Ta Chi Nhu – the Ocean in the cloud

With an altitude of 2,979 m, Ta’s peak in Tram Tau District (Yen Bai) have severe climate

but is ideal for "cloud hunting" in the beautiful day.

Ta Chi Nhu is also known as Phu Song Sung in the language of the Thai ethnic group or

Chung Chua in the Hmong ethnic group community and located in the massif of Pu Luong in

Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Ta Chi Nhu is the sixth highest mountain in Vietnam and is

like an ocean in the clouds which attract photo lovers and trekking takers come to discover.

Traveling from Hanoi to the top Ta Chi Nhu, we have to go through Nghia Lo, Tram Tau, and

Xa Ho village. From the town center, we can only travel by car in 6-7 km, then we have to

leave the car behind and start to climb with full of challenge. Comparing with Fansipan peak,

Ta Chi Nhu is lower, but the rood to the peak is fairly much difficult.

There is only one trail to the summit which is steeply sometimes like walking on the edge.

From the foothill, mist covers densely; so mountaineering teams have to follow each other

slowly, going through a translucent white mist. Not to mention that wind will be stronger

when we go up; sometimes, we have to slump down to avoid the wind as thrash in the face,

whooshing in rushes of sound.

The path is steep and very long up to the top as if there is no stop on that, so it discourages

people. But if we do not try to climb above 2,000 m to camp overnight, we will not be able to

admire the most beautiful moments in the clouds at sunset and sunrise.

The tiredness and pant will follow us on every step; we do not know where to stop when two

sides are very deep valleys. But just go out of the jungle, we will reach the bamboo forest.

The green of the leaves, the yellow of stalk mixing with opaque fog hiding in the clouds will

strengthen you on the way to conquer nature.

That is really a sea of clouds when being at the top. On the way to the top of the mountain,

you will see the carpets of green grass and trees halfway up the mountain with green leaves,

violet and white flower like vast grassland. Sometimes, we can catch up a roaming herd of

horses that we think we're lost in the plains of nomads.

Maybe you have never felt so close to the clouds and sky, as if being able to reach the clouds

by hand. These clouds are no longer at the top but at our eyesight; sometimes, up and down,

soft as silk, sometimes as white cotton. Toward the sun, the clouds are clearer, making a

wonderful natural frame.

The first sunny days in the winter are the right time to conquer Ta Chi Nhu. Because the

sunlight is not too strong and not too cold, this will help us to climb without much effort. If do

not have much time, a day and half is enough for climbing. Remember to bring tents, food

and drinks (though some stream on the way) for overnight camping.

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