These large Russian trucks carried 35 to 40 people through the mud, the only remant of the road in-and-out of Phonsavan during the monsoon.

What you cannot see in this picture is the sheer cliff off to the side... if we were not able to stay on the "road" we would slip off the side of the mountain and fall several hundred feet to our death. This was the most exciting ride of my life.

These trucks always traveled in pairs of 2 or 3, so that if one got stuck it could be pulled out. It's also safer to travel in a pack when it's raining and the mountain is even more slippery.

Notice the truck in the back. At times it would roll to such an angle (almost a 45 degree angle) that you were sure it would tip over. You can tell where the truck has been by the leftover mud on the front grill.

Other, lesser truck, would be stuck here for some time. This was one of the drier spots along the road, too. It's unclear how long this truck has been here.