China-A new life

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January 3rd 2016

Published: January 3rd 2016

Antarctic is done for the time being. Someday I may try to go back to that type of life and travels. But now a new adventure awaits me. It took two years and a forest of paperwork, but now I have a job working as support staff at the American Consulate in Guangzhou, China. Ive been in country for seven weeks now on the start of a two year contract. Every weekend I explore the sights, sounds, cultu... Read Full Entry

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Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

There is still much hiking from that point to the other 4 peaks.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

One may see lots of concentric lover locks on the guard bars and iron chains. It has become a particularly attracting scenery at Mt. Huangshan. On locking the concentric locks, lovers will throw the key into the cliff, then, their love will eternal, never leave each other.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

You can bring along your own lock, or purchase one from many of the vendors on the mountain. Except for the concentric lover locks for people's love of fidelity, there are also locks for a family's happiness and locks for a kid's health. People put the concentric locks on Mt. Huangshan, praying for love, happiness, health.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The knife’s edge to the top. Every where one looks, there is always more stairs, and they all seem to go up.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

What it looks like from the actual stairway of the knife’s edge to the top.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

As I gained altitude the vistas improved. In all directions were equally impressive summits, covered in trees clinging to cliffs.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The pathways split across the mountain, heading off towards various temples and peaks. Vertical ladders dug into rocks allowed access to higher points, sometimes with only steel bars or chains for support, but often with nothing to arrest ones fall.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

I made it. And I am beat. It was a hard 4 1/2 hours of hiking up long winding paths and thousands of stone stairs cut into the rock.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

Traditionally, only the giant plateau with its summits to the south of the peak Wuyun Feng Five Cloud Summit) was called Taihua Shan, Great Flower Mountain). It could only be accessed through the ridge known as Canglong Ling, Dark Dragon Ridge) until a second trail was built in the 1980s to go around Canglong Ling. Three peaks were identified with respective summits: the East, South, and West peaks.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The East peak consists of four summits. The highest summit is Zhaoyang Feng, Facing Yang Summit, the summit facing the sun. Its elevation is reported to be 2,096 m (6,877 ft) and its name is often used as the name for the whole East Peak.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

One can climb this vertical stairway, if you like. There is no safety harness available. I saw adults pushing little children up the stairs ahead of themselves. Just to the left of these stairs is a nice three level wooden stairway.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The South peak consists of three summits. The highest summit is Luoyan Feng, Landing Goose Summit), with an elevation of 2,154 m (7,067 ft).

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The Chess Pavilion, stuck out in the middle of nowhere on Mount Huashan.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The Plank Road in The Sky is one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. I got to the plank path just after an afternoon rain. No one wanted to take my photo as the planks were plenty slippery. A safety harness cost $5.00 to rent. I did walk the length of the plank and return. However, the photo was taken in a nearby building with a green screen.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

The West peak has only one summit and it is known as Lianhua Feng or Furong Feng, both meaning Lotus Flower Summit. The elevation is 2,082 m (6,831 ft).

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

With the development of new trail to Hua Shan in the 3rd through 5th century along the Hua Shan Gorge, the peak immediately to the north of Canglong Ling,

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

Yuntai Feng, Cloud Terrace Peak), was identified as the North peak. It is the lowest of the five peaks with an elevation of 1,614.9 m (5,298 ft).

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

Huashan has a variety of temples and other religious structures on its slopes and peaks. At the foot of the mountains is the Cloister of the Jade Spring, which is dedicated to Chen Tuan. Additionally atop the southern-most peak there is an ancient taoist temple which in modern times has been converted into a tea house.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

From the west peak, one can take the cable car down the mountain. The west peak cable car station is bored into the side of the mountain. After the long hike up, it was a very relaxing ride back down.

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

As the cable car passes over a large ridge, you are greeted by a spectacular view of 3 of the main peaks - it really takes ones breath away!

Beijing - Xian, China May 2017 - Mt. Huashan

I was surprised to discover that the cable car is manufactured by Poma.

3rd January 2016

Di & Joe V.
non-member comment

Looks beautiful.... Happy to hear that you are enjoying it there. :) Happy New Year!! Di & Joe

18th August 2016

Derek Davey
non-member comment

Silly Submariner
I hope that you are doing very well in Guangzhou and you have fully acclimated. Enjoy yourself there. Extremely hot in Lewis County this summer and very humid. We have had a "drought" and tornado this summer. The corn still grows. Take care. Derek

24th August 2016

Audrey J Mills
non-member comment

AWESOME!!
So great to hear from you and about your amazing adventures! I'm now a subscriber to your blog so keep it up!

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