What do we seek when we embark on a journey? Beauty, altitude, or happiness?

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4-5.02.2017 Photos from everyone on the trip

This review describes a forest that may not be on the beaten path, lacking iconic viewpoints or major attractions. It may not be an "unseen" destination, but the author finds it personally enjoyable. The excitement lies in researching the area, finding a local guide, and listening to their stories.

The reason for this trip to explore the crater-like hole was because the location resembled the one described in the novel "Phet Phra Uma." This reason alone was enough to set us on our journey. For this trip, I would like to thank Ngasai, Lek Mod, Phi Sam, Phi Tem, Team, Jinny, Khun Pom, Alice, Belle, and last but not least, Uncle Nu.

This expedition was for the truly adventurous and passionate about trekking, as there was no information available, and even the guide had never been there before. Our goal wasn't to conquer anything; we simply wanted to go, with no expectations of the destination. We carried our own shared food supplies and at least four liters of water each. We went because we loved trekking, and with no expectations, there was no disappointment.

This trip was not in vain. Our team found an endemic snake that is only found in Kanchanaburi province, the Kanburi haemacanthus (Trimeresurus kanburiensis). Follow our review for the travel stories of our team, Nok Kamin.

This trip, we cannot share the guide's contact information as he does not do this professionally. We do not want to inconvenience him further. He agreed to guide us because we had previously explored the forest together, which created a bond between us. (On our first trip, the guide told us that we wouldn't be able to walk in our attire. However, after sharing drinks around the campfire and experiencing an adventurous journey filled with laughter, we grew closer and developed trust in each other.) If you are interested in hiking with him, please inquire individually. He is getting older and had a leg fracture two years ago, in addition to his other commitments. If you wish to hike with him, please be patient.

According to Modterx Pata, "There are no questions, no answers." On every journey, many people choose to ask the question, "Why go? What for?"

However, for me, these questions were only asked after returning from the journey and having to reflect on the images and stories I encountered. What was the purpose of it all?

This trip was inspired by a previous exploration of Khao Phisdong, sparking a desire to explore more mountains in the vicinity. However, due to time constraints, research was postponed. A week later, while exploring Khao Radar and Khao Nam Nang in Saraburi (a review will follow), Uncle Rattara, full of energy and enthusiasm, sent pictures suggesting the area's potential. As he had planned to visit for some time, we wasted no time in scouting the location and finding a guide. Within three days, the trip materialized.

The inspiration for this trip came from two photos: one from Uncle Rattara and one from Uncle Thong. The photos, which are shown above, were taken by Blue. These photos were the only motivation for the trip; there was no other reason to go.

The enigmatic valley is scorching hot and cluttered, yet the rocks possess an unusual appearance. The forest within seems to belong to a realm of wonder.

The truth remains unknown.

Guided by the heart's imagination.

Into the vast expanse amidst the mountains

We only know that we have us and them. by Lekhamod

We met at Uncle Nu's house at 8:00 AM. We planned to leave early because we had been sunburned on the previous three trips. However, my brother's car was involved in an accident, which significantly delayed our departure. Despite the setback, we were determined to reach our destination. We started our hike around noon and spent the time waiting by engaging in various activities. The weather was hot, and we each carried 4-5 liters of water. Our food supplies included chicken, pork, meatballs, fresh vegetables, and rice (1 kg of jasmine rice can feed 6-7 people per meal). The sun was as intense as ever.

Around 11:10 AM, we set off from my uncle's house to the starting point of the hike. My uncle asked me to point out where I wanted to walk, as if he were picking mangoes to eat.

It's not just hot, it's scorching!

To ensure they were on the right track, Uncle Nu asked for directions from another local. On this trip, Brother Sam was in charge of the map, and he would constantly check with Uncle Nu to make sure they were going the right way.

After inquiring, they continued to the starting point.

The journey begins around 11:30 AM. It is essential to bring water, snacks, and food supplies, as there are no water sources on the mountain. The hiking distance is approximately 3 kilometers.

The initial section is a bamboo forest, which has already begun to turn yellow. After the leaves fall, wildfires are likely to follow soon.

The initial section is quite steep.

The initial stage involves traversing the Phragmites karka grasslands.

After traversing the scorching rocks, the valley floor emerges as a verdant expanse. Lush vegetation flourishes, and a gentle breeze ensures ample air circulation. This area is teeming with wild chickens.

