The route 1194

Total distance 148 km

The start of todays new track at Mae Sam Laep, I noticed fuel sold here from the hand pumps

I am told at the harbour that I can ride to Tha Ta Fang then on to Mae Sakoep

Its a paved road from the harbour to start with then the road turns to dirt at N.17.59.054 E097.44.308





Not far in and a cloud of smoke greets me

But its only rubbish being burnt here

Its a relatively easy going dirt track today

Across the Salawin in Burma and a reasonable sized land slip by the look of it









All of a sudden a guy appears from out of the trees then crosses the road and disappears again

The track now turns inland a bit and I am riding along one of the tributaries of the Salawin





Now for my first water crossing of the day







Theres a few homes on the other side of the water







Peering through the trees I can see a boat and I am looking for a way down to the riverside for some better photos but its too steep to get down without falling, then getting back up would be a big problem

Further along I spot a mother with her sons down on the river bank so here I manage to climb down okay





Now if I can manage to get out there I will be out in the middle of the Salawin













I make it out to the middle on the rocks



Looking up to where the water level rises to and its got to be about 25 metres higher in the wet season

Where the river has narrowed so much its a very fast current indeed and sod falling in there



Boats travelling downstream motor through here



This one going upstream really slows down here

Although the boats engine note doesnt change at this point the boat almost appeared to be stopped as the current was so strong









A couple of very minor water crossing along the way



Free drinking water is available here





The weather is so much clearer today and so are the photos, while I am happy about this I am pissed off about the last three days new forays not having the same visibility, especially yesterdays ride to the confluence.
I will try to get there again in march for another look



The NP at Tha Ta Fang







My main water crossing today to ride into Tha Ta Fang





Fuel is available here in bottles at N.18.04.459 E097.41.461

























The soldier here tells me that the high water level is above those sandbags and is 30 metres above its current level







I ask which way to Mae Sakoep but here I am told theres no track and I can only get there by boat



I have rode from Mae Sariang to here before on the Phantom and remember the difficulty in getting back through a water crossing, the KLX would be more difficult through that water because of its seat height and as I am alone I decide to ride back the way I left as I know there are no pitfalls awaiting me

On the way back and the ice cream man is stopped here



Suddenly theres vehicles galore passing through here



A 5 Baht treat that is much appreciated on this hot days ride

Nearing Mae Sam Laep and what a fun days ride exploring a new track, sadly I need to leave tomorrow as my visa expires on monday but I hope to get back here for some more exploring next month

Back on the 1194 and these buffaloes are relaxing

A new restaurant tonight, this is Mae Sariangs other Moukata at N18.09.048 E097.56.251





The usual food here

Includes ice cream for 129 Baht

You can get the gdb file from my website here … http://www.captainslash.com