It took skill, steady nerves, strength and plain dumb luck to successfully drive the road up, down, to or from Richmond Site. It was difficult, hazardous and challenging and even experience could not guarantee a safe trip from site to base camp on the rugged road. Some claimed that it was the roughest and most difficult road in Korea but I do not know if that was a fact. We did loose 8 vehicles in one week due to break downs and crashes. I do know that it was a hell of a road to drive or ride in a vehicle. I also know that some soldiers and civilians refused to do either.

During my tour on Richmond Site drivers were required to take a driving test with a veteran driver as a copilot. It was a trial to see if you could drive the road without using the brakes. Only the various gears and compression of the engine acting as the vehicle brake could be used during the tryout. This ability was necessary when driving the frozen road during the harsh Korean winters.    Hi-Res Pic (138K)