Weedy unfit kid goes mountain climbing
Trip Start
Mar 14, 2006
1
5
9
Trip End
Apr 14, 2006
Hua Shan, China
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Well, it was a battle, but I got there. Getting a room I mean, not the mountain. You see, after trekking for 6 hours, I get to this hotel / hostel at the East Peak and they try to charge me 80 Yuan for a bed. Of course, I tell them to go and piss off, first clearly in hand gestures and then, later, in English (no one speaks english up there). In the end, a bed for 45 yuan was the result, but the whole ordeal left a bitter taste in my mouth. Partial blame for this should also be placed on the tea I am currently drinking. Anyway, I thought i would get this rant out of the way first, so the rest of this entry can be a glowing assessment of the beautiful mountain that is HuaShan.
From the outset, I will admit that the climb was harder than expected. At particularly difficult and trying parts of the climb, I would curse the people that were happily strolling down the mountain, clearly having caught the cable-car to the mid-point of the peak. Especially irritating are the touts who seem to be born with a special ability to locate the most difficult parts of the climb and accost you right at the end of them, breathless, knackered and in no mood to be hassled. However, as you stand at the top, surrounded by the lower peaks and sweeping views of the area, the broad red glint of the sun as it rises and a hollow quiet as the wind sings between the peaks, of course, it's all worth it. The photos, to some extent, give an impression of the view, although photos never quite capture the scene entirely.
I stayed overnight at the top and woke early to watch the sunrise over the mountains further to the east. As the sun just started to become visible over the peaks and the mist, I was reminded of waking up each morning, looking over the swan at the sun shining over the darling ranges and into my room (Irene - you had better be taking good care of my room...). Of course, it wasn't nearly as impressive as that old part of Maylands...
The mountain, indeed, was impressive. But almost as impressive were the people that, day to day, climb the mountain, carrying goods and supplies to the top. These people, with what looked like at least 50kg on their backs, would carry coke, water, fruit, timber, rice, ceramic tiles or whatever, up this enormous mountain. It was quite incredible. The next time I ever think about complaining about my job, I'll just remember what these people do...
And so to the top 5. Well, all I've really done since my last entry was climb a mountain. And given this, there's was not really that much else going on except me, a mountain and my thoughts. So, as I've talked about the mountain, and I don't want to talk about me, the Top 5 topic is "Top 5 random thoughts on the clim up HuaShan":
5. I wonder what Ian Turpie is doing now...
4. I wonder if Ian Turpie still has that moustache...
3. What kind of pizza did the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eat?
2. Who would win a fight between Optimus Prime and Superman?
1. How many Teenwolf movies did they make?
All very intellectual thoughts I know. Thoughts 5,4,3 and 1 are still to be resolved. Assistance would be greatly appreciated. And if anyone was wondering, Optimus Prime would win because he can turn into a truck...
Do it...
Comments
Optimus prime ...brilliant
I think Mr Mark that you are maybe a famous person from Home and Away ?
Answers...
I remember them always ordering pepperoni, and im pretty sure michelangelo loved anchovies.
Ian turpie is still around...dont know if he pops up on TV much anymore, maybe just for morning infomercial style things. Still got the moustache, without it hes just 'some guy' - not 'the Turps'.