Hua Shan

Yeah, so this was quite the adventure. Hua Shan is one of the 4 great mountains in China and boy was it great to us. Either that or the opposite i still can't figure out which. The trip started off as any good trip in China does - with complete confusion and lack of ability to communicate thus leading to many frustrated parties. Alex, Mike, and I were planning to go and then i invited Michael which was a pretty sweet move i guess since he was quite the hiker. Deciding to skip class to make a night hike to the summit of this 2200m monstrosity was really no decision seeing as how it was Bing Wang's class. However, we did have to write a patent claim before hand which really cut into my planning time and what i contribute to leaving my headlamp behind. Cest la vie, or whatever the frogs say.

At the train station there are also buses and we had friends that took a bus for 26 so we thought we should get that price but later in the day apparently costs more, either that or else they hate us. After Michael haggling on our behalf for about 20 minutes we got them to 30 but i was having none of it so when another old man who couldn't walk (could he drive?) told us he would take us for that price and drop us at the entrance it was a no brainer. But, when we got to his mini bus it wasn't his and he was just getting his cut. We ended up sitting in the aisles on folding stools all facing forward. Luckily we weren't last in because 3 people had to stand for the 2 hour ride. Good and loud conversation with Michael on the way there conveying C America stories and listening to his from Utah. Mmm Hmm. Ride wasn't too bad but getting out i found my legs asleep and my back nearly broken. Luckily had the wherewithal to go in search of lights. Well we found some with 12 LEDs for 28 each including battery so we all got them since that is like 3.50 which isn't too bad. Later found out we could rent them for 1 kuai but that is neither here nor there. Wandered into a Hutong (alley) looking for food and found some noodles and dumplings after a short search. We tell Michael we want some fried noodles and after looking around for a minute he asks from which province and we all just stare in amazement seeing as how not only do we know no provinces but if we did would we know the noodle style of each. Crazy man. The people we found were very proud to have us and gave us a "discount" that happened to be more than we had ever paid for such a meal.

Finished up and cruising back up the street toward the park it was about 9 and we ran into some of our Chinese counterparts (Mao, Sang, and Jackson) 1from class. Ended up hiking with them but lost them on the way. Well them as well as the others. Ended up hanging out till nearly midnight in the square listening to kids tell jokes, do cartwheels, and trying to drink enough caffeine to sustain the night. The plan is to hike up the "blossoming mountain" starting at 11-12 and get up in time for sunrise. There are 5 peaks and the east is supposed to be the place to be. With no careful planning i didn't realize it was 100 to get into the park and since i had only brought 200 and already bought bus, light, dinner, and drinks i was already low. Schade. Started out alright with only a slight incline but by the 3d kilometer we were feeling it. Taking breaks every 20 minutes didn't help and seeing as how it was so hot out we all had our shirts off and were looking like good Americans. Come to find out this is quite a popular thing to do and there was really no need for the lights since there were so many other kids on the trail. Good conversation but bad pace so i had to break free. Michael already had so after i had been climbing on my own for about 45 minutes i caught him. You must realize this "trail" is really just thousands of steps chinked out of the side of the mountain. There are chains to help you pull yourself up or a cable car if you come during the day but it was a tough go.

Ran into Chinese Superman when i caught Michael and this guy was super amazing at climbing. Such good shape and i come to find out in the morning he was hiking in dress pants. Ridiculous. We would go fast for awhile then wait for Michael. Not like i could keep up either though. No claim to that. Made it to the top about 330 which is good time apparently since others took about 5 hours. Cold as ice in a snowstorm up there especially being sweaty and in shorts and Nowitzki jersey. Sat around for awhile and then decided it was enough after seeing the other kids in vintage Chinese army parkas. These guys were renting for 10 so we had to take advantage and after trying numerous positions on the cold rock finally found that if you lay on your side, knees in chest, and arm outstretched its an ok position. Got about a 30 minute nap before it started getting light out. Saw the sun come blazing up and again it was hot out. About 30 minutes after seeing the orange orb we were without shirts and sweating. The place is amazing. Lots of exposed limestone worn away by erosion to create sheer curving cliffs with some pine trees on them. Very beautiful.

About 630 we find that Mike, Alex, and Jackson had made it to the other peak and they came down and we had some picture sessions including one with Superman. He looked stoic so i tried but failed miserably. Going down sucked and my knees were dead so i just had to let it flow. Crazy they have porter/sherpa guys to carry up water/noodles/propane and whatever else to the little shops on the way. These guys go so slow and only make 30 per trip. Quite a life. Made it down before the others and fell asleep at the gate while trying to read. Haven't stayed up all night in years i don't think. Quite the experience but tired as shit.

Of course getting back was equally interesting and we first went to the train station since we heard from the Chinese students it leaves every 20 minutes for Xian and costs only 16. Come to find out there isn't one for 2 hours from the time we get there and we are ready to leave. Go back to town and find a bus who Superman haggles down to 26 for us and almost gets in a fight doing it. At one point they tell us to get out and walk but Mike and I are there to back him up even thought we aren't what you would call fighters. Made it home and dead tired slept the rest of the day. Told all the others how easy and fun it was the next day and later heard horror stories from them. Hahahaha. Only 4 more peaks in China. I think it has inspired me to do Mt Fuji when in Japan but not sure quite yet. Letcha know later.