UP THE WALL

---

Today we jumped in the van and braved the Beijing traffic to get out of the city to climb the Great Wall "Chang Cheng"
The traffic actually was ok as we were leaving the city but we still spent ages trying to find a spot thanks to a crazy gps, boulders on the road we had to get out and move by hand and many many u turn ( but awesome job driver jack)
We stopped at a small village where Jack and I climbed last year. We bought some water, food and fireworks which we set off. Jack bought 24 bungers in a launcher for about $3 au which were huge and he shot up in the sky, then we threw throw downs at each other till our supplies ran out - what a cool place.

We then proceeded to to village in a deep valley and headed through the little alleys and fields up to a point where we could begin climbing the wall. It was fairly overgrown so we finished the day with scratches all over our legs but there was a faint path that made it do-able. the climb was over 45 degrees at most points and in a couple of spots almost vertical. it took us an hour and a half to travel up the section we had chosen and the height we rose was amazing. At the top it was an incredible view but very on three sides were huge mountains far above us on which you could see the square outline of a watchtower - probably the closest to middle earth i think you will find awe inspiring and ancient

the climb down was slow and a little perilous but we all made it back and met Jacks mum and uncle (stepdad) for a hotpot again - mmmm.

---