Hin's 3rd C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps (Sep 19TH – Oct 12th 2011)

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9: Final assault on Taxishan into Hebei.

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>  Tue, Oct 11, 2011 at 11:23 PM

Hi,

After a day's rest, on Oct 11, took off from Dajingmern in Zhangjiakuo at 6:30am, climbing over the gate as it only opens at 8:00am, which would have left me short of daylight hours as the sun sets at 17:00hr.

Met a lone Chinese youth, who after only 4 months, hiked from Jiayuguan to Zhangjiakou. And carrying own sleeping bag, tent and noodle box. The blacken face indicated that he has not bathed for days, maybe even weeks but still very cheerful. Regret not inviting him back for a shower, food and even bed - that would have given him more encouragement, that determinedness was very evident.

Oct06. Day17. 07:15-17:10. Qiduncun – Zhangzhongkoucun. Walked 27.47km, ascent 760m.

The initial desire was to reach the start of the Taxishan ascend point by late morning and make the final assault after. Unfortunately progress was slow - more ravines and only reached the mountain base in the afternoon. So instead took time to study and plan the strategy for the climb the next day. We then followed the earlier Ming wall through the village of :Li'erkoucun to Zhangzhongkoucun. Early return to Tianzhen and rest well for the next day.

Oct07. Day18. 07:15-17:44. Started at the start of ascent (40°31'30.99"N 114° 5'38.01"E) -  Xinpingpucun. Hiked 23.8km, Ascended 1542m.

The final assault on Taxishan (West Mountain) began with a very difficult continuous ascent of 729m (over 4km in 2 hours), where we then took a deserved break, and toasted with pear and bottled green tea.

It was early on that I found and picked up a solid 3kg stone "door hinge" or "cannon ball". It was also around this time that I had a call (made me slipped and hurt my coccyx bone) from TJ. What appropriate timing, I'm on the roof of the mountain range and he asked me about roof paint? I then carried the 3kg Ming relic for the next 20km - now I know how it felt like to carry a baby for 9 months - this definitely cost a hefty sum for my T-shirts sponsors. Thus far, this is the most difficult hike but to be accorded a majestic view of the mighty Ming dragon snaking through the mountain range was just exhilarating and worth every breath and aching muscle.

We came across an almost untouched fortress with intact bricked walls (still on 3 sides), gate and even "stalls" for horses inside the compound. We eventually ended up in Xinpingpucun and more surprises were to await us.

CH has befriended a computer shop owner (sometimes a very good hobby photographer), Mr Wang, who agreed to let us stay the night in a spare room behind his shop. But first, a shower in a public bath house (one with rows of solar heaters on its roof) - this must be the place for the villagers to take a bath, maybe one a season - not bad, 3 rooms, each with 6 sprouting sprays where hot water oozes out after a long 20 minutes. Then to his house where the wife had cooked a delicious pot of potatoes and meat stew. Enroute, we were given a tour of a 500 year old Ming house. What a wonderful end to the day.

Oct08: Day19. 07:01-11:00am. Xinpingpucun – Pingyuantoucun (17.5 km), ascent 215m.

After that gruelling day, it was a slow easy day to the village of Pingyuantoucun, waving goodbye to Shanxi and strolling across the boundary to Hebei. Mr Wang took the early morning to show us the inside of the Drum tower (he has the keys), adorned with pictorials of the 8 Immortals crossing the Seas.

But wait, an even more gruesome climb into the mountain range of Hebei lurks. We went looking for the start point and happily went away with AL looking for an unknown wall with only a tiny stretch and 3 eroded tower base. Took an early break and went to Huai'an for the night.

Getting late, got to prepare for the final hike tomorrow.

Good night, God bless.

Rgds,
Hin

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