Stairway to Heaven (rc)

We just got back from yet another cultural festival. This one was a race in Huang Shan, otherwise known as the Yellow Mountains. Our group of 30, representing 9 countries and many of the colleges/universities in Hefei, met at a nearby hotel, quickly bonded (!), loaded the bus and headed south. What we were in for was anyone's guess. We only knew we were going to be in a race, the scenery was touted as beautiful and we'd be in a hotel that we hoped would have truly HOT water. For the next seven hours our eyes took in the sites: cities, villages, construction, small farms, vibrant yellow and white blossoms on tea plants nestled into the terraced hillsides, fall colors in the trees and common in China, more construction.


Tea flower blossom


Still very much fall here

With every inch of land in use the one thing we didn't see was wide open spaces. The vast landscapes we have come to know and love were nowhere to be seen. Late afternoon had us unpacking. Or rather, Tom was unpacking. I was in the bathroom checking the water temperature ... HOT! Dinner and a stroll through the market provided the evening's entertainment and then it was off to bed. A 5:20 wake up call meant an early night for all.

The morning found us all donning the matching sweatsuits we were given as race participants, men in white t-shirts, women in orange. Although not exactly a match for our red, white and blue sweats, we realized later what a nice splash of color the orange added to our pictures. Arriving at the base of the mountain, we were led to a line of 50 or so Chinese women each holding a sign displaying the name of a country or group being represented.


Part of our U.S. delegation


A sampling of the countries represented

We took our place behind our Chinese hostess as the traditional litany of introductions and introductory speeches began. Eventually all 200 contestants were led 20 feet away to the starting line and before we knew it, we were on our way. The runners shot across while those of us with cameras and a less serious, or perhaps more sane approach began our walk. It was a walk with a decent clip but nonetheless it was a walk.


Serious participants!

Our fairly short first stretch had us on a switchback lined road which led to a stone stairway, our trail for the remainder of the hike. Hiking four miles straight up on a stone stairway was definitely something new for us. We'd never seen so many continuous steps, let alone climbed them. Even the Great Wall had long stretches without steps. But here there was one direction and one direction only, up!


Steps, steps and ...


more steps

So up we went for the next 2 1/2 hours. Small platforms in between flights of stairs served as a welcome reprieve for our weary legs.


Sometimes you need to create your own rest areas

The views motivated us along the way and the pushing, shoving and screaming conversations of some of the locals motivated us, too. In fact, they might have been more the reason behind our cardiovascular workout than the steps! Flat topped yellow mountain pines graced the sheer granite cliffs rising up into the white-gray sky. Their silhouetted peaks gave a splendor to the hike that became more apparent as we left the forest.


Can you beat these views?




Simply stunning

Dylan, otherwise known as #402, was the first in our family to cross the finish line. Leaving the rest of us in his dust, he took to the steps with a vengeance and made it to the top with enough time to appear rested and refreshed by the time Molly, Tom and I arrived. The pinkish glow that says you've pushed yourself remained on our faces through lunch but with full stomachs and not feeling as tired as we might, a small group of us decided to extend the hike a bit by going another three miles. This time our destination was a cable car that would whisk us down the mountain to our waiting bus and fellow hikers. They had perhaps chosen the wiser route, a cable car ride requiring just a 10 minute walk from our lunch spot.


Both of these guys are rested and ready for more



The first ascent had me wondering if we had made the right decision but clearly we had. Stunning views, 2 wild monkeys within an arm's reach and porters hauling loads like you wouldn't believe up the mountain greeted us along the path.


Truly amazing


An incredibly heavy yet not uncommon load

Everything from people, fruit/veggies and full 5 gallon jugs of cooking oil to stacks of overstuffed bags piled one on top of the other laced together with a rope was being transported. The rope eventually secured the entire load onto a flat wooden pole extending beyond the porter's shoulders on either side. Perpendicular to the weight bearing pole was another empty one used to balance the load. With calf muscles bulging and neck muscles straining, they would maneuver their way along the path dodging the multitudes of tourists with an occasional stop for a rest or to make a sale. Although surrounded by beauty, they have one of the most difficult jobs imaginable.

By the day's end we felt both refreshed and tired. But it was a good tired, the kind that comes after a hard workout, and climbing a 4 mile high stairway definitely qualifies as a workout! So now we've gone from singing stars to athletes in a short two week span. With over a month left the opportunities for us seem endless.