fm2002;271389 wrote: So your'e saying that the turn down(south)or (at the bottom of the hill,about 100 meters after the petrol station there is a temple) is before you get to Thoum ? Second after you make this turn I believe you would be headed south not east toward the the town called Viang Lang. Than you head east toward Xaysomboune. Does this make sense ? Lastly, the town of Tha Viang you refer to; I don't see this on the GT Rider map ???
Thanks for your help
FYI, Tha Vieng = Vieng Lang
I came down Hwy 10 in May, Moung Khoune to Paksan, with one night at Tha Thom. FYI, the rains had just started then. Note, the initial portions of the road were great, wide sweeping curves, etc, beautiful, and will be nice when it's finally finished and paved all the way. But, and this is a big BUT, it's not finished, and it's been raining!
First potential problem might be a monster mud hole we encountered at N19-36-11 x E103-06-56. Only one loaded logging truck headed north there at the time. Another logging truck, empty, tried to pull it out, no joy. Then a road grader showed up, he also couldn't do it, but since there were by then a few more vehicles backed up wanting to head south, with us in front, he was kind enough to rough out a bypass, which we took. FYI, the next morning at breakfast on down the line at Tha Thom, we heard that there were now forty (40) log trucks back up there wanting to head north, eventually to Vietnam, I suppose.
Next problem for you in a pickup will be at Vieng Lang where it's necessary to cross the river to get west to Xaysomboun. The bridge there, N19-13-11 x E103-21-22, is for people and motorcycles ONLY. 4-wheelers and up must use ford the river but with the rains, I expect that'd be impossible right now. Last time I tried this was early December 2009 and the current was just to strong over in the channel on the west side to try. Our drive waded across to check. In any case, even in the dry, might have a problem heading west; a couple of the motorcycle guys were stopped at an army checkpoint just west of the bridge a few months back, and were turned around. I guess it's sometimes possible to go through, sometimes not.
Last real problem would probably be at a ford just south of Tha Thom, assuming that is, that you don't make the trip west to Xaysomboun. There's a new bridge still a-building at N18-59-9 x N103-36-26, with a ford across the river close by. There was (remember, this was back in May) a pretty good mudhole before the ford but we made it through that OK to the bank of the river. Our drive waded across to check the channel on the east side, came back looking not so happy, fairly deep and fast, sez he. As we weren't looking forward to a drive all the way back to Phonsavanh, even if we didn't get stuck at the mudhole to the north, I suggested he ask one of the empty log trucks there at the mudhole near the ford if they'd tow us across. One said OK, and did the deed, kip 100,000, which I thought was quite fine. From this point on, only one small ford, small in May, and on to Paksane and Vientiane.
I'll be up to Phonsavanh in October and will be asking about that route to Paksane, would like to do it again, but in the dry, I expect.
Will also be up to Xaysomboun end of this month, hopefully, as with the late July rains, the road from Tha Bok to Longsan and on to Thong Koune has had landslides and at least one bridge severely damaged. Understand, tho, that the Phu Bia Mine ore trucks are running again, so should be doable.
So, if you do try the route south of Moung Khoune, would appreciate an update when you get through....
Thanyaburi Mac
