the pathway are huge bomb craters.
![77641 77641](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67129-271ad6d8d31d26d34fce5836e0c5dde8.jpg)
Another of the Howitzers.
![77642 77642](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67130-dfe19ea16523604e080c81632d905f85.jpg)
![77643 77643](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67131-1c3b9fec39983d127f8010663195e10a.jpg)
![77644 77644](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67132-f4fe878e76b7f5b5b9c323ffebae690c.jpg)
![77645 77645](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67133-3a31c6190c09de1dc7b6548fca8045ce.jpg)
![77646 77646](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67134-cd61fdd4ca16a203942abda951a0b5a9.jpg)
![77647 77647](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67135-5aa122ffbf6dda0684615dc0ff378fda.jpg)
![77648 77648](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67136-98c01151a86fa30cab3364e5809754db.jpg)
The fork loader, on closer inspection the motor has been blown apart.
![77649 77649](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67137-4fc72fa15de1f9aa01abc6e1432b965a.jpg)
![77650 77650](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67138-43fce0f38438bb3681698057460c0ad8.jpg)
![77651 77651](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67139-9183989944693c5ba8e60ff8bd533a65.jpg)
Roof riddled with bullet holes.
![77652 77652](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67140-96dc66a9ed0d3c30e5b3b5c137b80129.jpg)
![77653 77653](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67141-752db06b29a06447ea5c1195e951fe0f.jpg)
The guide then brought us to what looked like parts of the motor of a helicopter, I was not aware any helicopters crashed on the mountain.
![77654 77654](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67142-213ffda14750c098ca2dd7e82a8b13d3.jpg)
Clearly the rotor shaft.
![77655 77655](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67143-29c3c663ea7c173fb258e46a44ce8616.jpg)
![77656 77656](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67144-68a8492d750327f43edd27e88b916ba4.jpg)
One of the many natural gun emplacements.
![77657 77657](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67145-84a9ca97cc78e64f2c977c834d537600.jpg)
![77658 77658](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67146-bf972c6dfda5938af552f4fe3d9d5e0f.jpg)
![77659 77659](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67147-afe6d43bffdc692f6596468ad0b50024.jpg)
![77660 77660](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67148-64388eadc2ba6eb182c04e54525b90c7.jpg)
Part of the generator motor.
![77661 77661](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67149-f4a274a943ed71d307fa3bdc5e9028bc.jpg)
![77662 77662](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67150-085781ebc4481340df63a78b372065a7.jpg)
The Tacan control building, little left apart from the steel base work.
![77663 77663](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67151-866280161c2fb2864c2fb02286da57e4.jpg)
![77664 77664](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67152-2d06a249550ed224c420eefd6b024fd7.jpg)
Mangled steel from the bombing runs to destroy the base after it's evacuation.
![77665 77665](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67153-22a8e02f1525302d131fb8bd74de17c1.jpg)
![77666 77666](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67154-b5070dc6c5f87727678f71416bfcd466.jpg)
This gives some sense of the ferocity of the attack, this siding torn apart by shrapnel.
![77667 77667](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67155-c2695067bbcad765356e94931b702e09.jpg)
![77668 77668](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67156-57953ff9089c7a10fffe3407e12f9b27.jpg)
The highest point of the mountain, hard to imagine sappers could climb up here with weapons and other equipment. Also understanding how all the soldiers and other personnel trapped must have felt under such an attack knowing the only way off was by air, tragic indeed.
![77669 77669](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67157-a8875838f2881af43ee49aae81b7afcf.jpg)
A small cave that runs north to south through the mountain.
![77670 77670](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67158-c83682383ffaa6d31a600b8d66b83e44.jpg)
The narrow tunnel maybe 30 metres long.
![77671 77671](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67159-f85599bf18b0636d4d4fa4a63577c4aa.jpg)
The view was somewhat poor due to the burning.
![77672 77672](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67160-2505553152d01e114b8733f4f656c2a5.jpg)
![77673 77673](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67161-bdb1746929e96515cf1b1fcd722f324c.jpg)
![77674 77674](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67162-f0dc2cf2d16d2cbd4e0ca1361aa2370d.jpg)
![77675 77675](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67163-89c70b3c2b5a1bf45e3e121233796ce0.jpg)
![77676 77676](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67164-4dc65cfe44d4b8157d3d011c7dc53d2e.jpg)
The guide showing us what he claimed to be a defence point as he casually set a fire to reduce the vegetation, how there are no live rounds in the area now.
