Hang Tien setup, trip one

Walking to Hang Tien (in the distance)

Oxalis are going to start running tours to Hang Tien again, Initially just a one day and a two day tour, but eventually the four day tour will also go here.

Snake in the 'grass'

The point of our trip was to mark a route (for conservation purposes) into the high level passages of Tien One, and the route in Tien Two, deciding where to stop the customers.

Rickety ladder, soon to be replaced

We had a seven thirty start from Phong Nha and then had breakfast at Tan Hoa, a bad move really as this meant we wasted quite a bit of time over breakfast, however we set off just after ten and drove down the track towards our drop off point.

High level in Hang Tien 1, note the hole in the floor

After about an hour of pleasant walking, initially up hill and then a descent we arrived at Hang Tien, still as impressive as ever! Just before the entrance Phuong spotted a snake, very thin but over a metre long and probably poisonous. It didn't seem to bothered by us and was quite happy to pose for photographs.

The main passage in Tien 2

Once at Hang Tien we went straight to the exit and the route to the high level passage. The rickety ladder has been improved since my last visit but it is still not good and this is going to be improved before the tour starts. I think we have another setup trip the day after I come out of Hang Son Doong (I go in tomorrow so this will be on Tuesday 19th July) if all goes to plan.

Hang Tien 2 entrance

Having marked the high level passage we had lunch at the exit before cutting a route through to Hang Tien Two, again we marked a route and then set off out, back to the camp site used on last years tour where the porter team were busy building tables and constructing the campsite.

Hang Tien entrance

Strangely it was then decided that we would walk out on the old route to the road (where we are not supposed to go), cross the pontoon bridge and pick up our lift back to Tan Hoa, for more noodles and then back to Phong Nha.

The resurgence pool, brings back old memories of cool swims