The Great Wall

Blooming fruit trees north of Beijing

2009-01-06T07:51:32Z

Fauster
Blooming fruit trees north of Beijing

My first glimpse of the wall at Gubeikou (old northern pass).

2009-10-28T01:22:43Z

Fauster
My first glimpse of the wall at Gubeikou (old northern pass).

"Head back down the road a piece, turn left down the alley and through the village. Then climb the mountain. You can't miss it."

2009-01-06T07:51:06Z

Fauster
"Head back down the road a piece, turn left down the alley and through the village. Then climb the mountain. You can't miss it."

Some of the locals watching me with a wary eye. At least the kids were friendly.

2009-01-06T07:55:38Z

Fauster
Some of the locals watching me with a wary eye. At least the kids were friendly.

Out of the village and working our way towards the ridgeline.

2009-01-06T07:52:54Z

Fauster
Out of the village and working our way towards the ridgeline.

My second view of the Great Wall. Yep... that's where we're headed.

2009-01-06T07:50:30Z

Fauster
My second view of the Great Wall. Yep... that's where we're headed.

A distant portal in the Wall.

2009-01-06T07:53:21Z

Fauster
A distant portal in the Wall.

My guide Cheney as we bushwhack straight up the freakin' mountain towards the Wall. When you're afield with a guy named Cheney, it's best to keep him in front of you.

2009-01-07T17:55:57Z

Fauster
My guide Cheney as we bushwhack straight up the freakin' mountain towards the Wall. When you're afield with a guy named Cheney, it's best to keep him in front of you.

Approaching the wall.

2009-01-06T07:52:45Z

Fauster
Approaching the wall.

Standing on the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall of China. It has not been restored so you get what you get. Time to start hiking!

2009-01-07T17:56:31Z

Fauster
Standing on the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall of China. It has not been restored so you get what you get. Time to start hiking!

Looking back from the start point. The Wall is in rough shape in this direction.

2009-01-06T07:44:49Z

Fauster
Looking back from the start point. The Wall is in rough shape in this direction.

Great views!

2009-01-07T17:53:09Z

Fauster
Great views!

An artsy shot out one of the watchtower portals.

2009-01-07T17:53:31Z

Fauster
An artsy shot out one of the watchtower portals.

Light rain fell off and on for much of the day, which made for a hazy background.

2009-01-07T17:51:06Z

Fauster
Light rain fell off and on for much of the day, which made for a hazy background.

All along the watchtower...

2009-01-06T07:41:27Z

Fauster
All along the watchtower...

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:42:41Z

Fauster

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:42:37Z

Fauster

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:40:24Z

Fauster

An older section of the Great Wall, which is made up of many smaller sections of walls that existed before the unification of China.

2009-01-06T07:47:19Z

Fauster
An older section of the Great Wall, which is made up of many smaller sections of walls that existed before the unification of China.

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:47:28Z

Fauster

Some stretches are all but nonexistent.

2009-01-06T07:48:31Z

Fauster
Some stretches are all but nonexistent.

A steep and rocky climb up to a large watchtower.

2009-01-07T17:51:27Z

Fauster
A steep and rocky climb up to a large watchtower.

A Chinese couple further up the Wall provide some perspective and scale.

2009-01-07T17:31:17Z

Fauster
A Chinese couple further up the Wall provide some perspective and scale.

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:42:49Z

Fauster

Cheney and I were led on a 'detour' courtesy of NoGo Bai Sr., a local farmer who hit us up for a tresspass fee. That old dude could climb the hills with both hands behind his back and a cig ...

2009-01-07T17:32:08Z

Fauster
Cheney and I were led on a 'detour' courtesy of NoGo Bai Sr., a local farmer who hit us up for a tresspass fee. That old dude could climb the hills with both hands behind his back and a cig ...

We were this close to regaining the Wall but NoGo Bei Sr. would not let us go by.

2009-10-28T01:25:19Z

Fauster
We were this close to regaining the Wall but NoGo Bei Sr. would not let us go by.

I'm guessing that the sign is explaining that this is a military reservation area and visitors must reamin on the north side of the Wall.