![77677 77677](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67165-2bfa7261f55cc8f350ceb6b4399bd188.jpg)
![77678 77678](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67166-969dd0d2511fb2d3b51546a2f23bfbb8.jpg)
![77679 77679](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67167-673e395c92d1f1015c94831812745a0b.jpg)
![77680 77680](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67168-077293c5f116ee011417df06212588ed.jpg)
![77681 77681](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67169-6cb8bda3fe1721e5f87379ef84787d82.jpg)
Another view of the landing zone looking towards the Howitzer.
![77682 77682](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67170-8fb2172ddefaed756c61bd83f482d68d.jpg)
Everywhere are scrap torn metal from the bombings.
![77683 77683](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67171-a4e6000bbfddbc03b436e01bdbb2b3c8.jpg)
![77684 77684](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67172-88bf8ab217696793f5d68df7dbb4f803.jpg)
Heading back to the soldiers camp, to the right is a new brick built camp being made, all the bricks are carried up by hand.
![77685 77685](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67173-f0d1de1b8ea0440ef1333f55c0a0fe7e.jpg)
![77686 77686](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67174-14c973c35b666628e4c75a191cc693df.jpg)
![77687 77687](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67175-12d0bd59421bfc9b11ea50129a3da905.jpg)
![77688 77688](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67176-ea02e3a90bdb5b97167cdbc9821b0bc7.jpg)
![77689 77689](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67177-0a5f3febc6177c92af844ea03cbccc64.jpg)
We make our way down, to walk around it carefully you need a couple of hours.
![77690 77690](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67178-e5e4671c93acc2913d491482e4661e70.jpg)
As we made our way down another cave but very deep, I came across a belt buckle, the guide told me to keep.
![77691 77691](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67179-4945da7252a74a858208f6167d52d844.jpg)
![77692 77692](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67180-3fae0fa8bf8138a38e5830c9564bfe35.jpg)
![77693 77693](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67181-816aa5c9cfb7d01e283b7742b5a39070.jpg)
I carried my GPS in my pocket whilst making the trip, here is what I had waypointed.
After giving the guide a nice tip, it was time to make our way.
![77694 77694](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67182-421203b2fa1411c5fb8f61269ca082b1.jpg)
Back to the main village, to take in some liquid and recap on what we had seen.
![77695 77695](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67183-77ed46549c242effc9949dd36faaa1c6.jpg)
The road from here is still graded dirt of sorts, little progress has been made to pave this section.
![77696 77696](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67184-13e837e8a6f16cd682a837039766d0be.jpg)
![77697 77697](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67185-2f25d11cc753025cd1459410301746c3.jpg)
occasional road crew station with Backhoe to clear landslides.
![77698 77698](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67186-25047018ff3f32c81f9e9455c09344f0.jpg)
![77699 77699](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67187-3f7df8f6fd25768ab379aa37f679adaa.jpg)
![77700 77700](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67188-28178c43ac2a30f05e589638fd1502b8.jpg)
![77701 77701](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67189-37eafa42924acb1eec16d4bb77fa2d19.jpg)
![77702 77702](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67190-1861c76e46cb8dd2fcf673c2afe69986.jpg)
![77703 77703](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67191-d2329cef57b3a5f9df7025d1481632df.jpg)
Small Hmong village I give the kid's some toys.
![77704 77704](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67192-a63cfd66dee94ef353f9e9d6eb9e775a.jpg)
![77705 77705](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67193-87a7d7258d443a8ed70c9b11e3cb7018.jpg)
![77706 77706](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67194-70f5cc4f64c4a001362be9aee1cd0151.jpg)
We make the turn at Xop Nuea and another drink stop.
![77707 77707](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67195-87c4aeb4773ba08c13eb7759768a3d88.jpg)
Ladies here weaving to supplement their earnings.
