Sangkhla Buri to Umphang, 2 day ride through the jungle...

[TonyBKK]

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Awesome! Too cool that your guide did this on a Wave!

[Rhodie]

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Just met up with Jack in S'buri.

What he had thought were just two mad farangs
wanting to go to Mae Sot the hard way has turned into
bikers calling the GH he used to work at.

He tells me he is willing to guide those interested in making this trip.
But it is for him, a 4 day trip, so he is looking for a modest payment
for his services and costs.

For those wanting to make this ride without him
using only GPS tracks could turn out to be a foolish 'saving'.

Those interested can reach him on 0854254434.
Or by email on jarunsaksri1@gmail.com.
But phone would be best.

[daewoo]

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Noice work sorting that out Rhodie,

Great work Mike and Rob...

just one thing...

Wipe-out! There is some seriously steep parts just before Peung Kleung




Mike

It seems to me that the Wave seems particularly upright in comparison to the big tough farrang dirt bikes... what's the story

Great work, and great report,

Daewoo

[mikehohman]

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After taking another look at the photo, I believe Daewoo’s comment is accurate. That Honda Wave does seem quite upright...

As I recall, when Jack arrived on the scene, he said:

"Silly Falangs. Jungle tracks are for Karen on scooters!"

Actually, I think he set us up. He had been leading all morning, but at the bottom of the hill, he said "Uh, this part is a little steep, why don't you go ahead...?" Some cruel joke between him and the raftman....

In all seriousness, Jack was most excellent! After wiping-out, both he and the raftman helped us get the bikes upright and around the tight steep parts and back on the trail in the right direction. It's only 20-25 km from the river to Beung Kleung, but even Jack did insist on taking the raftman with him, saying that he could never make it back to the river alone...

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Thanks everyone for all your nice comments. Much appreciated!! I am really thrilled that I was able to make this adventure, and still a little surprised it worked out… Not possible without Rob, Jack, Rhodie, and a lot of dumb luck and good timing.

I actually met Jack myself before meeting Rhodie. I went to Sangkhla Buri for the first time in December...(see photos here: http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-mot...ack-t6808.html)... to enjoy the area and see what I could find out about the journey to Umphang. I was having a drink at the P Guesthouse, when I went out to the parking lot to get something off my KLX. And there was Jack, sitting on it!

So, we got to talking, and one thing led to another, and the topic of Umphang came up. He said he had traveled that way before, and that there was a group of Thais that had come up last season to ride the area (and were coming again at New Years). He showed me some photos and vids on the net and said he would love to go on the ride sometime. Jack's a real offroad enthusiast, and he actually went and got his dirt bike to show me. Here is a photo: It’s a 1987 2-stroke Kawasaki…



So, we planned a trip for late January, but my dirtbike friend David (“Dirty” from this board) had gone back to the States, so I didn’t have a friend to go with. This seemed like a trip not to make alone. So, now for the 2nd piece of good luck: A couple weeks after getting back to Bangkok, Rhodie contacted me in response to my post on GT-Rider about the first trip. So then we got to talking about the trip to Umphang, he had met Jack as well several months before, and he agreed that it would be better to get a small group together. Well, Rhodie seems to know every rider in Thailand, and he suggested I come along to the KTM Launch at Central World in late January. There he could introduce me to some people keen to make the trip.

So, off I went to Central World to meet Rhodie. 3rd piece of good luck: After a while Rob showed up, Rhodie introduced us, and mentioned the trip. Rob has something like 20 years experience offroad riding throughout Asia, reminds you of MacGyver, and is 6 foot 5. Clearly, the ideal riding buddy… I asked Rob if he were interested, and I believe the conversation went something like this:

M: Hey, would you like to try a trip from Sangkhla Buri up to Umphang? I got a guide…

R: The missing link? Yes.

M: When can you go?

R: Anytime, just tell me when…

Rob’s friend Joe had arrived from Hawaii, and they planned a trip to Cambodia for early Feb, so we decided on the weekend of Feb 12-13 to head to Sangkhla. All was set, but then I came down with Dengue Fever (not recommended, very painful) and was in the hospital for several days. I couldn’t join, so Rob and Joe set off without me, but (4th piece of luck, for me anyway!) were turned around at the Forest Checkpoint outside Ban Sane Pong. So back to Bangkok/Pattaya they came. Rob called, explained the permissions we needed, and asked if I could join on the 19th for another try (Joe was heading to Laos). Feeling better from the Dengue, I said sure, and on Thursday, wrote up a letter requesting entry to the Wildlife Sanctuary. I got it translated into Thai, and then on Friday, Rob tracked down the right people to issue our permission slip. (5th piece of luck, I sure wasn’t expecting to get the paper – we spoke with the office and were told emphatically that it takes 2 weeks, and anyway the “boss” is on holiday).

I sent an SMS to Jack on Friday morning, but didn’t hear from him until we arrived in Sangkhla Friday night. We were not sure if he could come, since his bike was broken, but he came down to the guesthouse with his wife, and said he would come along, on the Honda Wave. The 6th piece of luck, as Rob and I would have gotten hopelessly lost in there…

The stars really aligned on this one….in a haphazard kind of way… good to have this board to share our experiences and meet each other...

