Mt. Silverstone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last week, Scott and I stayed at this awesome lodge in the Tolkinese Alps called the Topas Ecolodge . While there, we decided to sign up for a guided "trek." Now, there were lots of "trek" options, but there was only one "advanced trek."

MT. SILVERSTONE.

It was 1600 Meters of unadulterated rock, mud, and bamboo forest. Armed with only our brawn, we set out to conquer the mountain.

(That's Mt. Silverstone in the back.)

We hadn't gone 50 yards before we ran into these ladies.

Don't let their toothless grins fool you. Beneath that sweet facade there lies ruthless businesswomen. They took one look at Scott and thought the same thing I did the first time I saw him: "That guy looks easy."

They followed us for the first hour of the hike, trying to lure Scott into purchasing some of their wares. Eventually their persistence paid off.

The trek began on a relatively low incline. We made our first stop at the local Red Dao Tribe Community House. It was 9am, but before we knew it we were given shots of rice wine and taking hits off the bamboo tobacco bong.

This is Scott, who admittedly hasn't tried to inhale since he was 11, and Mr. Luong, our hardcore guide. I, who admittedly have never inhaled, didn't try the bamboo bong, but I did try the rice wine, which should be called rice whiskey. It made me feel like my tongue was melting.

We left the house and continued upwards. Just before things got steep, we made some friends with these buds hangin' by the side of the road. It seemed everywhere we went we were surrounded by children saying, "Hallloooo!"
After we left our new found friends, things got real. Mr Luong stopped by the side of the road, pointed to a small opening in the brush, and said, "We go up now." We didn't believe him until he disappeared into the tangle of bamboo. From there we began the 75 degree uphill incline.

It was a bamboo jungle, baby!

The trail we were on is used by local villagers to harvest bamboo. As we neared the top, we saw a small horde of Vietnamese girls charging down the mountain after a morning of bamboo-jacking (like lumberjacking?).

Also near the top of the mountain was a little farm. We met this pregnant pig. I loved her.

And there were these beautiful cows!!

Oh Livestock, why do you make you me miss my native Lancaster County Land so much?

Finally, we reached the top. We couldn't wait for the view!

Unfortunately, we got stuck in a cloud and the view looked more like a white smoke screen than anything else. But we knew it would've been amazing!

Still, it was a helluva great day. We finished the trek down and headed back to the lodge for happy hour at the outside bar. Musta been nice, huh?