We hung around the first campsite for around 30 minutes after having lunch and began our slow descent back to civilization.

Exploring Beyond Ou-Trey Camp 🏕️

     We noticed on the signboards that not even a full kilometer past this first makeshift campsite things would get steep. I assume(d) this is the beginning of the ascent of the actual mountain peak, so I wanted to reach the area to get an idea for the steepness of the trail.

     After eating lunch and drinking lots of water, all of our bags were lighter and we decided we'd try and move a little faster to get to the steep section. I knew I wouldn't have as many chances to take photos during this part of the hike, but I did my best to take one-handed shots while hanging onto rocks to prevent an accidental butt-ski back to the bottom.

Mushroom Phone ☎️

     Before setting out, Monkey-B placed a call on a mushroom telephone, but apparently the signal was too weak to reach any local sunbear operators. I then asked her to give me the mushroom phone to see if I could repair it.

     Immediately after receiving the mushroom phone I forgot what it was, who I was, and where we were. You can see by the expression on my face that the situation was just a little bit too much for me to handle. I put the strange object back from where it sprang forth and decided to become a hiker again.

Let's Roll 🥾

     Okay, sorry for the diversion, now we're up and moving uphill again, and the trail already got a little more intimidating for Monkey-B because of the log bridges. With each log bridge conquered her confidence grew, and she maintained her gusto far longer that I predicted.

     It was all smiles all around for my little hiking buddy, and I regret not having made time to explore this area a little earlier. If the distances on the signboard are correct, the trail is not even 7 kilometers, so the ascent and descent could easily be done in a day carrying a light pack.

Things Get Steep 🧗‍♂️

     The moment we reached the base of the mountain was very apparent because the topography changed quickly and we were using our hands to keep us steady. It wasn't climbing or even scrambling in the mountaineering sense of the words, but a surprisingly steep pitch considering average tourists occasionally take this on with the assistance of a guide.

     I love seeing my daughter enjoying life, and this short exploratory hike was a very good experience for her. We're no strangers to nature, but in Cambodia places this wild are hard to find and even harder to preserve for future generations, so I hope there is a cultural and social shift in this country sometime soon that will lead to the preservation of what few wilderness areas are left in this country.

The Descent 🛝

     Although the hike was relatively mild by my standards, I tried to imagine the trail in the worst possible conditions. Rain and heavy winds would make this a totally different experience because the rocks and dry leaves would be super slick and there are few breaks in the forest, so avoiding "widow-makers" would be nearly impossible. Widow-makers are dead tree branches high above that could break off at any moment and crush you instantly.

     I leave you with a short little GIF to help you visually gauge the steepness of the trail. Monkey-B realized her shoes were too small on the way down because she began smashing her toes against the inside of her shoes. She grabbed a piece of bamboo to use a hiking stick and take the pressure off her toes during the descent. A new pair of shoes will be needed to further support any future hiking adventures. We arrived home safe and sound after a total trip of about 4 or 5 hours, and with part 3 over I think I milked this trip as much as I possibly can. Well, what can I say, this was the most exciting things I've done in far too long, so it's quite easy to post about.

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