[burnjr]

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A great report there Mike and some brilliant pictures

[BignTall]

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Mike,

I did a couple rides with Dirty when he was here. This was after his leg fracture and knee problems.



Sorry to see him head back to the states. He would of loved this ride I'm sure!!!

Glad to see the good luck show itself for you on this ride. I'll be back over in April and around for awhile if you'd like to hook up and explore.

Once again a fantastic ride report !![/img]

[Rhodie]

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Robert has posted his version on ADV,
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...8#post12312158

[mikehohman]

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Mike,

I did a couple rides with Dirty when he was here. This was after his leg fracture and knee problems.

Sorry to see him head back to the states. He would of loved this ride I'm sure!!!

Glad to see the good luck show itself for you on this ride. I'll be back over in April and around for awhile if you'd like to hook up and explore.

Once again a fantastic ride report !![/img]

Hey BignTall, Dirty will be back this summer I think. He's just gone back to get educated.... Thailand is under his skin now, he can't stay away too long. He wants to try this ride in June, but I think it might be too wet by then...

April, on the other hand, is a good month for me. Long weekend around April 6, Chakri Day, and might be able get 10 days at Songkran, although that is not the best time to ride.

I am still working for a living, here in Bangkok.... Alas.

Thanks for your kind words! This trip was pretty damn good....

Mike

[helbob]

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A good tour, i hope i have time to go this area on my next holyday

[Rhodie]

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Hot from the press is this superbly illustrated tome which attests to Mike & Robert's achievement.



you can view Mike's work online and those who are feeling a little flush can order a copy as well

http://www.blurb.com/books/1601197

I notice the approving comments of the GTR FL are quoted on the back cover.




Again well done Mike for putting this together, a worthy testament to a great trip.
Also, to Mike's skills with his trusty PowerShot S90 and Lightroom.
Note, Robert has contributed a number of great images to this work as well.

Jack who rode with Mike & Robert tells me the track should be rideable sometime in November.
You contact him on the number & email posted earlier.

[Davidfl]

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Hot from the press is this superbly illustrated tome which attests to Mike & Robert's achievement.



you can view Mike's work online and those who are feeling a little flush can order a copy as well

http://www.blurb.com/books/1601197

I notice the approving comments of the GTR FL are quoted on the back cover.




Again well done Mike for putting this together, a worthy testament to a great trip.
Also, to Mike's skills with his trusty PowerShot S90 and Lightroom.
Note, Robert has contributed a number of great images to this work as well.

Looks like a good buy. I'll be getting one.
Thanks for the tip-off Rhodie.

[danwhite]

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The shot captioned "On the road from Umphang to Mae Sot. A village nestled in a valley. This road is truly one of the world's most majectic highways." is truly superb.

[Jurgen]

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Wouah! Great stuff, great adventure and wonderful pictures. I can not believe that such trails exist so near to home. There are still jungle paths around here, in addition to our splendid mountain "highway" escapes.

[a-tecracing]

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this was indeed a great story, we all have a duty to support the areas used for our own enjoyment by supporting the locals


The real story of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary and Huay Kha khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary is plight of the Klity Lang villagers.

Local mining company Lead Concentrate Co buried the ore tailings from its mining venture, which closed in 1999. Tests of the water supply showed the ore contaminated Klity Creek, causing many residents to fall ill.The company buried the tailings at sites about 10 metres away from the creek, the main water source of the village's residents. Many villagers developed symptoms of lead poisoning.
What might be of greater concern to a many Thai people and Kanchanaburi Tourists is the water running through the Klity creek feeds the Sii Nakharin Reservoir.

The tragedy was first made public 13 years ago after a large number of these ethnic-Karen villagers fell sick and died from a mysterious illness and an unusually high percentage of newborns were found to be physically or mentally handicapped. The culprit was thought to be a nearby lead mine whose owner was accused of releasing untreated toxic waste directly into Klity creek, the village's main source of water. The stream was found to contain a layer of dangerously contaminated sediment which the relevant authorities have refused to remove, reasoning that to disturb it would only spread the poison more widely. While villagers have received treatment for superficial symptoms of ill-health, officials have refused to link the rash of cases to lead poisoning.
Claiming that their plight has been deliberately ignored because of racial prejudice, the Klity villagers sought redress from the courts, enlisting the help of several human rights groups.( www. Karenhilltribes.org.uk ) They recently won the first leg of their legal action, but it will take years, perhaps even decades, for their case to reach the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, they have to continue living in a highly toxic environment.
The Department of Water Resources has been in charge of constructing the two check dams with a budget of 5.5 million baht to collect sediment. The project is expected to complete by the end of the dry season.

Surapol Kongchanthuek, director of the Karen Studies and Development Centre who was also a member of the department's committee to solve pollution problems in the creek, said he was disappointed by the delay in rehabilitation projects.

Surachai "Nga" Chantimatorn ( Nga Caravan )gave a series of three "Heart to Heart" concerts at Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre to raise money for victims of lead poisoning in Klity Lang village.

Through our adventure tours, bringing visitors to Kanchanaburi Province we want to support these people and show their plight is not being ignored.