Hin's 5th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 20th – Oct 13th, 2013)

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6. Driven up the wall.

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Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com   Tue, Oct 8, 2013 at 10:27 PM

Simatai is still closed for renovation, was supposed to be opened on Oct1 week holidays. Didn't want to get the guards nor ourselves in trouble with the authorities, by sneaking in at 5am in the morning. Simatai will have to wait till next year.

Completed as much of the walkable sections west of Simatai and shall try to go as far east of the Simatai as we can in the next 5 days.

2/10 11:30 – 16:50  Dadi to as far as possible (passed by Koumen, Kangyu). 7.9 km, 13.323 steps. TA 364m, MA 691m.

Very late start and intended to sleep out trying to take on a most difficult section. Awaited the arrival of Kangaroo who brought his British Bull Dog friend. They were supposedly a very good pair of pathfinders - one hopping over the rocks to look ahead and the other could sniff out the trail. Started from Dadi and enthusiastically trudge along past the wall's "water gate", heading towards the tower, we thought. After hours of searching and climbing the rocks, we couldn't find the path to the wall. With failing light, decided to call it a day and return to the "water gate", which turned out to be the wall, we were seeking. By then it was too late to proceed as the next tower was about 1km away. Mapped out each other's sleeping quarters in the open, and started a fire for dinner - instant noodles and for desserts, collected chestnuts from the orchards. Then the snorts of wild boars, out for their chestnuts, drove us up the wall as we re-consider our quarters. Had a very good bonfire and the roasted chestnuts were absolutely delicious. Turned in by 8:30pm and slept in snatches partly due to the cold in the open and the thoughts of wild animals prowling around.

3/10  06:30 – 18:30. Dadi – Huangyukou. 13.4 km, 22,176 steps. TA 849m, MA 938m.

Decided to take on the more reasonable section and it turned out to be a very good tough trek. One hairy moment to pass over a huge rock and the Kangaroo/Bull Dog did brilliantly to find the continuation path each time. A good international team and reached our intended exit point just before dusk, causing some anxious moments, with headlights at the ready and fortunately made it down to the road. Had farmer wife's home cooked meal, where we stayed for the night. The Kangaroo/Bull Dog returned to their jobs in Beijing.

4/10  09:30 – 15:30.  Huangyukou – Xiwanzi – Huangyukou. 8.5 km, 10,582 steps. TA 445m, MA 938m.

After the last 2 days' tough hikes, spent longer time preparing the route to get from Huangyukou’s topmost tower to the Goats tower in Hebeicun. We consider that if that is not possible, we would descend rather than fight our way through the thickets, but given the terrain, we were prepared with our mountain gear in case we are stuck up there. Had an early discomforting challenge climbing a 15m treacherous almost vertical rock face, with just 1/2 foot wide steps. Indeed after 2.5 hours, reached the highest tower but couldn't proceed without a clear path to the next tower. Took the decision to descend to Xiwanzi village and returned to Huangyukou. A deserved 1/2 day rest after the last 2 days.

Another day ended and another to go tomorrow.

Good night.

Take care.

Rgds,

Hin

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