Hin's 6th C.O.U.N.T. 1,000,000 steps (Sep 20th – Oct 18th, 2014)

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2: Blood, sweat and tears 

Thean Hin Ooi <ooithin@gmail.com>   Sun, Sep 28, 2014 at 9:17 PM

20/9 16:30 – 18:46. Total Ascent 190m, 3.5km 6,363 steps.

From Beijing Dongzhimen, 2 horses (1 Gold - masquerading as Harimau Malaysia, 1 Silver – German) and 1 Samurai, took bus 980 to Miyun to meet up with CH and drove to the north side of Simatai ridge, reaching the small quaint village of Dongpo.

The view of the twinning great wall was just like another annual home-coming for me – breathtakingly beautiful – the majestic heavenly ladder to the Fairy Tower and the intimidating sky bridge from there to Wangjinglou was just too exciting not to start the climb immediately.

So we did, looking for the path to the East Simatai 10th tower, sneaking behind the guards and just catching the setting sun – worth the sweat. As the sun went down, so did we strolling down towards tower 1, carefully watching out for the retiring guards. Nearing the gated entrance, we heard loud voices of 3 guards, who we were expecting to have left for home but because it’s the high tourist season, they slept over at the gate.

Had to sneak out through a big arrow hole and slowly lowered ourselves down and walked out to our waiting jeep. Spent the night at old Mr&Mrs Yang’s humble home, feasted on their lovely home cooking and watched the brightly lighted East Simatai wall.

Turned in early as we intended to start before the sun rise the following day.

21/9 05:15-19:17 15km 27,272 steps TA 525m

SImatai East (Dongpo) - Balingguan

Eagerly up at 4:30am and set off at 5:15, and after 1hr and climb of 170m reached the East Simatai 10th tower. This early start to ensure we were not chased by guards.

Walked towards the Fairy Tower, climbed its heavenly ladder and upon reaching the tower door, the fairy was not there. Looked over the familiar Sky Bridge, where I stood last year across at Wangjinglou, and promised the fairy that I shall visit her tower. The sky bridge looks less intimidating upwards than downwards from Wangjinglou.

Our confidence was boosted when we saw a guide (who claimed to have crossed more than 100 times) with a long iron pipe taking a Taiwanese tourist heading our way. We proceeded, it was scary, dangerous and exhilarating at the same time, inching our way through – for me, it was blood, sweat and tears of joy that I have finally made it across. It also felt so good to  be lovingly caress by the soft green leaves and almost instantly scratched and pricked by the jealous twigs and thorns. Well, where there is love, jealousy is just round the corner.

With  a spring we continued the treacherous trek to Bailingguan, reached the highest tower and then had to descend 700m through brushes, loose stones, and hanging branches. As the sun was setting fast, and after an exhausting 14 hours walk, we decided to exit to a quarry and was picked up by CH, returning to Miyun for the night. I was spent, parched and could hardly move – slept real well and early that night.

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