![77708 77708](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67196-0026dd95a4ecd80359ffb14097c46e98.jpg)
![77709 77709](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67197-e50121585220e5f70ce1f9fff3d744a2.jpg)
Reached Muang Hiam we stopped for lunch at the Tontavanh Restaurant N20.08404° E103.37006°
We decided to push on to reach Nong Kiew and checked into the Sunrise Bungalows on the river for the night.
N20.57040° E102.61707°
![77710 77710](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67198-468566a8ab9ac91586ddceacc8371613.jpg)
![77711 77711](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67199-48b2f7b77e4ec0f79db6cccf629d61f7.jpg)
Pillbox guarding the Chinese bridge.
![77712 77712](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67200-fb042ec32b8a0126bef1ce2f4126bdf2.jpg)
New slipway on the Nam Ou.
![77713 77713](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67201-6fffe41822d90601743676e862bcc4f7.jpg)
![77714 77714](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67202-15da8e2202d8186ff6813a510864aa6c.jpg)
It was a long but rewarding day, we both agreed it was the highlight of the trip, in the morning back on the dirt heading north.
Leaving Vieng Xai at daybreak it was nice and cool.
![77599 77599](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67087-8ba4aa0177ab4c56c7c2cc0ec5e3a233.jpg)
![77600 77600](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67088-7c63237ade357599f23d45a2bd50915b.jpg)
Our route.
Passed this area a few years ago and saw some UXO guy's clearing the side of the road for the new bridge construction.
![77601 77601](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67089-cb7850fae498435dbc34c1e7c4c87b41.jpg)
The old Bailey bridge on its last legs.
![77602 77602](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67090-0ea5ae20329a560635b3df5a50d655cc.jpg)
New road section through the Karst.
![77603 77603](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67091-8a39a0c91728b85b07cbe2067f4a5381.jpg)
The decorator clearly had a sense of humour with this house.
![77604 77604](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67092-ddab79cd7ad52001477670fe37e90496.jpg)
The old wat having some improvements, not sure of the significance of the flags on the sand hill.
![77605 77605](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67093-40d295da77dc5a0727ecb45526b652da.jpg)
![77606 77606](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67094-68ad9effb9e03cf112147c1a3cf97878.jpg)
Reaching SN in quick time.
![77607 77607](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67095-18a30c29561c0d27bc869e5820f9a005.jpg)
The 3203 is now paved although the gravel chipping dressing was not the most enjoyable surface.
![77608 77608](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67096-525943b3f23b1fe75f6e26c1f9e00590.jpg)
![77609 77609](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67097-bc95f30c0f9b61c5dbaab9900d097ce1.jpg)
The road construction is pretty poor quality, hard to see it survive a wet season up here.
![77610 77610](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67098-3567c9978463e1db82c1efea270edbad.jpg)
![77611 77611](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67099-9d526b223ed1b404bdf7213512c82ba1.jpg)
The new bridge going in at Sathon, no more wet feet.
![77614 77614](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67102-e1bfaeeed64b441f12fc378196186c53.jpg)
![77615 77615](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67103-8252d0c1b75db9d4b442d1e0c1bce065.jpg)
![77616 77616](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67104-2a3936f41024265d19c26defabb31e39.jpg)
![77617 77617](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67105-2f8f1de926fa7addbd1fd079c0896b53.jpg)
The pavement continues till you reach the village of Ban Houayma at N20.40119° E103.69672° for the turn to Phu Pha Tai.
![77618 77618](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67106-4f1cf55764f4a16774e658f375913dd6.jpg)
Tinglish at its best.
![77619 77619](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67107-516b8a17bbe727eaa5c83bf2341fa4ad.jpg)
![77620 77620](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67108-1c89bc1cd5d23423cd9833d44370fdc6.jpg)
The road down to the base of the mountain is well graded and posed no problem.
![77621 77621](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67109-183b4fff9c66cb03f0bcfdb5bf856b65.jpg)
We reached the small army outpost at the foot of the enormous new staircase, we de-kitted what we didn't need for the climb and motioned towards the stairs, we quickly got the attention of the army guy's and motioned we needed to come to see them> we had already had reports of people who had been turned away for not having a ticket and hoped a big smile would pull us through.
After some chit chat and a drink, an armed guide was assigned to, we paid our fee and good to go.
