10/23/06 ~ HuangShan (Yellow Mountain)

On the Rio: Delroy Wilson ~ So Long Jenny

I climbed part of HuangShan (Yellow Mountain) this weekend, and slept on the peak at the "Cloud-Dispelling Pavilion", where views are astonishing of small granite peaks prodding through clouds of mist.

We took the cable car part way up, and then hiked about 3.2 km (2 miles), often very steep and narrow pathways.

All the steps I went down, I eventually had to walk back up. My calf muscles are quite sore today. But I made it! Sometimes the steps weren't wide enough for my entire foot to fit on. And as you can see by the railing, if you fall, you could easily slip underneath, and often the otherside of the railing is a sheer dropoff. Quite stressful at times.

The total elevation of the mountain is 5178 feet.

These are sedan chairs, for those who really can't make the stairs. A person stands in front and in the rear with the bamboo poles on their shoulders.

The Chinese give places such poetic names. This next photo is a shot of "Flowers Springing from a Dreaming Writing Brush".

During the Qin dynasy, the mountain was called Qianshan (Black Mountain, because of the granite) but was renamed Huangshan in A.D. 747, in honor of the Yellow Emporor, Huangdi. I don't know when this bridge was constructed (but probably not that long ago).

It is said there are 5 "must-see" mountains in all of China. The following saying is from a famous Chinese poet, which says, "One must see all of the 5 beautiful mountains of China. But once you see Huangshan Mountain, there really is no reason to see the others, as it outshines all of their beauty."

Our guide told us to always be prepared to take pictures, as the clouds can change so quickly, that now you see a peak,

and now you don't.

It's so amazing how the pine trees grow out of the granite rock. One display placard explained that the unique pines to the region emit a CO2 that erodes the rock, providing more space for the roots to expand.

And the trip continues...

FYI...This posting took over an hour for me to create. I'm now listening to Steely Dan ~ Boston Rag, Live 3/20/74.