Climbing Fansipan Mountain North Vietnam (Sept 2009) Part 1

msl = meter sea level

Fansipan (phansipang) is a mountain in Vietnam, the highest in Indochina, at 3143 msl. It is located in the Lao Cai province in Northwest Vietnam. Fansipan is dubbed "the Roof of Indochina"; it is to be approved as one of the very few ecotourist spots of Vietnam, with about 2,024 floral varieties and 327 faunal species.

The summit of Fansipan is accessible all year round, but the best time to make the ascent is from mid-October to mid-November, and again in March. Foreigners like best to book Fansipan tours between October and December, as this period is more often than not free from the heavy rains that obstruct the jaunt. But the Vietnamese prefer their tours to the peak of the mountain from February to April, as it is not so cold then. However, the best time for the trek to the mountain is from the end of February to the start of March, when the flowers all flourish and the climbers may behold the carpets of brilliant blossoms, violets and orchids, rhododendrons and aglaias.

We started hiking at 1900 msl on 9.30 am and stopped for lunch at 1.00pm at 2250 msl. After lunch we started hiking again at 1.30 pm heading to the night camp-site for day 1. After walking and climbing the whole day for around 9 km, we reached the camp-site around 6.30 pm. It is at about 2800 msl. During that evening the temperature falls between 14 degree or 15 degree celcius and by the time we finished our dinner it went down till as low as 8 degree celcius especially when the wind blows. (I have a thermometer with me). Even with sleeping bags we can still shiver. :)
Day 2, early morning we started our journey at 7.30am and after hauling hard ourself for another 5 km, then only we are able to reach the peak of fansipan at about 12.30 pm (3143msl). Can feel the cold breeze on top there and sometime the strong wind blow follows. Pretty cool place :). 1.30 pm we started heading down at a quite fast pace and I should admit we are some sort of quite in a rushy situation, because we need to reach the start point/station of our hike before dark. I think it is adviseable to take the 3 days and 2 nights trip rather then our 2 days and 1 night trip for the Fansipan hike. Nevertheless we are able to reach our starting point at around 6.45 pm. Very tired though. We sleep like pigs that night at Sapa town Sonha GH. Not bad at all.

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