![77622 77622](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67110-da7ae5c9afcd36026886bbbe76049ab7.jpg)
I should point out it was around 9am and was already getting hot, according to the guide there are 1375 step to the summit, my old knee's felt every bloody one of them !!!
Below the army camp or ticket office really.
![77623 77623](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67111-3b1f1e7eec8850000fef64ef0860fbd5.jpg)
The stair is galvanised so should last for several years, it must have been a huge effort to install such a structure.
![77624 77624](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67112-fe8f8a144e8ddd8f66ba23ba2e897914.jpg)
The guide waiting several times as I gasped for air, riding boots not a good idea.
Elevation from the foot of the stairs to the top is around 1km, all uphill!!
![77625 77625](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67113-51ab6a75a9db0ee8be8a9e71cc106c86.jpg)
Remnants of the old cat ladder still in place.
![77626 77626](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67114-e5631ac5b3c148f54e193381a753202f.jpg)
Our chubby armed guide got ahead of me, he does this trip sometimes 4 times a day.
![77627 77627](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67115-0323f8b51c7088cc97dadc06bff577c1.jpg)
Just before you reach the top there is a small cave with a machine gun with an armoured plate in front, not sure if this was placed there or was, in fact, a shooting point.
![77628 77628](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67116-5dd2e93c24cd77566764dbf779911ea7.jpg)
On the outcrop is a Howitzer, but the guide was to take us to that area.
![77629 77629](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67117-17501ee899fe4425b7e848c4e43c9629.jpg)
Presumably machine gun tripods.
![77630 77630](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67118-3322d06e518978c15e203ccbc58717b3.jpg)
One of two 105mm Howitzers we saw ( the third out of limits).
![77631 77631](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67119-4bcdb4007f04088d3005d0e124f78850.jpg)
![77632 77632](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67120-d11917ee4c93878446d890cb62e5abce.jpg)
![77633 77633](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67121-6d78f627a4ffeaf35ede8411de718d4f.jpg)
![77634 77634](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67122-f202d3d1401bdaa994e02d40e614b45f.jpg)
Was told this is a base plate for a mortar launcher.
![77635 77635](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67123-f0c84955f791710efd2003c26ca82efe.jpg)
The view from the top, going down should be a lot easier.
![77636 77636](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67124-86f015bf34555e3bb20918ff1f213f67.jpg)
A small shack houses a small group of soldiers who protect the site.
![77637 77637](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67125-e00d2102167e2b5887bcf0bf2082ca69.jpg)
Pretty basic kitchen.
![77638 77638](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67126-5d6e0554eaa426c01072fbf8d3919792.jpg)
As you walk around you cannot help feel how isolated the place is, the battle for Lima 85 is well documented and 12 American servicemen are still unaccounted for, below some links to the tragedy that unfolded here.
The Fall of Lima Site 85
The Fall of Lima Site 85 — Central Intelligence Agency
Here is a video shot by a group of American Hmong people making a pilgrimage to the mountain, interesting perspective and some shots of the original base during construction I have not seen before.
![77639 77639](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67127-a57ec1536b727f5aa6613202bc97f160.jpg)
Approaching the landing zone, in the background the fork loader.
![77640 77640](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67128-6b82fba8a18a61d1aa31e9d97a4af37b.jpg)
All the way along the pathway are huge bomb craters.
![77641 77641](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67129-271ad6d8d31d26d34fce5836e0c5dde8.jpg)
Another of the Howitzers.
![77642 77642](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67130-dfe19ea16523604e080c81632d905f85.jpg)
![77643 77643](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67131-1c3b9fec39983d127f8010663195e10a.jpg)
![77644 77644](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67132-f4fe878e76b7f5b5b9c323ffebae690c.jpg)
![77645 77645](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67133-3a31c6190c09de1dc7b6548fca8045ce.jpg)
![77646 77646](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67134-cd61fdd4ca16a203942abda951a0b5a9.jpg)
![77647 77647](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67135-5aa122ffbf6dda0684615dc0ff378fda.jpg)
![77648 77648](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67136-98c01151a86fa30cab3364e5809754db.jpg)
The fork loader, on closer inspection the motor has been blown apart.
