Hin's 4th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 22nd – Oct 16th, 2012)

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6. Drive me up the bent.

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Thu, Oct 4, 2012 at 1:28 PM

1/10  06:35 - 1615.  Chang Cheng Ling park – Qinghuguocun. 19.6km, 39,232 steps, TA 993m, ME 2,127m.

Happy China National Day, but to these farmers, it's just another day in the fields. Another pleasant day for walking, and we heard the gathering call of the Amur falcons.

These amazing birds originates from the Russian-China border around Helongjiang, breeds twice a year (both summers), migrate across the vast Indian ocean to South Africa during autumn and flew with their fledglings back late southern autumn.

Had to circumvent a dangerous rock cliff outcrop (which forms part of the wall), ended at another mountain and had to climb back up another to reach the wall again. This detour took a good 1.5hrs out of me, and by then AL was already 3km ahead. My GPS ran out power and realised I hadn't stock a pair, had to rely on the guiding towers along the way and made it to the valley.

Decided to call it an early day (since it's a public holiday), and strolled into the Qinghuguocun village shop. He had his beer, I, lemon tea whilst we waited for CH. I gave an "Ang pow" to a cute 4-year girl, and before long, the whole village had congregated, fascinated by the new Malaysian notes, binoculars and gadgets we carried. Had to tell the father that the Ringgit can only be used in Malaysia, in case he has other ideas.

The early break was a blessing as upon reaching Chong Li, CH managed to find a street clobber to re-sew my boots for Rmb10 - it's now as good as "new".

2/10  06:15 – 17:30.  Qinghuguocun – ShangNanyaocun. 24.7 km, 46,654 steps, TA 1,729m, ME 1,926m.

Yet another bright sunny day, tough going but relatively pleasant hike. Noticed 2 Ming walls (strong newer, and the older weaker) 50m apart, in different period states. Ended the day at ShangNanyaocun and then back to our Country club in Chong Li. This is the best day thus far, made 24.6km, 46,654 steps.

3/10  07:15 – 17:26. ShangNanyaocun -  Qiangang Fangyao. 20 km, 39,925 steps, 1,342m, ME 1,711m.

Late start at Shangnanyaocun, as we had we checked out, and drove 60km to our last stop. Bright cold day, many many mountain crossings, scene of Zjk's stone wall enclosed with thick bushes and thorns. Did pretty well for the day and ends at a road by Qiangang Fangyao. It seems that these areas were brick making district given the many "yao"s. Drove 50km to Guyuan (provincial border of Inner Mongolia) and stayed the night.

4/10. Rest Day.

After 12 days, my right knee is crying for a break and rightly so, before we attempt to reach the northern tip at Miehuguo (slaughter "tiger" pass). The "tiger" here probably refers to the marauding nomadic tribes, the Hu.

It has taken us 6 days, from the bend up north to Miehuguo, where we had estimated to do the whole loop in the same timeframe. This is one tough ride and at this rate, unlikely to reach our "Tianti" (heavenly ladder) at Huangyaguan, we'll see where we end up in 22 days of walking. I have just been told that none of the known thru walker has taken this loop, instead the easier straight line across - nutty German lost the sense that I'm a senior citizen. He's out today with CH, confirming the Tang and possibly the Yan walls around this area. Thus far, we have seen the 2 Ming, the Qin and the Tang walls.

Guyuan is a typical new cold bustling town, lots of square buildings, not much to take in. Washing and catching-up sleep (been getting up at 5am) day.

Bye for now.

PS. For those interested to find my "love nest", attached the photo of the site, the section we hiked is just west of Dayingpan, 50m from the wall's water gate. Anyone requires the GPS coordinates, let me know.

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