Buzz
At times, Trang Tran feels jittery due to exhaustion, despite prior extensive physical training and hiking experience.
Trang Tran recounts the perilous adventures of exploring Son Doong
Upon learning about the opening of Son Doong cave to visitors, model Trang Tran actively sought information online to join the exploration team of the largest cave on Earth located in Quang Binh province. Especially after hearing about the expansion of Son Doong cave for tourism purposes, Trang Tran expedited her trip to promptly immerse herself in the majestic beauty of nature.
The model shares that she enjoys adventurous activities and has participated in many jungle treks and river crossings without fear of danger. However, faced with a highly challenging expedition like this one, requiring significant physical stamina and determination, Trang Tran diligently trained at the gym for three months. She had to register a year in advance, paying $3,000 and pass a physical fitness test before being accepted into the expedition.
“Not everyone with money can conquer Son Doong, we had to pass obstacle course tests, answer interview questions to ensure we were fit. On this journey, the team had to trek 10 km of mountainous terrain daily, wade through chest-high streams, and swim through rushing waters. But for me, the more difficult the challenge, the more exciting it is,” she said.
The 4-day journey consisted of nearly 10 individuals per group, accompanied by 25 porters. Among the group were Trang Tran and the singer Kiwi Ngô Mai Trang, known for their participation in the Amazing Race Vietnam. The majority of the route was rugged and challenging. Trang Tran recalls that within the cave, there were dark passages, but when she turned on her headlamp, wherever it shone, the scenery was magnificent, grand, and breathtaking, reminiscent of Hollywood's 3D movies like King Kong.
The exploration path was rugged and treacherous, with steep and slippery terrain. Some sections required ascending from the cave floor to its ceiling, a vertical climb of 120 meters over a distance of 3 kilometers. Everyone had to navigate on their own, with many slippery sections posing significant dangers. Despite safety harnesses, the risk of slipping and hitting the rock walls was high, as evidenced by Kiwi Ngô Mai Trang's accident. Some sections were only wide enough for a single footstep, either naturally formed or strategically planned by the tour organizers to minimize environmental impact. The section leading to the cave entrance, approximately 600 meters long, required swift movement, with a narrow path that forced individuals to move cautiously to maintain safety and environmental preservation. Trang Tran often found herself running due to exhaustion.
At the Vietnam Wall, a towering, slippery 90-meter structure, each person clung to a single rope, making the journey arduous and exhausting. “Due to our slender builds, Kiwi Ngô Mai Trang and I moved quickly, while her husband faced more difficulties due to his less favorable physique. Some sections required contorting the body and sliding along the rock face, a perilous task where looking down was not an option. The darkness was pervasive, with headlamps offering limited visibility, and Trang Tran found particular exhilaration in scaling steep slopes at the cave entrance, an accomplishment few can boast,” Trang Tran proudly stated.
Living conditions within the cave were unique. Throughout the four-day expedition, there was no communication network or phone signal. Many sections of the journey were hazardous, prompting the guides to prohibit phone usage to prevent distractions and accidents. Therefore, Trang Tran lamented the inability to capture the most dangerous and beautiful moments on camera.
The group comprised five chefs and assistant chefs who alternated carrying provisions ahead. When the group stopped, there was food and water available for consumption. Meals primarily consisted of protein-rich foods such as pork, chicken, beef, eggs, milk, and coffee to sustain energy levels. Each day, around 4-5pm, the group returned to camp for bathing, followed by dinner at 7pm. By 9pm, everyone was required to rest to maintain their health. Nights in the cave were bitterly cold, but mornings brought the joy of witnessing the first rays of sunlight penetrating the cavern, a scene of unparalleled beauty. Trang Tran cherished the simplicity of life during the expedition, devoid of external distractions and focused solely on appreciation.
However, bathing was limited, requiring a 45-minute trek to designated areas and forbidding the use of shampoo to avoid environmental damage. Soap was sparingly used upon reaching Hang En, following strict hygiene protocols to prevent pollution. Additionally, porters not only supported the group but also maintained cleanliness, meticulously collecting even the smallest trash items to ensure environmental preservation.
During this journey, Trang Tran felt empathy and admiration for the efforts of the porters, who had to carry 40kg loads on their shoulders, including buckets, toilet facilities, food, and luggage, facing strenuous and dangerous tasks such as mountain climbing and wading through swift currents without getting their belongings wet. Curiously, Trang Tran asked a porter if anyone had ever given up, to which he responded that if someone encounters difficulties, the porter's responsibility becomes immense. There was an incident where a person injured their foot, requiring six porters to carry them through the rugged terrain. Therefore, her advice is to ensure excellent physical fitness before embarking on such a journey to ensure safety and avoid inconvenience to others.
Continue viewing images from Trang Tran's Son Doong expedition
By Nguyên Chi/Ngôi sao
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourAugust 13, 2018