![77649 77649](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67137-4fc72fa15de1f9aa01abc6e1432b965a.jpg)
![77650 77650](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67138-43fce0f38438bb3681698057460c0ad8.jpg)
![77651 77651](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67139-9183989944693c5ba8e60ff8bd533a65.jpg)
Roof riddled with bullet holes.
![77652 77652](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67140-96dc66a9ed0d3c30e5b3b5c137b80129.jpg)
![77653 77653](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67141-752db06b29a06447ea5c1195e951fe0f.jpg)
The guide then brought us to what looked like parts of the motor of a helicopter, I was not aware any helicopters crashed on the mountain.
![77654 77654](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67142-213ffda14750c098ca2dd7e82a8b13d3.jpg)
Clearly the rotor shaft.
![77655 77655](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67143-29c3c663ea7c173fb258e46a44ce8616.jpg)
![77656 77656](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67144-68a8492d750327f43edd27e88b916ba4.jpg)
One of the many natural gun emplacements.
![77657 77657](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67145-84a9ca97cc78e64f2c977c834d537600.jpg)
![77658 77658](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67146-bf972c6dfda5938af552f4fe3d9d5e0f.jpg)
![77659 77659](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67147-afe6d43bffdc692f6596468ad0b50024.jpg)
![77660 77660](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67148-64388eadc2ba6eb182c04e54525b90c7.jpg)
Part of the generator motor.
![77661 77661](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67149-f4a274a943ed71d307fa3bdc5e9028bc.jpg)
![77662 77662](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67150-085781ebc4481340df63a78b372065a7.jpg)
The Tacan control building, little left apart from the steel base work.
![77663 77663](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67151-866280161c2fb2864c2fb02286da57e4.jpg)
![77664 77664](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67152-2d06a249550ed224c420eefd6b024fd7.jpg)
Mangled steel from the bombing runs to destroy the base after it's evacuation.
![77665 77665](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67153-22a8e02f1525302d131fb8bd74de17c1.jpg)
![77666 77666](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67154-b5070dc6c5f87727678f71416bfcd466.jpg)
This gives some sense of the ferocity of the attack, this siding torn apart by shrapnel.
![77667 77667](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67155-c2695067bbcad765356e94931b702e09.jpg)
![77668 77668](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67156-57953ff9089c7a10fffe3407e12f9b27.jpg)
The highest point of the mountain, hard to imagine sappers could climb up here with weapons and other equipment. Also understanding how all the soldiers and other personnel trapped must have felt under such an attack knowing the only way off was by air, tragic indeed.
![77669 77669](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67157-a8875838f2881af43ee49aae81b7afcf.jpg)
A small cave that runs north to south through the mountain.
![77670 77670](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67158-c83682383ffaa6d31a600b8d66b83e44.jpg)
The narrow tunnel maybe 30 metres long.
![77671 77671](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67159-f85599bf18b0636d4d4fa4a63577c4aa.jpg)
The view was somewhat poor due to the burning.
![77672 77672](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67160-2505553152d01e114b8733f4f656c2a5.jpg)
![77673 77673](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67161-bdb1746929e96515cf1b1fcd722f324c.jpg)
![77674 77674](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67162-f0dc2cf2d16d2cbd4e0ca1361aa2370d.jpg)
![77675 77675](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67163-89c70b3c2b5a1bf45e3e121233796ce0.jpg)
![77676 77676](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67164-4dc65cfe44d4b8157d3d011c7dc53d2e.jpg)
The guide showing us what he claimed to be a defence point as he casually set a fire to reduce the vegetation, how there are no live rounds in the area now.
![77677 77677](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67165-2bfa7261f55cc8f350ceb6b4399bd188.jpg)
![77678 77678](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67166-969dd0d2511fb2d3b51546a2f23bfbb8.jpg)
![77679 77679](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67167-673e395c92d1f1015c94831812745a0b.jpg)
![77680 77680](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67168-077293c5f116ee011417df06212588ed.jpg)
![77681 77681](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67169-6cb8bda3fe1721e5f87379ef84787d82.jpg)
Another view of the landing zone looking towards the Howitzer.
![77682 77682](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67170-8fb2172ddefaed756c61bd83f482d68d.jpg)
Everywhere are scrap torn metal from the bombings.
