Hi Tricia!: Dec 25, 2005

Hi Great Wall! I Finally See you!

Hi Great Wall! I Finally See you!
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

So it's Christmas Day and I am sooo proud of myself for signing up with The Beijing Hikers Club. But I had no idea that this climb was a real hike! Come on it's X-mas day! I never thought I would make it up the steep climb.
I've been to different sections of the Great Wall , but never HIKED on the Great Wall. The parts I previously went to within the last 10 years were restored, and even though the steps were steep - they were fully intact. This part of the wall has holes on the pathway and a forest of weeds and branches past your head - so it's not some casual hike - you've got to actively make sure branches don't scratch you in the face and holes don't sprain your ankle. The steps are not very stable and they are very steep and stony. So some parts the incline was so severe that I was on my hands and feet crawling up the wall.

Today, we are near Mutianyu, but we are in very isolated section. We only saw 3 people on the wall. If you go to Badaling, I am told that it is sooo crowded that you can't really see the wall, you can only see a sea of people walking in a single file line on the wall. This reminds me of the last time I was on the wall with my family (mom, father, and brother) and we chose to walk to the difficult section in the rain.

I could only post 10 pics today b.c I didn't bring enough card space on my digital cam- but other hikers will e-mail some pics so there will be more to come!

Great Wall: First Step on the Wall!

Great Wall: First Step on the Wall!
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

I finally made it!

The Great Wall is Really Great and Really Long

The Great Wall is Really Great and Really Long
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

We are hiking up the Wang Guan Yu section. however, recently the government made it illegal to walk on the Wall - so you are wondering why I am on the wall and how did they let the Beijing Hikers on the wall? Let's just say that money get's you anywhere and anything.

see how the wall curves around the mt tops?

Great Wall: Hi Tricia

Great Wall: Hi Tricia
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

this is a long wall...

Great Wall: View from Within

Great Wall: View from Within
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

archways
look out
invaders
who were the soldiers that were responsible for this section during the various dynastic rules?

So this is the only flat part of the hike - which is like the first few feet. At this point I didn't realize yet what a strenuous hike this would be. Our hiking group has about 40 people. We are the only group at this part of the wall today.

Great Wall: I Got Naked - well sort of....

Great Wall: I Got Naked - well sort of....
Originally uploaded by triciawang.

So at this point in the hike I realized that I was way too overlayered for this. I dressed for -5F degrees when it was really 15F degrees. So after the steep climb, we reached the wall's first fort - I got rid of my wool tights. But hey I am not lying when I say that I was in my undies on the Great Wall in the middle of Winter on Christmas Day!