Offroad Bash, Lak 48 westward to the Mighty Mekong

[Midnitemapper]

Mostly graded roads along this stretch, piecing together a route to the Mekong
I am amazed at the improvements, new bridge construction on the Nam Thon.

Hot Hot and a welcomed sight< Ice cream seller on the road!

Great view of Karst formations Meun District



This track takes you over some steep hills through some mining areas, Barite! (Wikipedia is wonderful!)

Picking my way through mining exploration, logging, farming tracks...
This tuk tuk is blocking the track about half way up a steep grade.



I power to the top and walk down to see what they are going to do..
No novices these guys wrap the rope around the axle and winch their way up one section at a time!

I run across 2 yelping dogs and this guy jumps out of the bush.


Steep hills and technical tracks.. a liter left in the camelback...
This guy was not so lucky.




Fortunate for me, one of the mining tracks runs near a village I pop in for some much need hydration.

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[Steve Canyon]

How much longer you got left Don before it gets wet?

love it

 

[Midnitemapper]

More bridges to traverse

I run across an abandoned village..

More bridges




More great riding in between those freaky bridges
On this short ride I neglected to bring my bush saw but luckily this tree was easily cleared.



Getting close to the Mekong and more bridges and the trail is getting narrow and steep
Mekong in Sight!





One more bridge to cross

Down this tuk tuk track..

Destination reached great view
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[Midnitemapper]

Now the task of returning..to home base in the allotted 2 day time frame.
Which of course takes in a few more of these lovelies.



Some large new cut roads, A mapper never rests!!





Old logs, the landscape along this route is stripped.



I ran accross these big Sinotrucks bound for Hongsa mine but they seemed to be lost missing the turn at Sanakham!



Rains and thunderstorms a good chance for a break and settle the dust.





Only 3 hours to go after 9 hours in the saddle!

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[Pounce]

I run across an abandoned village..

Don, do you know what makes them up & leave a village?
Is it a seasonal thing, time for a change, bad water, bad karma or something else?

 

[KTMphil]

Have you left to go up north already Mr. D?

 

[Midnitemapper]

Abandoned villages, Interesting question Pounce, I see this quite frequently. Sometimes the government will encourage villages to relocate. For various reasons, Dams, hydroelectric, power lines or rail lines. Or a remote village with the surrounding slash and burn hills depleted of nutrients in the soil. I have seen villages re locate usually near a road were there is commerce. Looking at this one and seeing how much wood ect was left behind. I would say these villagers were alocated a new village.
Now I wish I had stopped and asked.
A good example of a relocated village if you have the GPS map is.B.Phonsavath, N18.71609 E102.10780
These villages were resettled from the Nam Ngum 2 reservoir area.
There is no mistaking a resettlement village as the houses are "cookie cutter".

Making preparations for a Northerly trip at the moment, The list is long. Phil will you be in Laos over the next few weeks.
I have a pretty ambitious itenerary including some caves,mines, NEW Roads, and historical sites.

See ya on the road.

 

[KTMphil]

I'll email you and try hook up with you -- great pictures

Abandoned villages, Interesting question Pounce, I see this quite frequently. Sometimes the government will encourage villages to relocate. For various reasons, Dams, hydroelectric, power lines or rail lines. Or a remote village with the surrounding slash and burn hills depleted of nutrients in the soil. I have seen villages re locate usually near a road were there is commerce. Looking at this one and seeing how much wood ect was left behind. I would say these villagers were alocated a new village.
Now I wish I had stopped and asked.
A good example of a relocated village if you have the GPS map is.B.Phonsavath, N18.71609 E102.10780
These villages were resettled from the Nam Ngum 2 reservoir area.
There is no mistaking a resettlement village as the houses are "cookie cutter".

Making preparations for a Northerly trip at the moment, The list is long. Phil will you be in Laos over the next few weeks.
I have a pretty ambitious itenerary including some caves,mines, NEW Roads, and historical sites.

See ya on the road.