The Dangerous Road & Huanghua

This film concludes the day at Mutianyu, mostly covering the excursion up "The Dangerous Road" by Anthony, Louisa, and myself. It then starts the next day's pictures, at Huanghua - a whole day of wild wall. The Huanghua pictures continue on the next film, another black and white, and concludes on the film after that.

The "Dangerous Road" part was one of my favourite moments on the whole trek. The top of the Thousand Steps was supposed to be the end of the line, but Anthony (bless his socks) fancied a quick look beyond, and Louisa and I were in the right place at the right time. It was the first bit of "proper" wild wall we'd been on (although admittedly parts of Huangyagguan and Simatai had been fairly wild), the weather was perfect, the views were incredible, and I for one felt truly hardcore. Thanks, Anthony...

By the way, don't worry, it wasn't really dangerous. You had to be careful, of course, but really, it was fine. Honest.

At time of writing, I've only uploaded the Mutianyu pictures.

Cropped view of Mutianyu wall from the Dangerous Road		[large]
a6/01a_mutianyu.jpg	508 x 640
Photo by Andy Gimblett	73086 bytes (71.37 kb)

This is cropped from this photo - just a closer view of the wall snaking back the way we came.

I think that the cable car station is visible on the "first horizon" (if that makes sense - about 3/4 up from the bottom, on the left), and further distant, to its right, is the top of the steps we took up (and the slide). But I might be wrong.

Mutianyu wall from high on the Dangerous Road		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	85539 bytes (83.53 kb)

Here's a good overview of the wall at Mutianyu taken from the flat bit at the top of the Dangerous Road (which can be seen here quite nicely). The spot where I'm standing is basically as far as we went on this day.

There's a closer view of the wall cropped from this image here, and a similar view, with more surrounding countryside (and thus less detail) here).

Me, Louisa, and Anthony on the Dangerous Road (1)		[large]
a6/02_dangerous_trio.jpg	800 x 569
Photo by Andy Gimblett	86350 bytes (84.33 kb)

Here (and here) we see the brave trekkers Andy, Louisa, and Anthony, having climbed not only the Thousand Steps, but also the Dangerous Road, exultant in their victory, and not even a teeny bit worried that they've only got an hour to get back to the coaches.

"But Andy," I hear you ask, "if only three of you went up the Dangerous Road, and there are three of you in the photo, who took the photo?". A good question, my friend. Let me introduce you to my other friend, Mr Mini-Flexipod.

Me, Louisa, and Anthony on the Dangerous Road (2)		[large]
a6/03_dangerous_trio2.jpg	640 x 442
Photo by Andy Gimblett	61152 bytes (59.72 kb)

Another self-timer group shot of threee happy trekkers (here's the first). Anthony insisted I take this, presumably so he could keep his arm around Louisa. Or on mine...

Anthony and Louisa contemplating life on the Dangerous Road		[large]
a6/05_dangerous_duo.jpg	640 x 426
Photo by Andy Gimblett	61841 bytes (60.39 kb)

"Mmmm, yeah, that's really interesting. No, really."

;-)

Another view of Mutianyu wall from high on the Dangerous Road		[large]
a6/06_mutianyu_high_again.jpg	640 x 426
Photo by Andy Gimblett	34611 bytes (33.80 kb)

This photo complements this one, showing the surrounding countryside a bit more. Check out those mountains. Check out those bricks. :-)

Anthony fighting his way back down the Dangerous Road		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	51972 bytes (50.75 kb)

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Exposed bricks on the Dangerous Road		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	57115 bytes (55.78 kb)

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Good view of Mutianyu wall from the Dangerous Road		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	49706 bytes (48.54 kb)

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The overgrown Dangerous Road		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	52569 bytes (51.34 kb)

Look at that sky...

Clambering back down to the Thousand Steps		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	50559 bytes (49.37 kb)

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Chinese tourists on a watchtower roof at Mutianyu		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	39768 bytes (38.84 kb)

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Louisa at the bottom of the Mutianyu Speedway (closeup)		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	28551 bytes (27.88 kb)

A closeup from this photo.

Louisa at the bottom of the Mutianyu Speedway		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	40289 bytes (39.34 kb)

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Kim careering out of control		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	26167 bytes (25.55 kb)

Kim's descent of the toboggan was, shall we say, a little more sedate that everyone else's. I have to say, after the adrenaline rushes of our breakneck runs, it was very relaxing to watch her gently hove into view and unhurriedly saunter down the last section, holding on for dear life all the while.

Some annoying mutt at Mutianyu		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	12118 bytes (11.83 kb)

This damn dog was looking at me for ages, while I carefully framed a photograph. Just as I squeezed the shutter, the accursed beast turned around.

Children and animals, people... Children and animals.

Department of Propoganda for Prevent Fire		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	38074 bytes (37.18 kb)

Another fantastic sign from the good people who brought you The Dangerous Road and The Centre of Lawsuit.

Part of the marketplace at Mutianyu		[large]
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Photo by Andy Gimblett	42222 bytes (41.23 kb)

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Don't forget: you can click on the thumbnail images for bigger versions!

The Dangerous Road & Huanghua

Andy's Trek

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