Tuesday 12 June 2012

Posted by Sarah 12-6-2012

Day 5 of trekking...........................................................................


Today was our last day of the trek, everyday we had been taken to a different section of the wall to trek. Today was no different  and we still had the biggest day to complete, everyone was a little apprehensive as like all the other days we didn't really know what to expect. All we knew was that we had to accomplish 1750 steps!
The day started as always with a warm up and then to start with we had to climb 1000 steps just to reach the wall. Although these steps were man made it was still very hard and made even more difficult by the humidity. After a short break at the top we joined the wall and started walking to our next hurdle - The Stairway To Heaven which we had named The Stairway to Hell! The heat was unbearable and we had sweat dripping off us.
We arrived at our next challenge - The Stairway! after we psyched ourselves up we took on the might of 450 very vertical steps! These were so steep that we were all out of breath and I didn't want to turn around and admire the view as I was scared of loosing my footing. As we reached the top, the steps were so steep we were literally using our hands & feet to get to the top.
As we hurled ourselves over the top ledge we were greeted with our medals and the others that had already completed the climb. Wow what an achievement it was quite emotional for everyone, as everyone had their own reason for taking on this challenge and after a group photo we slowly made our way back down the way we had come.


So there you have it Emma and I can say we have walked The Great Wall of China - well a good part of it!


Thank you to all those that have continually supported us through our fundraising & our trekking we really do appreciate it.


After nearly 2 years of fundraising, talking about China & preparing ourselves for the trek we can finally say we have done it!

Our 1000 step ascent






                                                                                                    
                       
                  
                  In the distance The Stairway to Heaven! 
The steep sides on The Stairway to Heaven

Me making my way to the top

Emma receiving her medal at the top

We made it! Us with our medals



All of our fellow trekkers at the top
Everyones kit - we were all having our photo's taken at the top

 Our chinese guides Martin & Chris

 
Making our descent down

Making our way down

Well thats the end of our Great Wall of China Trek 2012!














Monday 11 June 2012

Posted by Sarah 11-6-2012

Day 4 of trekking..................................................................................................


After receiving our pack up which was kindly made by the staff from the lodge we stayed last night, which consisted of a tomato & mayonaise sandwhich, a boiled egg, a piece of cake & a bottle of water we set off for another days trekking. Today we trekked around 10km in 32 c heat again & to start with it was really hard going as it was so humid but once we had reached the higher heights of the wall we did get a bit of a breeze. Today we walked along parts of the wall which had no sides with shear drops both sides! We also had lots of steps to tackle, the vertical steps we had to climb were so steep we were using our hands as well & we named ourselves spider women! By the time we had reached our watchtower to have lunch my sandwhich was looking very sorry for itself & I have to say it was very pleasant to look at or eat but needs must!

Morning of day 5

Climbing some very crumbled steps



No sides to this part of the wall




My poor sandwhich

Having lunch on the wall

Sunday 10 June 2012

Posted by Sarah 10-6-2012

Day 3 of trekking.....................................................................................


Today was our longest day out of the 5 days trekking, we walked approx 12km over 8 hours with a 32C humid heat shinning down on us! Although it was the longest day for all of us the scenery & views were amazing. We starting off up some steps up a hillside making our way onto the wall where we trekked for about 4 hours before we sat & ate our lunch. We coninued along the wall for a while after lunch, until we could go no further as the military have taken over a part of the wall ahead of us. So we took a detour off the wall for a while walking though farmland, hillsides & ledges until we could return back upon the wall.

To start the day some steps!


You can clearly see the shear drop each side

Yes we did have to hike up this part of the wall


Different terrian to climb over this time

Yes we did climb up this


Uphill again


Our view while we were trekking

Still smiling!



Saturday 9 June 2012

Posted by Sarah 9-6-2012

Day 2 of trekking..................................................................................................................


Our next days trekking involved us starting at The Blackdragon Pool National Park, this was beautiful to walk through but very hot & humid as there was no wind coming trough the canyon. After lunch which we ate on the side of the road! we ventured off the road we were walking on and climbed up a rock face to take a small track up to a watch tower! Once we had reached the tower which had spectacular views, we made our way down what can only be described as a dam right scary part of the wall which was only wide enough for 1 person to walk along at any one time. We were walking along an uneven path with loose rocks and a shear drop each side - all part of the experience!


Please see the photo's below................................





Making our acent up more steps




















Making our way up the side of a canyon
Our grouping stopping for lunch along side the road


Making ou climb up the hillside to start our afternoons trekking!



Going down!







As you can see the wall that we walking on at this point was only wide enough for 1 person, with a shear drop each side.
This is the part of the wall we made our decent upon