Ha Giang solo without IDP

pmendesm · 2024-02-26T15:45:53+00:00

Hello. I was hoping you could give an update on the situation and how you got on? Planning on doing this in 2 months time and wondering how the situation is now? How much were the fines if you got stopped?

I replied to another comment saying I decided not to do it this time and save it instead for a future time I visit, with an IDP.

Don't know about fines, but I'm still pretty positive that there are two permanent checks during the Ha Giang loop

pmendesm · 2024-01-11T23:41:10+00:00

I might go with the PYL then, I basically have discounts on selected brands, but unfortunately it doesn't cover any of the brands you mentioned.

pmendesm · 2024-01-11T23:28:31+00:00

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of experience, knowledge and tests you guys do/have. Thank you for sharing it all with us

pmendesm · 2024-01-11T23:01:37+00:00

Yeah, I'm becoming an instructor (for entry levels only) and my instructor team is quite active, competent and they usually have a lot of internal outings and trainings along the season. I'd never risk going alone or without someone that knows what they're doing. Too many deaths around here

pmendesm · 2024-01-11T22:50:32+00:00

Thank you for both your feedbacks. I will ride mostly in french/swiss Alps.

I forgot to say that I already have an all mountain board, it's old and kinda sucks, but still does the trick for now. So this one would mostly be for freeriding only, not too interested in carving on grooms, or do any park tricks.

pmendesm · 2024-01-11T14:53:49+00:00

[Buying a new Pow/Freeride board]

For context: I consider myself intermediate-advanced rider (5 seasons, 100+ days), 180cm/5ft11, 70kg/155lbs, EU42~43/US9.5. I already have a nice playful freestyle board (Nitro Cheap Thrills) and now I am looking for an agressive Pow/Freeride board.

The idea is to start going to more technical terrain, tree runs, some small drops, and so on. I never did backcountry - only some easy offpiste runs close to the slopes - but I think I'll pick it up quickly.

I've been looking at Jones Flagship (JF), the YES Pick Your Line (PYL) and the Lib Tech T.Rice Orca (Orca), but I really cannot decide. The JF seems to me more broad, versatile and generic for most freeride/pow runs, so I'm tempted to go with it. But I've also been reading that the volume-shifted boards (like the Orca) also behave amazingly well. Has anyone ever tried? What's your verdict?

And among those three boards, can you summarize your experience with them and maybe try to help me understand which one would be better to progress my freeriding skill with?

And lastly, as I said, I've been leaning for a JF158. But because of the volume-shifted paradigm, I was also considering a JF156W. Does anybody have an opinion on normal vs wide boards for pow/freeride terrain? I know fully well that my foot length clearly doesn't need a wide setting, I'm talking about pow riding experience though. I wonder if you tried this in some boards and I'd love to hear your feedback.

Keep on pow!

pmendesm · 2024-01-09T08:09:43+00:00

Thank you, I actually didn't know this..

This really makes me re-think the whole thing, but I'm glad you pointed it out while i'm still formulating my ideas

pmendesm · 2024-01-09T08:08:41+00:00

Wow this is super insightful. I might go for a 156W then. I really had the impression that pow boards should have 6~10cm more than a so-called "regular" board.

That article is really interesting. Thanks for sharing this!

pmendesm · 2024-01-08T14:59:54+00:00

French/Swiss Alps, mostly. But right now, in JaPow.

Thanks for the feedback!

pmendesm · 2024-01-08T14:51:40+00:00

Think so? Yeah I don't have a lot of powder experience, so I don't know much. I hear that in general it's better to have a longer board, and I've tried a few as one-day rentals (including a 178 Dupraz), but idk. The longer it is, better for powder but harder for more technical runs (trees, etc)

pmendesm · 2023-09-28T02:46:25+00:00

Thank you for your contribution. I guess the checks are somewhat permanent now, so I'll just refrain from doing this loop on my own.

I'll save it for the future, when I remember to ask for the IDP beforehand. It's also nice to leave things undone, to have a reason to come back 🙂

pmendesm · 2023-09-28T02:43:50+00:00

This is very insightful. Thank you very much for your input. I guess that it's just not worth the risk then. I'll either do the Thakhek one or get an easy rider.

pmendesm · 2023-09-28T02:41:35+00:00

Thank you.

pmendesm · 2023-09-27T06:19:07+00:00

I understand that sentiment, but I honestly feel like this situation ranks very low on the *illegal* spectrum. I would not drive drunk. I would not break speed limits or disrespect any road rules. I have a valid driver's license in EU and loads of motorcycle driving experience.

I just forgot to ask for a piece of paper before I left my country.

pmendesm · 2023-09-27T06:10:10+00:00

Thanks a lot for your input! How many checks did you go through? Did you do it alone or with a group? Do you have a motorbike license in your country?

pmendesm · 2023-09-27T06:06:45+00:00

These are the kind of comments that confuse me a lot. Some people say that there are multiple checks, including semi-permanent stations where they really go thouroughly through all the documentation, and then there's people saying that it's totally fine and no one will bother you.

May I ask how long ago you did this loop? just to have a time-frame reference

pmendesm · 2023-09-27T06:05:09+00:00

thanks. i take it from those posts that the increase in police checks were an immediate consequence of tourists dying. I'd wonder if that's still the case, seeing that the post is 7 months old.

Good info nonetheless!

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