Thailand Mountain Trail - TMT

My friend Sebastien Bertrand an Ultra Runner, whom currently resides in Chiang Mai is organising a trail running project in northern Thailand.

It’s a pity that it clash with my TNF Hong Kong race, it would have been a great seven days adventure for me. I am always looking for reason to return to Chiang Mai, this was one of it.

Details of inaugural Thailand Mountain Trail (TMT) as folow:-

So far, Sebastien managed to map down 4 out of the 7 stages of the trail route. He will constantly update the rest at TMT FB page.

Dates: 9th to 15th December 2013

Distance and elevations: 330k and 16.000m+ in one week.

 

1st stage is Chiang Mai - Ban Mae Kha

39km and 2880m+ in one day.

The track goes first on Doi Pui mountain. Through a good and wild footpath used also by MTB it crosses a Hmong village before reaching the summit. Doi Pui is the highest mountain around Chiang Mai: 1668m. After crossing the ridge also called "Buddha foot print" because of its shape the track goes down to Mae Sa "orchid" valley. Then it should go to Mae Kha which is a very pretty Karen village surrounded by rice fields and terraces.

We've been able to register the track from Chiang Mai to Mae Sa, thanks to James Pratt recorded GPS track. But we still need to find a single track from Mae Sa to Mae Kha. Until now we have only found a track which goes on dirt roads. We want to use mainly hiking trails, we still need to investigate the area!

 

2nd stage is Ban Mae Kha - Sop Kai

43mk and 2300m+ in one day.

It is a forecast because we have not been able to find a local person to show the track yet. We have been several times to the main villages on the way but nobody knew it. It's a part of the adventure and it will be a tough target to find the way. Fortunately it seams there's one and some people might know. Hope they are not too old or dead! We will find them.

The track goes through remote areas and villages. First point of interest is Wat Phrabat Si Roi well known for its budddha footprint. Then we will cross Pha Taek and Pha Daeng two small Karen villages in a wonderful valley surrounded by rice fields, terraces and waterfalls (Mok Fa). The arrival village is Sop Kai located on Mae Taeng well known for its wild river.

 

3rd Stage: Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai

57km. 3,070m + / 2,680m -

This 3rd stage will be one of the longest of the week. It starts from Sop Kai. After going through many small villages of different hill tribes (Akha, Lisu, Karen) and passed mountains, rice fields, bamboos and pine forests, we will arrive in Pakhia. It's a Hmong village just at the foot of the prettiest Thai mountain Doi Chiang Dao. The track goes steep and wild to a pass before going down to Na Lao Mai a Lisu village. Then we will enter a new remote valley surrounded by green mountains and rocks. The last part of the stage will be wild in the jungle before reaching Mae Cha where wew will spend the night.

 

4th stage is Mae Cha - Pha Daeng

47km and 2100m+ in one day.

The 4th stage will see our group reaching the border with Myanmar. Going north for already 3 stages and more than 120k we will continue our way up before turning off east and north alongside the border. The landscape and atmosphere will change mainly in this long stage.

After a first big part going down or flat we will go up steep. Starting with jungle we will reach and discover the wonderful high evergreen mountains of the north at the end of our long day. Leaving Lisu-tribe village Mae Cha we will enjoy a down-flat run most appreciated by our legs after the high mountains in Doi Chiang Dao. Running in the valley and alongside Mae Ping the main river in the north (the one that runs in Chiang Mai) will allow us to see a wild and humid wildlife. We will go through butterfly clouds and will pass a dense jungle before reaching Ling Luang and find the mountains back. This part is one my favorite, the atmosphere there is different and wild. The last steep part at the end of the day will be tough after 40k. We will reach Pha Daeng a village created by Chinese Chiang Kai Chek fighters after being defeated by Communists.

Interested? Follow the TMT FB page for more information and updates. Say hi to Sebastien for me if you found yourself doing the TMT this December.