A Facebook message from a friend popped up in my inbox asking if anyone was interested in conquering Doi Pha Ti Doi-Mue Ka Do. Without a moment's hesitation, I typed back, "Count me in," despite not knowing the travel date or any other details.

The reputation of Yod, which means "Grand Uncle" or "Grand Aunt" in the Karen language (with "Patee" meaning "uncle," "Mueka" meaning "aunt," and "Doh" meaning "big"), has long been known for its beauty and ferocity. Now that the opportunity has presented itself, it must be seized.

Nestled at the juncture of Mae Saek sub-district, Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai province, and Mae Yuam Noi sub-district, Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son province, lies the majestic mountain range of Pha Ti Do - Mue Ka Do. While the peak itself falls within the geographical boundaries of Mae Hong Son, the access road leading to it is situated in Chiang Mai.

The first paragraph describes a trip taken during the Mother's Day holiday with over 30 friends. The name of the destination, "Phato-Muka," is mentioned as being particularly enticing for those who enjoy adventure. Due to the large group size, the trip was planned as a package tour for convenience.

The second paragraph is incomplete and only contains a single word, "1," within a centered paragraph tag.

The assembly point is at the Arcade Bus Terminal in Chiang Mai. We have arranged three red taxis to take us to Ban Pang Ung, Mae Chaem District (different from Pang Ung in Mae Hong Son). The route is as follows: from Chiang Mai city, head south through Hang Dong, San Pa Tong, Doi Lo, enter Chom Thong, turn right onto Doi Inthanon, and when you reach checkpoint 2 (9 km before the summit), turn left and head down to Mae Chaem. Those who have been to Doi Inthanon will know what I mean.

The ascent to Doi Inthanon is not particularly challenging, but the road from Doi Inthanon to Mae Chaem is truly a test of endurance, especially for those traveling by red truck. The winding roads and steep inclines can leave passengers feeling nauseous and disoriented. I myself experienced this discomfort firsthand. (Laughter...)

The journey from Chiang Mai to Ban Pang Ung took approximately seven hours, despite being within the same province. The travelers departed at 8:30 AM, made two stops for meals, and another brief stop at a gas station. They finally arrived at their destination at 3:30 PM.

Upon reaching Ban Pang Ung, the designated meeting point is the checkpoint opposite Ban Pang Ung School. Here, we will transfer from the red car to a local pickup truck that will take us to the starting point of the hike, approximately eight kilometers away. The route is a dirt road that traverses agricultural land and can become quite muddy during the rainy season.

The checkpoint at Ban Pang Ung is located in Mae Saek sub-district, Mae Chaem district. However, after driving for about half the distance, you will enter Mae Yuam Noi sub-district, Khun Yuam district, with Doi Pha Ti Do standing prominently in front of you.

This sign serves as evidence that we have left Chiang Mai and entered Mae Hong Son.

After a bumpy ride, the car got stuck in a deep rut. We had to push it for an hour before we could start hiking. Looking at my watch, it was 4:50 PM. I realized that we would definitely be hiking at night, so I got my flashlight ready.

With backpacks packed and supplies distributed, we set off on our journey at nearly half past five. The summit of Mount Phathi Do was visible in the distance, looming above us. The path was steep, with occasional stretches of flat ground that offered brief moments of respite. Dense vegetation lined both sides of the trail.

The sky darkened quickly, so we put away our cameras and grabbed our flashlights. We followed the faint light ahead, grateful that the path was relatively clear. There were a few forks in the road, but we knew we would eventually converge on the same path.

I walked in the middle of the group. I arrived at the campsite around 8 pm. It only took two and a half hours to walk, a distance of about two kilometers. It wasn't far at all, as the path from Patee Doh is considered closer and easier than the path from Moo Ga Doh.

Upon arrival, we swiftly set up camp, pitching tents and hammocks. This spot was suitable for both types of accommodation. We then proceeded to prepare dinner, cooking rice for a group of 30. It was no small feat, and dinner wasn't ready until almost 11 pm. (Laughter...)

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(2)

The morning mist and intermittent drizzle made it difficult to get out of bed. It wasn't until after 10:00 am that I finally mustered the energy to climb to the top of Mount Phatido.

The distance from the camp to the summit is not far, only one kilometer. However, the steepness is as shown in the picture, which is an up-and-up climb along the ridge. In addition to being tiring, it is also quite scary.

The weather is windy, with occasional patches of fog. The sky is partly cloudy, making for a refreshing atmosphere. Fortunately, despite the appearance, it is not raining.

The final stretch before reaching the summit was extremely challenging. The steep, loose soil and loose rocks made it very slippery and prone to falls.

And finally, we reached the summit. The pristine white view was truly breathtaking (sarcasm intended!).

No worries, it's our trip, so there's no need to rush. We'll just wait and see if the fog will clear and the sky will open up. Oh, what you see faintly in the distance is a mountain that we can see from the top of Pha Ti Doi. A friend in the group who has been here before named it "Doi Dib Dee," which is just a playful name, not the real name. You can walk there, but the path is a ridge, so you have to be very careful. So, for safety reasons, I'll just admire it from here.

