Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung is a loyal reader of VietNamNet. He often travels and explores the culture and history of Vietnam and other countries around the world. For the past 10 years, he has been climbing mountains, conquering many peaks, including famous peaks in the Northwest.

Below is the latest article by Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung about the journey to conquer Chu Va peak. VietNamNet respectfully introduces it to readers.

Hidden in Chu Va 12 village, Tam Duong district, Lai Chau province, Chu Va peak has only been discovered by mountain climbing enthusiasts in the past 2-3 years.

With its rugged terrain, this place is considered one of the most difficult climbing routes in Vietnam - the "graduation exam" of mountain climbers. At the end of March, I and 7 friends - experienced feet of the Northwest mountains - decided to try our hand at a 3-day, 2-night journey to conquer this mountain peak.

Chu Va climbing route consists of three close peaks: Mieu Thach Son, Chu Va and Can Chua Thia Sang. Conquering all three peaks in 2-3 days is a great challenge for endurance and physical strength...

A sea of ​​clouds drifts over Chu Va peak. To admire this scene, visitors must overcome a challenging road. Photo: A Ga

Day 1: Caves and fear of heights

At 7am, we set off from Chu Va 12 village, following two clear streams up the mountain. It was the dry season but the water still flowed, cool and clear underfoot. The higher we went, the shallower the stream became, the steep slope appeared as if challenging the visitors.

After 4 hours of climbing, mostly under the dense forest canopy, we arrived at the cave. Two simple wooden platforms were built by the locals in the cave for the climbers. Water was piped in by rubber from a ravine 1km away. The place could accommodate about 20 people.

Resting camp area of ​​the climbing team when conquering Chu Va peak. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

After a quick lunch, at 1pm, we conquered the top of Mieu Thach Son. The road up was steep and steep. The wind blew fiercely, and the deep abyss below seemed to want to swallow us. One member of the group, his face pale from fear of heights and strong winds, had to return to the hut.

The rest of us and I crawled, slid, and clung to the cliff, our hearts pounding as we moved forward.

The group of tourists overcame the difficult journey. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

At 3pm, the mountain peak appeared. The 360-degree view was immense, Chu Va and Can Chua Thia Sang were close, Fansipan and Ngu Chi Son were far away. After half an hour of taking photos, we hurried down the mountain before it got dark, returned to the hut at 5pm, had dinner and went to bed to regain our strength.

The slopes are almost vertical. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

The group of tourists "reached the finish line" at Mieu Thach Son. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

Day 2: Endless slopes

At 8am on the second day, we set off for Chu Va peak, determined to just go up and then return to the hut to rest. The road up was an endless series of slopes – no flat section to breathe.

Rope ladders and swings strung up by locals appeared everywhere, helping us on slippery rocky sections with no place to hold on. With hands holding on and legs shaking, we slowly crossed the steep cliff.

More than 4 hours later, Chu Va peak welcomed us with a view wider than Mieu Thach Son. The weather was beautiful but slightly foggy, the sea of ​​clouds was only in our imagination.

After 30 minutes of taking photos and resting, we returned to the hut about 45 minutes away from the climb. Choong Keng, the Dao guide, said: "This route is difficult, few people dare to climb, the hut has never been overloaded."

That night, I lay awake listening to the wind whistling through the ravine, thinking about the last day – the infamous “dinosaur spine”.

On nice days, a sea of ​​clouds appears at the top of Chu Va. Photo: A Ga

Day 3: "Graduation speech" to remember for life

Early in the morning, around 5am, the whole group woke up and ate quickly to leave at 6am - when the sky was bright.

From Chu Va hut to Can Chua Thia Sang is 3km of "dinosaur spine" crossing 4 mountain peaks. Compared to Ta Xua, this "back spine" is longer, narrower, has no ropes to hold on to, and has deep abysses on both sides. The wind is strong, the slope is steep, and the road is only 1-2 feet wide.

"Dinosaur spine" challenges tourists. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

I crawled, clinging to the grass, sweat mixed with tears, both scared and excited. The majestic mountain scenery on both sides was breathtakingly beautiful. This was the most precious moment in my journey of more than 15 mountain climbing trips.

The first group, including me, reached the top after 2.5 hours. The last group reached the top after 30 minutes. The wind was bitingly cold, the temperature was only about 10 degrees, we quickly took pictures with the stainless steel peak and then climbed down.

Can Chua Thia Sang peak is 2,403m high. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

The way down was steep. For more than 2 hours, I clung to bamboo, tree roots, and vines. The ground was wet and slippery, and we got dirty, but no one cared, as long as we were safe. At 11am, we reached the edge of the forest, officially "graduating" in a burst of joy.

Tourists cling to bamboo, tree roots, and vines. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

The biggest luck was that the group went in good weather conditions and there had been no rain before so the road was dry. In addition, we were also protected by the old forest - ancient trees, bamboo and rhododendrons hundreds of years old acted as walls to block the wind and sun for 3/4 of the entire climb, helping the group to save energy.

On the journey, tourists climb through ancient forests. Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

Mr. Manh Chien, administrator of the mountain climbing enthusiast club (with more than 150,000 members), shared: "Chu Va requires physical strength, technique, and a steel mentality.

I recommend you only climb if you have conquered Nam Kang Ho Tao or Pusilung and absolutely avoid the rain. In addition, hire a porter to carry your stuff and calculate to get to the hut before dark, start when it is completely light.

Photo: Nguyen Duc Hung

After exactly 10 years of conquering the Northwest, I can confirm: Chu Va is not for those who want to "check-in and live a virtual life". It is for those who dare to face their fears, and then step out with a braver version of themselves.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/3-ngay-thot-tim-o-chu-va-cung-leo-chi-danh-cho-nguoi-dam-doi-dien-noi-so-2390069.html