Great Wall Hike Photos (taken by Raphael B.)

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A few weeks ago I went on a hike to a section of the Great Wall. The trip was nothing short of life changing! It was everything I had wanted it to be and more. I needed the physical challenge, the fresh air, the views, the new friends. I met the group, Beijing Hikers, at a Starbucks at 8:30 in the morning and we set off on a bus to an area in the norh of Beijing to hike sections of the wild wall. I met some really great people right away. We hiked that afternoon after a great lunch at the hotel, which was situated below a section of the wall in a valley. The hike was somewhat steep at first leading up to the wall and once we were on teh wall it was a bit brushy butrelatively flat. It was so beautiful. There were a lot of towers to climb in which provided the best viewsof the mountains. The leaves were all changing too. It was really windy that day but pretty warm. We hiked down a path that led us into the backyard of the hotel. I was trying to imagine what it would be like to live in a place like this. We gathered around to have some snacks and beers and relax. The hosts made an amazing dinner that night and the dishes kept coming, the beer and wine flowed freely and the conversations were many. Everyone seemed to have a really interesting story, most of us were foreigners. That night a group of us decided to get up and make it to the tower above us for sunrise. We did it, it was so cold but such an amazing way to begin the day. The rest of the hike that day was really fun with steep places that we had to scramble up. I loved every second of it. When I returned to the city and to work I felt lighter! The images you see here were not taken by me but by a friend i met on the trip. I have not been able to get my pictures online yet,but will post them when I get the chance. Enjoy!

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Comments

[Mike Gorman]

What an amazing experience. So jealous. And uh.... is that a bug?

[Dee Barrows]

Amazing
The pictures are amazing - and your journal is so cool. This is such a good way to stay in touch with you.... Love you forever - Dee