Rose in Thailand: Phukradueng Mountain

Mountain climbing at Phukradueng National Park

In early December I went on a 4 day trip with 6 teachers and 60 senior students to climb the highest mountain in Thailand.

It was a fun and challenging weekend. My body was taxed to the max... close to 4 days with almost no sleep and very steep climb up and down the mountain!

The first night we left from school at midnight for an all night ride to Phukradueng National Park… as we boarded the old fashioned school bus I noticed it had a video screen at the front…so they could play Thai music videos! Not much sleeping on the bus!

Arriving around 8am at the park, I found a toilet and a coffee…the little things that are so important.

Then we began the climb...a very difficult steep mountain climb...maybe that could be the reason many of the teachers kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to go.

Of course I thought I was in pretty good physical shape and began with great enthusiasm.

My newly purchased small back-pack seemed light enough as we started, however it gradually seemed to get heaver as we climbed.

It took me over 6 hours to get to the top…but with a great deal of encouragement from the students, lots of water and a few rest stops...

I finally made it to the top and the students were so proud of me.

I would not have made it without them cheering me on.

I think I was almost the last one up to the top.

When we got to the top every part of my body ached.

Then as we set up the tents we found out our reserved bedding was gone…It was a holiday weekend, the Kings Birthday, so they were over sold.

Sleeping on the cold hard ground without a sleeping bag and no blankets, and only a light jacket was not in the original plan.

I froze and my legs kept cramping from the cold and damp weather on the top of the mountain.

But as always, something wonderful happened…

I got up to go to the outdoor toilet and only about two feet from me was a real reindeer.

Luckily I had my i-phone camera… photo a bit dim, but I did not want to try a flash.

The next day I decided to do a shorter hike around the top…

I wanted to see the waterfall and the Buddha.

Of course there is one on the top of the mountain… its Thailand!

Also I got back to camp early and got sleeping bags for a much more comfortable night before the decent down the mountain.

Thank goodness we had a day in between and refreshed I carefully began… hundreds of steep steps, ladders and rocks later… resting less frequently, I made it down with the first group! Happily we all laughed, sang and danced…even had time to shop and I bought a t-shirt as a souvenir that I really had conquered Phukradueng Mountain.

Then another eight hour bus trip back to school riding with 60 singing (in Thai) high school seniors!!! Even they were exhausted, but still dancing in the aisles of the bus. I was happy to have a hot shower and a warm bed.

Phu Kradueng National Park, covers an area of 348.12 Kilometers with 60 Kilometers of a vast plateau on the top of mountain. The highest peak is 1,316m above sea level. (4,317 feet)

In general, Phu Kradueng is the sandstone mountain consisting of an abundance of flora and fauna and the fullness of cliffs, savanna, streams and waterfalls.