Traversing Mount Danxi

Traversing Mount Danxi

 

Mount Danxia, a famous scenic area located in the northern part of Shaoguan, Guangdong, China. The Mt. Danxia is formed from a reddish sandstone which has been eroded over time into a series of mountains surrounded by curvaceous cliffs and many unusual rock formations. It is described in local signage as a "World Famous UNESCO Geopark of China", “World Natural Heritage”.

 

 

 

In the early morning of Nov. 27, more than 4000 hikers from all walks of life rallied in Maofeng Park of Shaoguan before their departure for 46 km hike to Mt. Danxia. The hike, which was organized by the municipal government, was a part of the mountain tourism promotion and the celebration of the success of the bid for world natural heritage.

 

Before my arrival at the assembly, thousands of people in red-shirt have already swarmed into the park. Hikers were busy in waving banners, taking pictures and whistling.

 

It was a 46 km traverse through which many small creeks, hills, meadows, construction road, rice field, ponds and even lakes were frequently met and passed through. For some part of it, hikers had to penetrate the primeval forest and uninhabited areas.

 

We began our pilgrimage after a gunfire sound was heard from the organizer’s podium. The faces of all pilgrims beamed with joy and thrill from which the hiking seemed like drifting leaves. All hikers, young or old, male or female, carried backpacks stuffed with food like bread, high-calorie chocolate, water, or medicines like bonesetting liquid, woundplast, or tools like whistles, flashlight. Most of people were immersed in happiness and excitement of the success to be made in completing the walk in a day.

 

The sky was shrouded with dust and dirt caused by the tramps of the thousands of hikers, who were more like vast host of infantry and cavalry. You might have watched the program as Man and Nature on TV. In the program, gnus and buffalo migrated from as far as South Africa to Kenya for thousands of miles. Many of them are unable to finish their trudge and may be killed before they finally arrive at their grassland in Kenya.

 

Before I reached the second sign-up place, which was one of six stops of the journey. This stop was 20 km away from the starting point. My legs, precisely, my thighs began to ache and pain. I could not retreat but march on. Whatever the nut was ahead, I had to crack it.

 

After five hours of arduous walk, I arrived at a remote village at one o’clock in the afternoon, where water was supplied and a brief break was taken. Many hikers fell and slept on the ground. Some of them even refused to go. They were extremely tired, both physically and mentally.

After two more hours lame walk, a mountain was left behind, I eventually reached an isolated village, which was called Ruanshuiken, where many more of my comrades collapsed and were in their dreams. My thighs refused to obey orders from my mental commander-in-chief.

 

The pictures of migration gnus and buffalo in Africa reminded me of the dangers that lied ahead. Whatsoever the dangers and traps might be, most gnus and buffalo successfully arrive at the destination. Some of them, whiling crossing rivers, become victims of the hidden crocodiles or become the preys of some big carnivores, such as lions and cheetahs. Whatever the potential dangers are, migration has to continue, otherwise, they have nothing to do but die of starvation or disease. Thinking of the wildlife, I have no choice but to finish my trudge.

 

Farewell, Ruanshuiken. Farewell, some of my dear fallen comrades, I had to complete the incomplete journey. Finishing the whole excursion was a great challenge to a person like me, who stay before the computer screen all day long.

 

After the arrival at Ruanshuiken, we were in the Danxia scenic area. The road was quite different from the ones we passed through, such as creeks, meadows, forests. It was a concrete road, which was harder for hikers. Anyway, I had to hit the road again. By hook or crook, at 5:40 p.m., I eventually arrived at the Danxia Gate like thousands of others.

 

I successfully traversed the Mt Danxi, I successfully conquered all hardships I have run into, and I have overcome myself.