2009-01-06T07:41:27Z

Fauster
I'm guessing that the sign is explaining that this is a military reservation area and visitors must reamin on the north side of the Wall.

A military reservation on the 'other' side of the Wall prevents hikers from hiking on the Wall at this point. A narrow trail parallels the wall until the end of the reservation.

2009-01-07T17:22:57Z

Fauster
A military reservation on the 'other' side of the Wall prevents hikers from hiking on the Wall at this point. A narrow trail parallels the wall until the end of the reservation.

Masonry details

2009-01-06T07:45:12Z

Fauster
Masonry details

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:42:30Z

Fauster

Walking the narrow path in the shadow of the Wall.

2009-01-06T07:46:21Z

Fauster
Walking the narrow path in the shadow of the Wall.

Finally... back on top of the wall after passing the military reservation.

2009-01-07T17:26:29Z

Fauster
Finally... back on top of the wall after passing the military reservation.

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:40:50Z

Fauster

The West Fire Eye watchtower

2008-12-28T14:48:18Z

Fauster
The West Fire Eye watchtower

The beginning of the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall

2008-12-28T14:48:36Z

Fauster
The beginning of the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall

The Warehouse Watchtower and warehouse can be seen to the upper right.

2008-12-28T14:47:25Z

Fauster
The Warehouse Watchtower and warehouse can be seen to the upper right.

The money shot - looking over the junction of the Gubeikou and Jnshanling Great Walls. The first day's hike is almost over. And no... this is not a PhotoShop job...

2009-01-06T07:46:43Z

Fauster
The money shot - looking over the junction of the Gubeikou and Jnshanling Great Walls. The first day's hike is almost over. And no... this is not a PhotoShop job...

Something we didn't see much of all day - people gathered at the Jinshanling access point.

2008-12-28T14:49:35Z

Fauster
Something we didn't see much of all day - people gathered at the Jinshanling access point.

Looking back at one last steep descent on the unrestored Gubeikou Wall.

2009-10-28T01:27:08Z

Fauster
Looking back at one last steep descent on the unrestored Gubeikou Wall.

Cheney pushed me hard today, especially on the 'detour'. I need to slow him down for tomorrow...

2009-01-06T07:46:55Z

Fauster
Cheney pushed me hard today, especially on the 'detour'. I need to slow him down for tomorrow...

The fully-restored Jinshanling Great Wall. Very comfortable after rock-hopping all day.

2009-01-07T17:16:42Z

Fauster
The fully-restored Jinshanling Great Wall. Very comfortable after rock-hopping all day.

The Jinshanling Wall

2009-01-07T17:16:38Z

Fauster
The Jinshanling Wall

We saw three hikers and three angry peasants over the 11 km hike. Then we arrived at Jinshanling to find that a film production was in process. And Olivia Newton-John was scheduled to arri ...

2009-01-07T15:27:26Z

Fauster
We saw three hikers and three angry peasants over the 11 km hike. Then we arrived at Jinshanling to find that a film production was in process. And Olivia Newton-John was scheduled to arri ...

The plan was for us to have dinner with a "local family". Turns out that the local family owns this bed & breakfast.

2009-01-07T15:29:19Z

Fauster
The plan was for us to have dinner with a "local family". Turns out that the local family owns this bed & breakfast.

The Here Motel. It made my decision to sleep on the Great Wall look pretty good.

2009-01-07T15:26:16Z

Fauster
The Here Motel. It made my decision to sleep on the Great Wall look pretty good.

Dinner at the Here: Firewood Chicken eggs with tomatoes, soup, peanuts and vegetables. None of it was exceptionally hot and I was tempted to have a Cipro antibiotic as an appetizer. Turns ...

2009-01-07T15:21:28Z

Fauster
Dinner at the Here: Firewood Chicken eggs with tomatoes, soup, peanuts and vegetables. None of it was exceptionally hot and I was tempted to have a Cipro antibiotic as an appetizer. Turns ...

A spy shot of the newest KTM thumper. And I thought KTM's were made in Austria...

