18-Jun-2005 -- Confluencing is about the journey and not the destination....this was one heck of a journey!! Sujji (my girlfriend and a new 'confluencer') joined me on this one. This was a dandy for a newbie, but she showed determination, grit, and the desire to get the elusive point that we all chase!

We started out in Chiang Mai 'dumb and dumber' style on a small 100cc moped. The closest city, Mae Sariang, was 200km away nestled in the mountains. The drive was absolutely stunning.We managed to get through some monsoon rains, a 50km detour due to a wrong turn, and fluctuating temperatures through the mountains. Arriving in Mae Sariang wet and hungry we decided that we would need to find hotel for the evening. After drying off we set out and found a trail the led 8km towards the confluence point and vowed to return early the next morning to set out by foot.

The next morning it was pouring outside, but we left in high spirits donning our brand new neon coloured rain poncho's. The walk started quit easily on a semi well maintained trail. Being monsoon season we had to get through a few small rivers. However, as we went we noticed that we would need to turn 90 degrees. Luckily enough there was a river going in that direction. We decided to walk along through the shallow river towards are destination (at this point 7km). On the way we met some hill people who were polite and offered to help us assuming we were completely lost :-) Well, we continued along the river, a little local path, and multiple other terrains. After about a 4hr hike with water waining and no food we arrived at the top of a mountain. There were hill tribes living at the top of the mountain but were a little bit unsure of our presence.The point would be somewhere beyond this point in the jungle. With lack of supplies and poor reception in the jungle we were forced to turn back.

If you want to have a go at this point you will probably need a very high powered GPS and camping gear! GOOD LUCK!

Suj and Ry,