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

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7. Tough north loop.

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Tue, Oct 16, 2012 at 6:03 PM

Today 16/10 was to be the ultimate assault on the wild wall Jiankou but overnight rain and heavy pour this morning put paid to it. Too wet, muddy and dangerous, just had to postpone it to next year.

YTD, only managed 421.3km, 761,205steps and total ascend of 25,596m.

This has been the most gruelling hike/climb thus far, and we reckon next year's trek might even be more challenging.

Anyway, glad to be still in one piece and shall be resting a few days before returning to KL.

Thanks for everyone's concerns, prayers and well wishes.

Sorry, had been traveling incognito (police restriction on foreign tourists in small towns), staying in villages, highway motels, where internet access was absent.

The northern loop terrain is just too challenging and we underestimated the time and effort to round it.

5/10  06:55 - 14:47 @41 16 56.31N 115 35 24.28E – Meihugou. 19.8km, 37,171 steps TA 1,133m, ME 1,708m.

Approached the wall from Qiangang Fangyao side. Good day even with numerous mountainous climbs. Strong stone/rock wall up to 5m high still very much intact. Came across an amazing round rock-stacked tower. Took an early stop when we reach a highway as the next exit point would be a challenge with just 2 hours left of daylight. Exited at Xizhazi end then to Miehugou, and stayed the night at cold Guyuan (3 C).

6/10  06:31 - 17:55   Beizhazi – Hulonggoucun. 27.5km, 52,097 steps, TA 1,650m, ME 2,146m.

Cool bright day with long continuous ascent of 800m. Walked the stone wall because of heavy shrubs, thorns and bushes. Huge wind farm area and ended at the village of Hulonggoucun, which is the loop's south turning. One can understand why these strong walls were built to keep the Mongols out - the valley within the loop is so fertile with plenty of crops and farm animals (sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, chickens etc.). Highest point to date at 1792m. Stayed at highway motel in Yunzhou.

7/10  06:18 - 17:20  Shengou – Qinghugou. 17.6 km, 34,052 steps, TA 1,177m, ME 2,058m.

Started at Shengou. Very tough morning climb - hard rocks, bushes, thorns, it took us 4 hours for a 800m ascend reaching the elevation of 2039m. Considering some of the dangerous rock climbs, it was a good day for us. Met a farmer waiting in the mountains for the last 2 days trying to catch the Aceepiter (sparrow hawk), using a tied pigeon with a sprung net, should the hawk came for it. Exit towards Zhang Lujiaogou, walked to the village of Qinghugou, and back to Yunzhou for the night.
 

8/10  06:30-17:40  Zhang Lujiaogou -  Mumapucun. 22.3 km, 38,824 steps, TA 1,160, ME 1,764m.

Resumed at Zhang Lujiaogou entry. Today turns out to be a very tough stone wall, bushes, thorns, rock climbs and steep slope descents. Of course, this old man rolled over a few times going down the slopes. Exited the wall around Lidonggoucun and thank goodness we managed to make it to the village of Mumapucun, which was blaring with loud happy music, "celebrating" the passing of an 80 year old man.

9/10  07:05 - 17:00  Lidongguocun - G112 Zhangjiazhuang. 18.1 km, 34,705 steps, TA 1,370m, ME 1,482m.

Started the day at Lidongguocun entry. Slight drizzle, difficult start walking the stone wall and another tough tough day, ending at the highway G112 Zhangjiazhuang and the night at a "fantian" in the village of Longmengsou, which offers simple beds and good food. The day was getting cold and was fortunate to be able to have a warm bath in a wooden tub.

10/10  06:05 - 18:00  G112 Zhangjiazhuang - 4th Road Goutai. 21.4 km, 40,434 steps, TA 1,240m, ME 1,380m.

Back to yesterday‘s G112 junction and just barely caught the sunrise which turned out to be a good sunny day. Came across a later Ming square tower with door and ladder to the top. It was tough skirting the rock cliffs and ended the day at 4th Road Goutai. Another cold (5 C) night at Longmengsou.

Until the next chance at the internet, ciao.

Rgds,
Hin

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