The photo below shows Sam, a tough and resilient individual, who just arrived from India and joined the hike with Che right after landing.

Let's take a break and check our coordinates to make sure we're on the right track.

They have been using knives since they started walking to the valley.

Despite the uncertainty of their destination, the group maintained a cheerful and lively atmosphere. Among them was Sam, an avid traveler and expert on flora. During their first encounter on an exploratory trip to Khao Luang National Park in Nakhon Sawan, Sam's knowledge of plants, energetic demeanor, and engaging conversation made a lasting impression.

There were signs of logging in the past, but according to my uncle, it was 30-40 years ago.

In the picture below, the team is so hot that they are using cold powder to cool themselves down. They are also using a magical potion from the Angsay, which everyone on the trip has probably experienced. The Angsay father has been spraying it on everyone, getting it in their faces, eyes, and mouths. It's so cold that it reaches the pancreas and appendix.

After leaving the Huab Faek Valley, we descended into an unnamed valley. We followed a mountain ridge covered in dense bamboo thickets, which caused Uncle Nu to grumble about the dense vegetation.

During the conversation, Tan asked, "Hey, are we going to sleep in a hole tonight?" ......................hm..........high-pitched, key 2 is it like, "huh?"

The secretary took the initiative to explore the way, while the left-wing player, when his hand was gone, did not know what he was doing at the back of the line.

The secretary is exhausted. It's very hot.

The image below shows the base of the Liang Pha waterfall. The forest here belongs to the Queen Mother, so no one dares to hunt animals. Instead, they gather mushrooms and wild vegetables for food.

The rocks here are extremely sharp, scraping against your arms and legs. Thorns and thistles are abundant, making it feel like walking through a field of lavender.

Along the way, there are many caves that can be used as temporary shelters from the rain.

The cave is big enough for two people to take shelter from the rain.

We followed the map exactly. Uncle Nu was excellent, and Sam kept a close eye on the map throughout the journey.

From this point on, we started to descend into the bottom of the pit together. All the way down, we kept saying that if we got lost, we would get lost together.

This nameless pit or valley has never been explored, even by the locals. We asked Uncle Nu why he didn't go down, and he replied, "Who would dare to go down alone?"

The entrance to this valley is singular, as it is surrounded by limestone mountains with an abundance of moonflower trees and strangely shaped trees.

There is some climbing, which is quite exciting.

The rocks here have an unusual appearance, consisting of fragments of various sizes. This is likely due to the limestone composition, which has eroded over time.

Joining us on our first trip was Bell, who was quite reserved and disciplined. She took beautiful photos and slept separately from the group, leaving us wondering if she was keeping watch or simply annoyed by us.

Unable to achieve high speeds. Currently waiting for Uncle Saeng to improve the area. The ground is full of holes right now. Once we get past this mess, we'll encounter sharp rocks again.

The first feeling upon arrival is one of profound silence.

The dense, secluded valley was so quiet that it felt almost unnatural. The absence of any external sounds made us acutely aware of our own presence, like intruders in this pristine environment. Our footsteps echoed through the stillness, a stark reminder of our impact on this untouched wilderness.

The group reached the bottom of the valley around 4:20 PM. The only open space was unsuitable for camping, so they split up to find suitable locations. Chem, Mod, Pi Tem, and Gaem went together, while Uncle Nu and Bel went in another direction. The remaining members stayed behind to guard the luggage (it is unclear why they were guarding it, as there was no risk of theft from animals such as elephants or squirrels).

Let's talk about Mod, the secretary. She's a free spirit who enjoys hiking off the beaten path. She never complains about carrying heavy loads and always has her backpack ready with everything we need. Sometimes, when she's in a good mood, she even cooks for us. She's never shown any signs of selfishness, always picking up anything left behind in the communal pile. It's hard to tell if she's just frugal or genuinely kind-hearted.

The location is ideal and the best choice. On the right is a rock wall, in front is a thicket of thorny bamboo, and behind is the path we descended. If something happens, such as a wildfire, we can escape immediately.

Let me introduce Than, the dog who sits on the hammock. He can sleep anywhere, sitting or lying down. He wakes up and eats. He is a very good eater. If there is anything in his way, Than will eat it. We have met on two trips, starting from Khao Phitsadan. Than is easy to work with and helps with kitchen chores. Next, I will teach him how to cook in a field kitchen. I think he will be very good at it. He never complains about walking, whether it is hot, cold, steep, or itchy. He has only one mood: hungry. But on this trip, Than did a good deed by taking a picture of a very important snake.

