Canyoning the Nam Song in Laos

[CarpeyBiggs]

perhaps the most difficult canyon route i have ever attempted. i tried, unsuccessfully, in back to back days, to get from the drop in point to the end of the route. Day 1 i made it about half way. Day two was dissappointing, only completing about 1/4 of the route.

the route is not pristine like in utah. expect to see lots and lots of people. the leave no trace ethic isn't really practiced here. in fact, i think you are expected to leave as much trace as possible.

it was, however, among the funnest challenges i've seen. technically, there isn't much to it. the ziplines are a bit intimidating. the huge swings will get the blood pumping. and the huge waterslide can sometimes bruise your ribs. but perhaps the biggest danger is the unbelievable amounts of cheap alcohol.

1 - sunset on the nam song
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFsvF7GNDI/AAAAAAAAApg/gXlrzWF3Msw/s720/vang%20vien-1.jpg

2 - first obstacle, about 5 minutes from the drop in point. crazy lao ninja doing a one handed backflip with a top hat in his hand? wtf?
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFsy64y6LI/AAAAAAAAAqA/qKSVWBT4iUg/s512/vang%20vien-5.jpg

3- 2nd obstacle, zip line.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFs09eEVCI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/N4NGsKXu7pI/s720/vang%20vien-7.jpg

4 - the difficult traverse from obstacle 1 to obstacle 2
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFs4tAgQ1I/AAAAAAAAAqo/WhEB3U0zOFg/s720/vang%20vien-10.jpg

5- gets awfully crowded and backed up at the second stage. they should consider simul-zipping.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFs6HKvO7I/AAAAAAAAAqw/Ef0lvxsX0Go/s720/vang%20vien-11.jpg

6- simul-zipping in action.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFs89H1LPI/AAAAAAAAArI/YxlFs2SLmdU/s720/vang%20vien-14.jpg

7- more big swings
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFtHg9KWKI/AAAAAAAAAsI/CD7D5vtiwP0/s512/vang%20vien-22.jpg

8- a crazy zip line, with whiplash ending
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFtRsdjnlI/AAAAAAAAAtY/6ECg3TaQG4c/s720/vang%20vien-32.jpg

9 - and finally, the rib-busting waterslide.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_4w95F46NIaA/SaFtQabGxWI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/fiAuYBL426o/s720/vang%20vien-31.jpg

all in all, it's a really big day at the park.

[nat]

Wow, looks like a real test piece! :haha:

Actually, I'll be in Asia (mostly Hong Kong) for a year beginning next August. Do you know of any other good canyons in the neighborhood?

Nat

[rockgremlin]

Looks like good times, although I'd keep your mouth shut tightly in that water. I'm sure the locals bathe/wash their clothes/wash their dishes, etc in that water -- not to mention I'd be surprised if it's not used as primary septic...if ya know what I mean.