When our patience finally snaps, there's no need for words. Just unleash the shutter.

After a hearty lunch, we descended from the summit of Phato Peak. The descent was significantly more challenging than the ascent, with loose soil causing us to slide and grip for support.

Despite the challenges, everyone made it safely to the camp. After finding food and settling in, we set off again at 2:30 pm for Doi Mue Ka Do, a distance of about four kilometers. However, it felt much longer than that.

The journey from Pattido to Mu Ga Do requires traversing numerous steep and challenging hills. The path is narrow and treacherous, with steep descents and ascents. The terrain is rocky and uneven, demanding careful navigation to avoid falls. The challenging route tests the endurance and skill of even experienced hikers.

Although the thick fog covered most of the journey, it was something we had anticipated as we chose to travel during the rainy season. It's safe to say that if the sky had been clear, the thrill would have been multiplied.

After an arduous climb, we finally reached the summit of Mount Kado, 1,927 meters above sea level, just in time for the evening flag ceremony. The climb was grueling, with each ten or twenty meters feeling like an eternity. Mount Kado is slightly higher than Mount Patee Doh.

Upon arrival, the sky was completely white, and nothing was visible. However, after taking some photos, it seemed as if luck was on our side. Although the sky did not clear completely, as it did in Phatthalung, we were able to see some of the scenery below. The atmosphere was heavenly, and it was a truly heartwarming experience.

After taking some more photos, we continued our descent for about 300-400 meters until we reached the campsite. It was located on a ridge suitable only for pitching tents, as there were only a few trees available for hanging hammocks.

We set up camp, cooked rice, and ate dinner a little earlier than yesterday, around 9 pm. Before going our separate ways, we took some personal time to relax and unwind from the day's activities.

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(3)

The morning at Doi Mon Jong was shrouded in thick fog, obscuring the sunrise. My plan to hike back to the summit for another photo shoot was dashed. While I can't say it was the most beautiful view, the fog did create a unique and ethereal atmosphere. (Haha...)

We finished off the remaining supplies by eating them all, then packed up camp and started our descent around 10:30 AM, while the fog was still thick.

Descending gradually until it was below the clouds, revealing glimpses of lush greenery during the rainy season, offering a refreshing respite.

The descent was as brutal as the ascent, with the slippery terrain demanding utmost caution. After an hour and a half, we finally reached the flat ground below, but the relief was short-lived. The path was damp and mossy, causing several of us to lose our footing and fall. Despite the temptation, I decided to keep my camera safely tucked away in my pocket, fearing a potential mishap. (Laughter...)

As I descended the mountain and looked back, the peak of Mount Muka Do was no longer visible from this angle. Farewell, dear aunt. It was a true pleasure to visit.

The pick-up point at 12:30 is at Ban Mae La Ka, Khun Yuam District. From there, we will take the same route back, passing the Pha Ti Doi trailhead and entering Mae Saek Subdistrict, Mae Chaem District.

However, the harshness of the trip did not end there. Due to the heavy rain throughout our stay on the mountain, the already bad road became even more muddy. Almost every car got stuck in the mud, and we had to help each other push, pull, and shake the cars until we were exhausted before we could reach the checkpoint at Ban Pang Ung.

From there, we boarded three red trucks and embarked on a winding, nausea-inducing journey up Doi Inthanon. We returned to Chiang Mai and parted ways, each heading home. Thus concluded our arduous and unforgettable trip.

If anyone asks me after this which hiking trip was the most enjoyable, I have a new answer ready.

Information

• Currently, the tourism is managed by the villagers. Due to the fact that it is a personal phone number, I will not post it here. If you are interested, you can send a private message to www.facebook.com/alifeatraveller
• You can walk both ways: up from Pa Ti Do, down from Mu Ga Do, or up from Mu Ga Do, down from Pa Ti Do.
• It is more suitable for camping than hammock.
• No need to ask for a bathroom, there is definitely none.
• There is a water source on the mountain (porters can get it for you), but if you want to drink it, you should filter or boil it first.
• There are some leeches, but not many.
• People who come here should have some experience, not suitable for completely new and inexperienced people, and not suitable for people with chronic diseases or fear of heights.
• If you are ready to test your limits, go for it. It is difficult, but not so difficult that you have to beg for your life. It is tough, but not so tough that you wonder if you will die. With a little effort, you can conquer it.
• Red car charter round trip Chiang Mai-Ban Pang Ung 4,500 baht per car.
• Pickup truck charter pick-up and drop-off at the starting and ending points 2,000 baht per car.
• Porter and guide 1,500 baht per person.

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Expenses

• Red truck roundtrip from Chiang Mai to Ban Pang Ung: 4,500 baht per vehicle
• Pickup truck roundtrip to the starting point of the hike: 2,000 baht per vehicle
• Porter and guide: 1,500 baht per person

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