Yen Bai To climb Ta Chi Nhu, you must cut all your toenails, buy a walking stick and have a pair of climbing shoes with good grip.
Ms. Hong Phuong, a tourist from Hanoi, has just conquered the Ta Chi Nhu peak, considered the "roof" of Yen Bai province, with an altitude of 2,979 m. This is also one of the 10 highest peaks in Vietnam. The distance of more than 10 km from the Mo Chi area (Xa Ho commune, Tram Tau district) to the top of the mountain is all steep, with almost no "saddle" (flat section), very tiring for first-time mountain climbers.
After completing the trip, Ms. Hong Phuong shared some experiences and advice on equipment for those who want to conquer the mountain peaks. Ms. Phuong also said that October is a beautiful time in Ta Chi Nhu because the purple chi pau flowers are in full bloom.
Before the trip
Buy a pair of hiking shoes with good grip (spikes), one size larger than your normal foot size, from a reputable brand or outdoor store, not regular running shoes.
"This is the first and most important thing you need to prepare. Remember to choose shoes that are a bit loose, otherwise you won't be able to walk," said Ms. Phuong.
Before the trip, trim your toenails to avoid hitting the tip of your shoes when going down the mountain. This can cause mild pain and severe pain, and can cause your big toenail to fall off.
Choosing a good pair of shoes makes climbing more comfortable. Photo: Hong Phuong
For a two-day, one-night trip, you should buy a 15-20 liter backpack. Shoulder straps and a latch at the waist will secure the backpack to your back, preventing bumps along the way and helping your shoulders and arms to feel less sore. If you don’t have the means, use a 20 liter backpack made of lightweight, waterproof material.
Prepare electrolyte tablets in a water bottle or suck on them along the way to prevent fatigue. Anti-muscle tension sprays or tablets are necessary, because continuous steep slopes make climbers susceptible to cramps.
Ta Chi Nhu is cold in late autumn, you should bring a windbreaker or a light jacket with a thermal shirt because at night the temperature in the hut drops to about 13-14 degrees Celsius. The weather is cold and dry so there are few mosquitoes and almost no leeches on the trekking route, but you still need insect repellent or spray.
If you are traveling in a group, you should share your belongings to reduce the weight of each person's backpack. For example, if there are 5-6 people traveling, half of them should bring toothpaste and phone chargers, while the others should bring necessary medicines and ginger tea for the whole group to share.
If it is the first time climbing, members need to train their physical strength by going up and down stairs and walking a few kilometers every day.
On the trip
The road near the top has only wild trees and strong winds. Photo: Hong Phuong
The Ta Chi Nhu climb usually starts from the Mo Chi area of Xa Ho commune early in the morning. The time to climb to the top is about 6-8 hours for a distance of 10 km, with about 17,000 steps. The weather is cool, everyone hopes to see a sea of clouds when reaching the top. The rain two days ago made many sections slippery. Two trekking poles and a pair of thin, grippy gloves help the climbers to continuously overcome the steep slope.
Even if you are traveling in a group, you should still hire a local porter to guide you and carry your luggage. Porters are mostly local Mong people, so they know every slope. They will show you the best spots to take photos. They constantly encourage climbers, making it difficult for them to give up on steep slopes that are too steep to bear, and patiently wait when you are discouraged.
When climbing steep slopes continuously, many people may experience cramps and muscle tension. You should use anti-muscle tension spray. "At that time, you should take small and steady steps. Taking long steps will quickly make your legs tired," Ms. Hong Phuong added.
After climbing 7km of steep mountain roads, the group arrived at the last rest house, about 3km from the top. Guests can leave their belongings here, have lunch and rest for a while, applying more sunscreen to avoid sunburn before continuing the climb in the afternoon.
The road from the hut to the top of Ta Chi Nhu has only wild plants and scattered chi pau flowers. This is the real challenge for climbers. The road is not difficult, but it "drains" energy quite quickly when it is full of rocky mountains and the wind is howling on a rainy day. You should bring electrolyte salts, energy gels to eat along the way, along with a windproof hat, sunglasses and a light raincoat. The Mong porters also bring flutes and pipes to play when the group stops to rest along the way.
It takes about two hours to travel 3 km to reach the stainless steel landmark "Ta Chi Nhu 2,979m" with the national flag.
After the trip
On the top of Ta Chi Nhu. Photo: Hong Phuong
The Hmong porter led the group down the mountain via the opposite path to the way up, where the chi pau flowers were in full bloom, forming an eye-catching light purple strip along the mountainside. Returning to the hut, guests could buy hot water to bathe for 50,000 VND per person, and eat a bowl of egg noodles to regain their strength. If you stay overnight at the hut, you should bring a mini flashlight because the electricity here is limited. Before going to bed, you should use patches on your thighs and calves to prevent muscle tension for the next day down the mountain.
The journey down the mountain takes about half the time of the journey up. The continuous steep slopes can easily make your knees tired and your legs wobbly. "You should lean the tip of your stick on the soft ground and walk sideways so that your body's gravity does not put pressure on your toes, causing them to ache," said Ms. Phuong. Knee and ankle braces will come into play at this time, helping climbers limit injuries. If you are too tired, ask the porters for help by holding on to the basket behind their back on very steep sections.
"Don't go down Ta Chi Nhu mountain alone when your knees are weak and your legs are aching. You can't predict all the unexpected events along the way," Ms. Hong Phuong advised.
Phuong Hoang
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