After waking up in the roof top tent early as the sun started to rise, the morning felt as cold as the night. Luckily we planned ahead and saved a portion of the collected firewood for the morning. Prioritising this first, meant we warmed up quickly.
If you would like to read what happened on the first day and how we got here, then the post is linked below:
https://hive.blog/hive-163772/@thinkit/4x4-camping-adventure-mountain-views-from-a-roof-top-tent-central-thailand-doi-tua-peng
Checking Google Maps showed a possible route up to the cliff top which I assumed would offer even better views and catch our campsite from above. It meant a short hike and basic climb but nothing further than a couple of kilometers.
Not having to worry about the truck or any of our camping gear simply because no one was around, we set off on the short hike. The trail started off pretty much the same as the 4x4 track we drove up the day before but quickly turned to a single trekking track and a scramble as we approached the rock stack.
Even though it was our first time here, our dog acted as if she knew exactly where to go. Always 20 meters in front, all we had to do was follow her!
The short climb brought us to the peak, a flat top of short scrub, rocks and sandy soil but with views in every direction.
From the edge of the rocky outcrop we could see everything, even the campsite we stayed the night before. Looking carefully you can see the truck parked up in the grass field below.
In total, the hike up and back was only 3 kilometers and was recorded on Strava. Max altitude showed an elevation of 1,436 meters. Although not that high, it is certainly enough to drop the temperature down to single figures at night!
On the walk back down we noticed a strange structure on another ridge. An overgrown grassy footpath led us to an old viewpoint tower. Upon arrival, we could see that it had seen better days but were thankful the views were still just as amazing and were without huge crowds like many other viewpoint attractions around Thailand.
Not only did this viewing tower offer the similar views as we had woken up with but it also opened up the views to the west across the farmland that we had originally driven up.
As we walked back to the truck we took a look back up to where we had just hiked. The sun was much higher in the sky and we were feeling much warmer. We set up our camp table for breakfast, turned on the gas, mixed up some flour, eggs and milk and cooked some pancakes. Fortunately one of the things we did buy in the market on the drive in were strawberries, perfect for any camping breakfast!
As we sat around our dying morning fire enjoying the last warmth from the hot coals, a morning visitor walked by! In no rush he simply stopped and stared, wondering what we were doing.
Not because we were tired but just because the view was so spectacular, we had one last sit down in the tent out of the morning wind to enjoy the view from the front opening.
Once we had packed up it was time to engage 4WD again and take on all of the same obstacles as we did the day before. Going down was a little easier and this time we always knew what to expect around the next corner with fewer things to worry about!
Finally we left the rutted out forest and were back onto the farm tracks. Heading down the mountain meant we had a morning drive with great views in front of us - something we had not noticed on the way up.
Definitely a place to return to. Note to self - bring more supplies and stay long!
All content is original: the photos, the writing and the adventure!
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