How to Navigate on a Bidoup Nui Ba Trek
For trekkers, knowing how to find your direction is an essential skill. Nature is vast, and it can make anyone lose their way. One of Vietnam’s large forest areas is Bidoup Nui Ba. Covering up to 64,800 hectares, Bidoup Nui Ba requires careful preparation, so keep in mind the navigation tips Tổ Ong shares below for a smoother trek.
The metal marker on Bidoup summit
1. Research the Destination in Advance
The Bidoup Nui Ba route lies inside Bidoup Nui Ba National Park in Lac Duong District, Lam Dong Province. It is known as the “Roof of the Central Highlands” because it is named after the two highest mountains on the Lam Vien Plateau. Every year, Bidoup Nui Ba attracts many trekkers to explore the area. A Bidoup Nui Ba trip usually takes you through 2 days and 1 night of wild nature.The destination of this journey is Bidoup peak at 2,287m, the roof of Lam Dong. Trekkers cover 27km through forest and river crossings. On the first day, the group treks up to the summit and camps; on the second day, the route descends from the mountain.Lam Dong’s climate is cool year-round. Bidoup Nui Ba is no exception, and it can be even colder because of the elevation. During the rainy season, the Da Nhim River rises and the trail becomes more slippery. The forest is often damp, foggy, and unsuitable for moving through. For safety, you should trek this mountain during the dry-season months.
The vast primary forest of Bidoup Nui Ba
2. Use a Compass
A compass is a simple tool for identifying direction. It is usually round, with a two-ended needle painted in different colors. The red end points north according to the Earth’s magnetic field. The compass face is a degree-marked circle with symbols for directions: N for North, S for South, E for East, and W for West.To use it, rotate the compass to identify true north, with the red needle pointing to N or 0 degrees. From there, you can determine the remaining directions. The 2,287m peak lies northeast of the Bidoup ranger station, so check the map before your trip.Note that because a compass contains a magnet, it can be affected by metal objects, electronic devices, and fire. Keep it away from these items to avoid inaccurate readings.
A compass is a useful navigation tool (Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash)
If you do not bring a compass, you can make a simple one with basic items: a water container, a sewing needle, and a leaf. Rub the needle against your clothing to magnetize it. Then place the needle gently on the leaf and float it on the water. The needle will turn and settle along the north-south direction. Of course, a homemade compass cannot be as accurate as a real one.
3. Use a Smartphone
A smartphone is also a helpful tool for finding direction while trekking Bidoup Nui Ba. Today, Google Maps and similar apps are excellent aids for trekkers.In areas without trail markers, turn on GPS and wait a moment for location tracking. When you open the map, satellite signals will help you see where you are and which direction you are facing.Bidoup Nui Ba has no phone signal, so download the area map for offline use. A useful feature of Google Maps is satellite view, which can help trekkers assess forest density, streams, houses, or farmland when planning a suitable route.
4. Use a Tracklog
Another way to navigate during a Bidoup Nui Ba trek is by using a tracklog. This is a collection of points recorded along a route and can be used even without phone signal. Turn on GPS and follow these points. You can draw a tracklog in advance on a laptop or download existing tracks from previous hikers. If creating your own tracklog, trekkers need research and jungle trekking experience. One tool many trekkers use for drawing tracklogs is Ride with GPS (https://ridewithgps.com/). With a Google account, you can sync tracks across both laptop and smartphone.
Ride with GPS: an app that works on both laptop and smartphone
5. Read the Forest Vegetation
This method cannot identify your exact location, but it is a useful feature to understand. The vegetation in Bidoup Nui Ba is clearly differentiated. The east and northeast areas have concentrated primary forest, including broadleaf and coniferous forest types. In the remaining areas, bamboo forest and shrubs occupy large sections. You can use these characteristics to estimate your position.
Bidoup Nui Ba pine forest in the fog
6. Notes for Trekking Bidoup Nui Ba
- The best trekking time is from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This applies not only to Bidoup but also to other forests. Daytime is easiest for moving because visibility is better and encounters with mosquitoes and leeches are reduced.
- Wear suitable forest trekking clothing. Clothing should cover exposed areas such as the neck, hands, and feet. You should also bring warm layers and a rain jacket in case the weather changes.
- Find an experienced companion. This could be a ranger, a local guide, or a trekking organization familiar with the terrain. Tổ Ong is a strong companion thanks to skills trained by experts from Survival Skill Vietnam and mountaineer Phan Thanh Nhien. Years of trekking experience from North to South are also why Tổ Ong has earned such trust.
We hope these tips give trekkers more ideas for navigating through the vast outdoors. And of course, do not forget a reliable companion like Tổ Ong Adventure for a memorable Bidoup Nui Ba trek.
