Hike! 2008 Great Wall trip

[greatwallforum]

In this thread, I will track the progress of the preparation for my 2008 trip to the Great Wall. This will be my fourth trip to China. I will be in China for 7 weeks, and in the Beijing area from about August 20 to September 30.

2009 Great Wall trip thread

[greatwallforum]

I am always looking for interesting Great Wall locations to visit and trying to prioritize them. Right now, I have far more ideas than I have time for. In general, I have decided to concentrate in the Beijing area this year.

Miyun: Gubeikou (Wohushan), Jinshanling, Simatai, Bailingguan

Huairou: Qinglongxia, Hefangkou, Jiaojiehe, Shentangyu, Lianhuachi / Qiliankou, Mutianyu, Jiankou, Moyashike, Lianyunling, Dazhenyu, Sanchakou, Xiangshuihu, Huanghuacheng, Zhuangdaokou, Xiaoxihu, Xishuihu

Yanqing: Shuiguan, Qinglongqiao, Shixiaguan and westward

I probably won't have time for Yanqing county, so that area may have to wait until the next trip.

[greatwallforum]

These are my goals so far for this trip:

• Visit and photograph the places listed in the above (Destinations) post
• Become more familiar with the Jiankou Great Wall and the Xizhazi area
• Climb the Yingfeidaoyang area of Jiankou
• Complete some long hikes
• Cross the Simatai Sky Bridge

If I can handle Yingfeidaoyang and the Simatai Sky Bridge, I think I can handle anything on the Great Wall, so I am testing myself in preparation for next year’s expedition.

[greatwallforum]

I've been doing a lot of things to get ready for the trip.

I bought air tickets at the earliest possible date, October of last year. Delta has new nonstop flights from Atlanta to Shanghai and, having had trying experiences with connecting flights to China in the past, I chose the nonstop flight without hesitation. Hopefully next year, due to their merger with Northwest, they will have a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Beijing!

Last year I began preparing detailed maps with GPS coordinates and place names in both Pinyin and Chinese characters. Some are topographical and some are planimetric.

In December of last year, I got a new backpack (Golite Jam2), and in January of this year I modified it to my needs (removed the top extension and some other features to reduce weight, added a waterproof zipper, and added several inside pockets with Velcro closures). The finished product weighs about 600 grams (21 ounces).

In January, I bought and read two books: The Essential Wilderness Navigator by David Seidman, and Outdoor Navigation With GPS by Stephen W. Hinch.

In February, inspired by the books, I got a Brunton baseplate compass. It’s good to have a “real” compass with declination adjustment, and this one only weighs about 30 grams (1.1 ounces).

In March, I modified an aluminum hiking pole to make it as short as possible for packing purposes while still being long enough for use. This also reduced the weight to 228 grams (8 ounces). I still haven’t decided whether to bring it; I really prefer to have both hands free at all times while climbing. I also like to be able to use my camera frequently and quickly.

Also in March, I got a new passport as I found that my existing passport would expire this year.

In April, I resumed studying Mandarin Chinese and it’s a good thing because I found that I have forgotten so much!

Also in April, I resumed my fitness training. I use a stepper to improve leg strength and I run to build stamina.

Last week, I sent off my visa application and I hope to receive my visa this week.

[greatwallforum]

I am considering buying a few items for this trip.

My travel philosophy — I value simplicity highly. I like to travel with a minimum of things to carry and I appreciate the lightest possible pack. This sometimes makes it hard for me to decide what to bring and what to leave behind.

With that said, here are the items on my list.

Camera — Digital cameras are always improving and it’s a little hard to resist not getting something more recent. I use a small, lightweight camera (Canon Powershot). Although a camera is not a necessity, I definitely would not travel without one. Photos are the souvenirs that I bring home.

Memory — Digital cameras require memory and I need more of it.

GPS receiver — Garmin has introduced their Colorado series of GPS receivers and they are really tempting. But for this trip, I could probably do without any GPS receiver at all. The receiver with spare batteries adds weight and bulk. If a decent topographical GPS map of China were available, I would be much more inclined to use a GPS receiver. To be decided . . .

MP3 player — An iPod Nano with a charger is tiny and only weighs about 60 grams (2 ounces), but I can live without music for a while. I think.

[Kim]

Nice to be able to follow your preparations and hopefully I can get some ideas.

Have you begone to plane the Hebei trek next year?

[greatwallforum]

Originally Posted by Kim

Nice to be able to follow your preparations and hopefully I can get some ideas.

Have you begone to plane the Hebei trek next year?

I have definitely been thinking about it! I will start a thread on that topic soon. There I will list my thoughts so far. Many of them are questions to be decided. We can discuss it there and try to make some plans in advance. I am very pleased at the prospect of your joining me and I hope we can work that out!

[Kim]

I aready told my boss that I probably need to take a "few" days off in September next year

Living in that area I will be happy to make the research needed for the trip and make some different arrangements. I'm sure it will be an experience of a lifetime so I look forward to join you. Hopefully we can meet later this year and maybe make some plans together.

[greatwallforum]

Today I received my visa. The visa is good for a stay of up to 60 days, so I won't have to worry about getting it renewed while I am in China.

[sophie]

Bryan, your trip sounds great. It is too bad we won't be able to meet when we are China. I will be leaving in June. You will be arriving in August. I don't know if I will ever be able to return to China again after this trip. But if I do then maybe we will be there at the same time.