![77683 77683](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67171-a4e6000bbfddbc03b436e01bdbb2b3c8.jpg)
![77684 77684](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67172-88bf8ab217696793f5d68df7dbb4f803.jpg)
Heading back to the soldiers camp, to the right is a new brick built camp being made, all the bricks are carried up by hand.
![77685 77685](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67173-f0d1de1b8ea0440ef1333f55c0a0fe7e.jpg)
![77686 77686](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67174-14c973c35b666628e4c75a191cc693df.jpg)
![77687 77687](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67175-12d0bd59421bfc9b11ea50129a3da905.jpg)
![77688 77688](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67176-ea02e3a90bdb5b97167cdbc9821b0bc7.jpg)
![77689 77689](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67177-0a5f3febc6177c92af844ea03cbccc64.jpg)
We make our way down, to walk around it carefully you need a couple of hours.
![77690 77690](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67178-e5e4671c93acc2913d491482e4661e70.jpg)
As we made our way down another cave but very deep, I came across a belt buckle, the guide told me to keep.
![77691 77691](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67179-4945da7252a74a858208f6167d52d844.jpg)
![77692 77692](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67180-3fae0fa8bf8138a38e5830c9564bfe35.jpg)
![77693 77693](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67181-816aa5c9cfb7d01e283b7742b5a39070.jpg)
I carried my GPS in my pocket whilst making the trip, here is what I had waypointed.
After giving the guide a nice tip, it was time to make our way.
![77694 77694](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67182-421203b2fa1411c5fb8f61269ca082b1.jpg)
Back to the main village, to take in some liquid and recap on what we had seen.
![77695 77695](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67183-77ed46549c242effc9949dd36faaa1c6.jpg)
The road from here is still graded dirt of sorts, little progress has been made to pave this section.
![77696 77696](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67184-13e837e8a6f16cd682a837039766d0be.jpg)
![77697 77697](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67185-2f25d11cc753025cd1459410301746c3.jpg)
occasional road crew station with Backhoe to clear landslides.
![77698 77698](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67186-25047018ff3f32c81f9e9455c09344f0.jpg)
![77699 77699](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67187-3f7df8f6fd25768ab379aa37f679adaa.jpg)
![77700 77700](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67188-28178c43ac2a30f05e589638fd1502b8.jpg)
![77701 77701](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67189-37eafa42924acb1eec16d4bb77fa2d19.jpg)
![77702 77702](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67190-1861c76e46cb8dd2fcf673c2afe69986.jpg)
![77703 77703](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67191-d2329cef57b3a5f9df7025d1481632df.jpg)
Small Hmong village I give the kid's some toys.
![77704 77704](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67192-a63cfd66dee94ef353f9e9d6eb9e775a.jpg)
![77705 77705](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67193-87a7d7258d443a8ed70c9b11e3cb7018.jpg)
![77706 77706](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67194-70f5cc4f64c4a001362be9aee1cd0151.jpg)
We make the turn at Xop Nuea and another drink stop.
![77707 77707](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67195-87c4aeb4773ba08c13eb7759768a3d88.jpg)
Ladies here weaving to supplement their earnings.
![77708 77708](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67196-0026dd95a4ecd80359ffb14097c46e98.jpg)
![77709 77709](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67197-e50121585220e5f70ce1f9fff3d744a2.jpg)
Reached Muang Hiam we stopped for lunch at the Tontavanh Restaurant N20.08404° E103.37006°
We decided to push on to reach Nong Kiew and checked into the Sunrise Bungalows on the river for the night.
N20.57040° E102.61707°
![77710 77710](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67198-468566a8ab9ac91586ddceacc8371613.jpg)
![77711 77711](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67199-48b2f7b77e4ec0f79db6cccf629d61f7.jpg)
Pillbox guarding the Chinese bridge.
![77712 77712](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67200-fb042ec32b8a0126bef1ce2f4126bdf2.jpg)
New slipway on the Nam Ou.
![77713 77713](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67201-6fffe41822d90601743676e862bcc4f7.jpg)
![77714 77714](https://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/data/attachments/67/67202-15da8e2202d8186ff6813a510864aa6c.jpg)
It was a long but rewarding day, we both agreed it was the highlight of the trip, in the morning back on the dirt heading north.