Wet Season No Plans Tour - Southern Laos Jun - Jul 2013

[jimboy]

Great ride report. Loved the mud and the bridges and the waterfalls. What a blast. Hat's off to you two. Some of that stuff wasn't exactly a picnic. Makes one want to leap on the bike and head for Lao...

 

[Oddvar]

Amazing ride and report, thanks for sharing..

 

[King of Jars]

Sekong to Saravan the long way round.

Rex showed me this route a year and a half back

Thanks Brian for this epic report.

I might have to do a road survey for some heavy cargo into that area (some 60 kms east of Salavan into a place called Kaleum from where it is another 5 kms) - all along Road 5701 as per the following

//www.ticino.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/5701.jpg[/img]

Yep, I know, its 15 months ago but do you happen to remember having driven said road - or at least a part of it?

Told the client to wait until end of the rainy season as it is impossible to move with a 55 tons piece across soggy Ho Chi Minh trail.

 

[Javawa]

Ticino;301527 wrote:

Sekong to Saravan the long way round.

Thanks Brian for this epic report.

I might have to do a road survey for some heavy cargo into that area (some 60 kms east of Salavan into a place called Kaleum from where it is another 5 kms) - all along Road 5701 as per the following

//www.ticino.co.th/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/5701.jpg[/img]

Yep, I know, its 15 months ago but do you happen to remember having driven said road - or at least a part of it?

Told the client to wait until end of the rainy season as it is impossible to move with a 55 tons piece across soggy Ho Chi Minh trail.

Not sure which Kaleum you need to go to - the old Kaleum which is a bit south-east of the coal mine or the new Kaleum which is located near Ban Vak more to the east. In case you need to go to the old Kaleum it will be better to take the new unpaved road (road 6903) which starts just before Ta-Oi on Rd. 15B (Rd. 15B is all paved) to the coal mine and from there about 7 km. north-west to Kaleum (quite steep and narrow track).

For the new Kaleum you head east from Sekong along Rd 16 to Dakcheung and then head northwest to Kaleum along Rd. 7518.

 

[brian_bkk]

Sad to say.. But this track is pretty much ruined now... All in the name of progress.

Nothing left of the trail.. Only the last big bridge crossing.

In excellent condition.. Easily ride across.
Extra secure with steel wire, as well as hand rails and extra wiring as you go across.
Check out the vid and pics form 19 months ago compared to these !!

All the rest is graded road.. .Beats the pavement.. only just...

Cheers
Brian