2009-01-06T14:43:30Z

Fauster
A spy shot of the newest KTM thumper. And I thought KTM's were made in Austria...

The corn cob puppy.

2009-01-06T07:41:44Z

Fauster
The corn cob puppy.

The hostess' baby boy.

2009-01-06T07:42:53Z

Fauster
The hostess' baby boy.

The map of the Jinshanling Great Wall through the Simatai Great Wall.

2009-01-04T00:28:10Z

Fauster
The map of the Jinshanling Great Wall through the Simatai Great Wall.

Sleeping on the Great Wall. A dream come true.

2009-01-07T15:22:10Z

Fauster
Sleeping on the Great Wall. A dream come true.

Looking back at the warehouse from our campsite. This is exactly where the film company set up their camera for a scene that ended where the two gentlemen are sitting.

2009-10-28T01:29:13Z

Fauster
Looking back at the warehouse from our campsite. This is exactly where the film company set up their camera for a scene that ended where the two gentlemen are sitting.

The Jinshanling Wall at sundown.

2008-12-28T14:49:23Z

Fauster
The Jinshanling Wall at sundown.

This is the one... the killer shot that is getting enlarged and going on my living room wall.

2008-12-28T14:44:35Z

Fauster
This is the one... the killer shot that is getting enlarged and going on my living room wall.

A beautiful shot of the Jinshanling Great Wall before sunset. This is the beginning of tomorrow's hike.

2009-01-07T15:24:02Z

Fauster
A beautiful shot of the Jinshanling Great Wall before sunset. This is the beginning of tomorrow's hike.

The Four Direction Platform

2008-12-28T14:51:43Z

Fauster
The Four Direction Platform

Show us yer' SmugMug on the Great Wall of China!!!

2009-01-07T15:21:25Z

Fauster
Show us yer' SmugMug on the Great Wall of China!!!

Sunset over the Warehouse & Warehouse Tower

2008-12-28T14:45:37Z

Fauster
Sunset over the Warehouse & Warehouse Tower

Waking up on the Great Wall of China... Priceless!

2008-12-28T14:43:11Z

Fauster
Waking up on the Great Wall of China... Priceless!

Campsite in the dampness of early morning on The Wall.

2008-12-28T14:43:15Z

Fauster
Campsite in the dampness of early morning on The Wall.

Cheney cooks breakfast while I 'take care of business'. Hey... if you're gonna shit outdoors, you might as well have a view!

2009-01-07T15:22:33Z

Fauster
Cheney cooks breakfast while I 'take care of business'. Hey... if you're gonna shit outdoors, you might as well have a view!

A fully restored watchtower

2009-01-06T07:45:49Z

Fauster
A fully restored watchtower

Bimbo-brand bread, a fried egg and a few slices of pork roll. That's good eatin'!

2009-01-06T07:45:49Z

Fauster
Bimbo-brand bread, a fried egg and a few slices of pork roll. That's good eatin'!

A Great Wall egg sammich. That's good stuff!

2009-01-07T15:20:03Z

Fauster
A Great Wall egg sammich. That's good stuff!

Self portrait. Temperatures were in the mid 40's overnight.

2009-01-07T15:22:13Z

Fauster
Self portrait. Temperatures were in the mid 40's overnight.

Heading out on Monday morning.

2009-01-06T07:35:02Z

Fauster
Heading out on Monday morning.

Walking the restored Wall was a 'piece of cake', as Cheney was fond of saying.

2009-01-07T15:18:04Z

Fauster
Walking the restored Wall was a 'piece of cake', as Cheney was fond of saying.

A walk in the park.

2009-01-06T07:33:06Z

Fauster
A walk in the park.

Take note of how nice these steps have been restored. It got fun later.

2009-01-06T07:30:10Z

Fauster
Take note of how nice these steps have been restored. It got fun later.

We had hazy views to the front (east) all day.

2009-01-06T07:29:18Z

Fauster
We had hazy views to the front (east) all day.

Time for some elevation gain.

2009-01-06T07:29:21Z

Fauster
Time for some elevation gain.

