Hike! 2009 East Hebei trek

[Kim]

Originally Posted by greatwallforum

http://www.china.org.cn/archive/2006...nt_1181395.htm
http://english.hanban.edu.cn/english...Sep/181395.htm

We must go before 2012!

I'm aware of the plans but so far I have not seen any sign of repair of the wall. I think they work hard to finish the city wall before the Olympic and after that the progress will most likely slow down, so I don't think anything will happen soon.

I admit that Shanhaiguan is a unique place but I would feel sad so see it turned into yet another poorly executed Chinese reconstruction project that can be seen too many places - better to protect and preserve than rebuild!

[Bryan]

I have been thinking about our timeline and trying to determine whether it's realistic to expect to make it from Shanhaiguan to Huangyaguan in 30 days. The more I look into it, the more I doubt it. It's hard to judge based on the previous experience of others because as far as I can tell, our predecessors (who were almost always going in the opposite direction) didn't follow the Wall for the entire distance. They definitely didn't explore offshoots and double walls as I think we will be interested to do. And by most accounts, this is the most difficult section of the entire distance between Jiayuguan and Shanhaiguan.

My conclusion is that we should probably plan to hike at our own leisurely pace and just let the distance that we cover take care of itself. We don't need to push ourselves. I want to take my time and savor the experience rather than rush. We want to take plenty of photos and investigate the surroundings. If there is an auxiliary or double wall, we should feel free to explore it if it looks interesting. I think this is an excellent example of the journey rather than the destination being the focus. So, if we make it to Huangyaguan or beyond, that's great, but if we don't, that's fine with me too. I won't be disappointed and I won't be surprised.

[Kim]

I totally agree with you. Our purpose is to see the Great Wall and not to arrive at any given location. It would be great if we can finish at Huangyuguan but it might be very difficult and I know that the hike can be very difficult in this area. A lot of the places have some offshoots (possible due to some changes of the position during the wall - like in Banchangyu where they changed the original location of the Ming wall later during the Ming dynasty). It would be very interesting to explore these areas in details and there are a lot more than just Banchangyu.

I don't think the eastern Hebei section have been very well documented, compared to the Beijing area, so another purpose is to take a lot of pictures - and I do take a lot of pictures
Then we might think of a way to make these pictures public later

If we arrive at a nice location there should also be room in our plan to stay there maybe one day to explore and enjoy the atmosphere - even though it's not Great Wall.

[Kim]

Looking at the new images from Google Earth I think we should consider avoiding the Weiziyu area: 40° 7'27.12"N 119°29'43.41"E

The wall here is very difficult to detect - I found some lines that might be GW but I didn't add them to the map because it's very unclear. Furthermore this area is probably the most dangerous part in Eastern Hebei. Based on my personal experience from Weiziyu it's not a place I would like to hike trough without a lot more safety equipment than we plan to bring. The new images seems to confirm that.

Another potential dangerous area is east of Dongjiakou.

The area east of Jielingkou is most likely the most dangerous part of the hike.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Kim

Looking at the new images from Google Earth I think we should consider avoiding the Weiziyu area: 40° 7'27.12"N 119°29'43.41"E

The wall here is very difficult to detect - I found some lines that might be GW but I didn't add them to the map because it's very unclear. Furthermore this area is probably the most dangerous part in Eastern Hebei. Based on my personal experience from Weiziyu it's not a place I would like to hike trough without a lot more safety equipment than we plan to bring. The new images seems to confirm that.

Another potential dangerous area is east of Dongjiakou.

The area east of Jielingkou is most likely the most dangerous part of the hike.

I noticed a large gap in the Weiziyu area of the map! I tried to find any hint of a wall there and couldn't.

You're the Hebei expert and I will accept your opinion. Anyway, the first priority is survival! We'll take whatever detours are necessary — on foot or otherwise.

[Kim]

You're the Hebei expert and I will accept your opinion. Anyway, the first priority is survival! We'll take whatever detours are necessary — on foot or otherwise.

Exactly! I think the risk of hiking here is too big, and safety can not be guaranteed here. The most dangerous area I been to so far - well I didn't go beyond the tourist area of Simatai.

I suggest we stop here: 40° 9'3.62"N 119°31'18.83"E

Follow the road to 40° 7'27.12"N 119°29'43.41"E to see the first non-dangerous part and then get a car to take us to this area: 40° 6'0.26"N 119°19'9.14"E

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Kim

Exactly! I think the risk of hiking here is too big, and safety can not be guaranteed here. The most dangerous area I been to so far - well I didn't go beyond the tourist area of Simatai.

I don't know why I can't resist going there again. Maybe the same reason people climb mountains. And Jiankou. The most dangerous places I can think of on the Great Wall. "Feel the fear and then do it anyway", as Nathan said to Polly. I'm glad he wasn't talking to me! So far it has been "feel the fear and then go back" for me.

Originally Posted by Kim

I suggest we stop here: 40° 9'3.62"N 119°31'18.83"E

Follow the road to 40° 7'27.12"N 119°29'43.41"E to see the first non-dangerous part and then get a car to take us to this area: 40° 6'0.26"N 119°19'9.14"E

That looks like a good plan.

[chinoook]

Hehe. The Ming guys built a wall there and you guys fear to walk ...


-chinoook

PS: For me it is easy to laugh. I have not been there ...

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by chinoook

Hehe. The Ming guys built a wall there and you guys fear to walk ...


-chinoook

PS: For me it is easy to laugh. I have not been there ...

El Camino del Rey was built by humans too and you won't find me there either.

[Kim]

Hehe. The Ming guys built a wall there and you guys fear to walk ...

That's the good think about the Great Wall in the west - I doesn't hurt that much when you fall in the sand.