Dream To Dare
C.O.U.N.T 1,000,000 steps
Hin's 4th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 22nd – Oct 16th, 2012)
​
3. All kinds of everything.
​
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 12:24 AM
24/9 06:05 - 18:16. Toudaobiancun - Shuijingtun Waiying. 19.8km, 28,392steps, Tot ascent 1150m, max elevation 1595m.
Thanks everyone for your concerns and continued prayers.
Now I realised the meaning of Mao Zedong's "love the Great wall", that was the moment I "fell" (12m deeply) in love with it - the Dayingpan white Ming Beijing Wall.
It was time to test the readiness of the wounded, fallen harimau, and we resumed our walk from where we ended the 1st day, at Toudaobiancun entry. Real tortuous loose rocks with long ascends and descends. after passing the military listening post area, we had to climb down a virtual cliff. On terra firma, JK asked "Uncle, how often do you two do this?". My immediate answer was - many times. Oops, this could be his last Great Wall hike - his parents may not allow him anymore.
Weather was cool with constant threatened rain but was dry and ended the day at Shuijingtun Waiying, 19.8km from the day`s start. After this 12 hours and 11mins hike, I now declare the harimau is back.
25/9 11:25 - 14:05, Shangyao – Provision Road “S241 (@41 22 54.4N 115 46 2.6E) about 1.6km from Zhajiaying (7.1km), 14,385 steps, TA 340m, ME 1708m.
This was JK's last hiking day. Rain was predicted and it did rain the whole day!
We had decided to do a rekki of the northern most point of the Chicheng loop, and started the 200km journey at 5:30am, stopped over at Chicheng for traditional breakfast of tofu and vege soup with dumplings - fantastic taste. Chicheng is a big town and is centrally located for our on the rarely attempted northern wall loop.
As it was raining quite heavily, we went to the border of Inner Mongolia, all the way to Pingdingbuzhen, Guyuan, hoping to have a glimpse of the famed Mongolian grassland, only to be greeted with no more than a marshland. Tried to go into the Mongolian tent for a sip of the horse milk with liquor, but alas no one open the door, they were probably drunk from the previous night's celebrations. En-route we visited the ancient fortress village of Yun Zhou, which is about 20km from Chicheng.
From Guyuan, we then went back south towards Meihuguo, and trek a 7.1km section of the Qin? Great wall near Shangyao, in the rain, very pleasant rolling hills and we were happily wet. Reached Zjk 7pm and had a nice parting dinner for JK.
Reviewing the last 4 day's events, all kinds of everything that could go wrong, happened.
1st day to Zjk, my main backpack's left shoulder strap broke as well as the waist buckle. Took it to a bag shop and met a lovely pair of angels, who lovingly sew back the strap and replaced the buckle - no charge!
2nd day, started the tough Zjk track whence I strained my left thigh. This is one track I would hesitate to recommend to any recreation hiker. The threads on my boots were cut by the sharp wall stones, which are "fixed" with duct tapes.
3rd day, I "fell" in love with the white Dayingpan Wall, the nose bridge of my glasses came off (fixed with a pair for 1 Reminbi). and
4th day, rained the whole day, though we had a refreshing wet hike along the Qin(?) Wall.
I guess and hope these will be the end as we continue our slow journey.
Until the next chapter, good night and God bless.
PS. I have enclosed 2 photos - the white wall and the Zjk track.
​
Comment:
​
Edward Chua <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Very interesting journey but would like to see your whole attire including your boots to get a better understanding of the equipment on you.
May God speed be with all the way.
sue chuah <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Thean Hin,
Its miraculous, u actually did fall some 4 storeys!!!
Breathtaking sceneries... lots of qi energy there. Saluting u for such a great feat. Keeping u in our prayers.
Raymond Boey <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 12:23 PM
Wow. Bro Hin,
Man I really give you credit for your achievement!
And. Must say u. Really hv the guts to do what u intend to do!
My continuous prayers until your safe journey back to your love ones and "harimauland"!
GOD Bless my friend
Raymond
Mei Yoong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Please take care!! I will have you in my prayers. Enjoy your adventure.
HANK KOK LIM <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 3:45 PM
Hin
The Zyk track really looks frightening. Jia You
Christine Choi was Farley <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 5:25 PM
Thanks for the lovely picture x
rokett <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 2:33 AM
Aye two photo only meh
Christopher D'Cruz (EQPT SA) <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 8:15 AM
Dear Friend,
Good to know you are good and better from the last time you wrote , take it easy and wish you all the best on the rest of the journey.
Take care , good wishes my friend and keep in touch .
Best regards
Chris
Yap, Mei Yen <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Take good care and look forward to hear more hiking news from you.
Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 4:06 PM
Re: A friend’s conviction : 3. All kinds of everything. (Hin's 4th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps Ming Great wall of China)
Thanks Eddie, I shall fwd on your encouragement to Hin. He is only appealing each to donate to whatever cause or charity that touches oneself. If u wish, u could give to YMCA of Singapore . At the back of cheque write Lim Kim San Volunteers Programme. Or to Make-A-Wish-Foundation (singapore) ltd. the YMCA LKS prog is to support homes etc where volunteers are involved in serving them. The MAWF is for less fortunate children with life threatening illness.
Best Regards, Thomas. iPhone
On 30 Sep, 2012, at 9:39 AM, Eddie Sng <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> wrote:
Hi Thomas,
Do you have the link to where we can donate? What he is doing is brave and I salute him for taking the plunge. God blessed him to be saved...landing on lotus flower of all things!
Courageous I must say!
Thanks and regards, Eddie
​
From: Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>
To: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com
Sent: Sunday, 30 September 2012, 8:42
Subject: A friend’s conviction : 3. All kinds of everything. (Hin's 4th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps Ming Great wall of China)
Dear friends, just sharing a very dear friend’s conviction and courage ..... some times in life certain things we do may not be easily understood but it doesn’t really matter. One’s conviction and courage do speaks volume of one’s purpose !
This is Hin’s 4th year and another 500Km track of the treacherous Great Wall !
A day ago, he had an accident - a free fall of 12m but was saved by a tree ....God was merciful.
It would be another 15 or 20 more days to go. Will also fwd his previous account of the fall
For those of you who don’t know Hin, he lives in KL, married with 3 kids (2 grown up son and 1 teenage daughter). He is nearly 60. We were once colleague before in the 80s and he woke up one day and felt that he would want to complete the tracking of the great wall in 10 years ! He has been tracking the great wall once a year mostly on his own. He encourages all to sponsor his walk and donate whatever you wish to your own charity of choice as he makes his journey.
God bless
Thomas
Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com> Sun, Sep 30, 2012 at 4:08 PM
Wishes from a good lawyer fren of mine in KL for u
Best Regards, Thomas. iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
From: CHAN MO LIN <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>
Date: 30 September, 2012 11:26:25 AM GMT+08:00
To: Thomas Choong <xxxxxxxxx@xxxxx.com>
Subject: Re: A friend’s conviction : 3. All kinds of everything. (Hin's 4th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps Ming Great wall of China)
My fellow countryman! What a feat! All good wishes to him.
Regards
Mo Lin
Sent from my iPad
Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com> Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Thanks bro.
God bless u and loved ones too.
​