It's time to cook. Phi Tem took care of cooking the rice. The rice is cooked perfectly and delicious.

The valley bottom is a relatively intact forest with large bamboo and trees that require two people to encircle. The soil is moist, and there are fresh droppings from animals such as goral. The variety of plant species indicates a healthy and diverse ecosystem, unlike the upper slopes, which are dominated by small bamboo and are more arid.

Ngsai cooked jungle curry and grilled chicken. Ngsai is a very skilled and delicious cook. She can cook all night long, making all kinds of dishes and snacks. She also keeps watch at night, tending the fire and guarding against danger. She doesn't sleep at night, patrolling the area around the accommodation.

This trip features a menu of grilled chicken, grilled pork with spicy dipping sauce, crispy-skinned pork belly grilled over low heat, stir-fried kale, jungle curry, tom yum soup, grilled meatballs, and fried sausages.

This trip was supported by Jinny, Tim, and Khun Pom in the kitchen.

Looks delicious, doesn't it?

Eating and talking with someone watching over us. Every time we turn around, we get startled. It's scary.

The picture shows a portion of grilled pork set aside for breakfast.

The morning started with preparing breakfast. We set off at 8:00 AM. Behind our sleeping area, we found two piles of sambar deer dung. The area also served as a bathroom. Each time we went to the bathroom, we came out covered in blood. Thorns tore at our arms, legs, stomachs, and buttocks. We were scratched and bruised like tigers. And of course, Antasine did not come down to distribute any more (sometimes I wonder if we are marketing Antasine).

This morning, Father inexplicably donned a suit and lit a fire. It seems he has a board meeting with the Ministry of Finance.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery. The morning view at the bottom of the valley is also good for the heart. It's strange to wake up to the view of the bottom of the valley.

A series of photos of the valley from Belle.

This morning, we made excellent time, finishing before 8:00 AM, which is unusual as we are typically an hour late. Before departing, we stopped to take fashion photos of the group in the thorny valley.

In the midst of taking a photo, something unexpected happened, leaving their teammates in awe. The situation escalated quickly, leading to an extraordinary outcome.

The story should have started from here, but we ended up listening to our uncle's story about a cave with water. We told our uncle that we wanted to see it, but he said that we wouldn't be able to keep up. However, to our surprise, we woke up early this morning, full of energy and ready to go. Let's go, uncle! Let's go caving!

Climbing since early morning

Let's go to the next hill and explore the cave to see if it really exists. Uncle Luang himself said that he had been there before, but he didn't dare to go down. He also told us that he could take us there, but he wouldn't go down for sure!!

Worked up a sweat early in the morning.

Images of organisms encountered by Neng Than and images of trees from Che.

The initial image of the snake was mistaken for a green pit viper. However, after posting the picture in a camping group, someone messaged me to clarify that...

Information from Mr. Nick Chomngam

This trip was not in vain. Our team found a local snake, found only in the province of Kanchanaburi in the whole world.

Group of Yellow-vented Bulbuls

The photograph was likely taken in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, as the snake pictured is the Kanburi pit viper (Trimeresurus kanburiensis).

This is a non-venomous snake that does not pose a significant threat. If bitten, it may cause localized swelling. The exact location of the photograph is unknown. It is important to note that this species is only found in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, specifically in limestone karst areas. Due to its limited distribution, conservation efforts are crucial. The nocturnal habits of this snake, typically emerging very late at night, make this sighting particularly fortunate.

The journey to the cave can be done on foot from the valley, or you can walk back the old way to the parking lot. We chose to walk to the car and drive to the foot of the mountain, leaving our belongings in the car and taking only water and a knife for agility.

The forest condition is exactly the same as the first day.

"Don't come down with me," the old man instructed us. "Go down carefully. I've prepared some wood for you in case you encounter any snakes."

Bel entered first, followed by Che, Laukhamut, and Phee Tem. The cave was not very wide, and the air was stifling, so they had to take turns going in.

The cave is filled with water, and it is unclear how far it extends. As I was measuring the water level, I heard Uncle Nu crawling in and asking if I had found water. He then came to take a look. I think he was curious to see it for himself, as he had heard about it but never been down here before. Today, his curiosity must have been satisfied.

Hey, it's the homeowner!

Our journey ends here. We have completed our planned route, but there are still many areas in this mountain range to explore. Stay tuned for our next adventure! Thank you all.