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:30:58Z

Fauster

The Lesser Jinshan (Golden Hill) Watchtower

2009-01-07T15:21:24Z

Fauster
The Lesser Jinshan (Golden Hill) Watchtower

So much for the restored section. It's onto the unrestored section of the Jinshanling Great Wall

2009-01-07T15:18:04Z

Fauster
So much for the restored section. It's onto the unrestored section of the Jinshanling Great Wall

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:32:25Z

Fauster

Not as bad to climb as they look.

2009-01-07T15:13:56Z

Fauster
Not as bad to climb as they look.

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:36:25Z

Fauster

Flowering fruit tree next to the Wall.

2009-01-07T15:14:28Z

Fauster
Flowering fruit tree next to the Wall.

Fauster's photo

2009-01-06T07:35:32Z

Fauster

Cheney pushed me hard all day yesterday, so I fixed him - I encouraged him to drink lots of beer with last evening's dinner then kept him up with my snoring most of the night. Ha! Now I'm ...

2009-01-07T15:15:08Z

Fauster
Cheney pushed me hard all day yesterday, so I fixed him - I encouraged him to drink lots of beer with last evening's dinner then kept him up with my snoring most of the night. Ha! Now I'm ...

Looking forward to the steepest climb of the day.

2009-01-06T07:28:11Z

Fauster
Looking forward to the steepest climb of the day.

A good view of the upcoming climb along an unrestored section.

2009-01-07T15:14:14Z

Fauster
A good view of the upcoming climb along an unrestored section.

Looking back at our progress. Damn... that's a lot of ups and downs!

2009-01-07T15:17:24Z

Fauster
Looking back at our progress. Damn... that's a lot of ups and downs!

Fauster's photo

2008-12-28T14:43:53Z

Fauster

The steepest ascent on the entire hike. Cheney told me that it is an 80% slope. My calf muscles agreed with him.

2009-01-07T15:12:10Z

Fauster
The steepest ascent on the entire hike. Cheney told me that it is an 80% slope. My calf muscles agreed with him.

Fauster's photo

2008-12-28T14:42:42Z

Fauster

The reward for a tough climb? The outstand view. And note Cheney (in red coat) sitting with two other people. I'm betting he was complaining about my snoring while he caught his breath.

2009-01-07T15:12:10Z

Fauster
The reward for a tough climb? The outstand view. And note Cheney (in red coat) sitting with two other people. I'm betting he was complaining about my snoring while he caught his breath.

Can you tell how steep it really was?

2009-01-06T07:36:44Z

Fauster
Can you tell how steep it really was?

The inside of the Great Golden Hill watchtower. No wonder we slept out on the Wall. A lot of these bricks look like they will fall any second...

2009-01-07T15:15:26Z

Fauster
The inside of the Great Golden Hill watchtower. No wonder we slept out on the Wall. A lot of these bricks look like they will fall any second...

Another artsy portal shot.

2009-01-07T15:07:43Z

Fauster
Another artsy portal shot.

Elevation gain

2009-01-06T07:26:34Z

Fauster
Elevation gain

Looking back on a steep incline with no steps. We are now officially on the Simatai Great Wall.

2009-01-07T15:10:21Z

Fauster
Looking back on a steep incline with no steps. We are now officially on the Simatai Great Wall.

C'mon Cheney! Who's the guide here - you or me?

2009-01-07T15:10:06Z

Fauster
C'mon Cheney! Who's the guide here - you or me?

Hard to believe that we hiked all of this in under two hours.

2009-01-07T15:08:01Z

Fauster
Hard to believe that we hiked all of this in under two hours.

At this point, both of us were sucking wind.

2009-01-06T07:30:00Z

Fauster
At this point, both of us were sucking wind.

Just another climb up loose rock and bricks...

2009-01-07T15:07:41Z

Fauster
Just another climb up loose rock and bricks...

Did someone say loose rock and bricks?

2009-01-07T15:03:48Z

Fauster
Did someone say loose rock and bricks?

Looking back towards the Great Golden Hill Watchtower.

2009-01-07T15:05:27Z

Fauster
Looking back towards the Great Golden Hill Watchtower.

Just another brick in the Wall... Sorry, I had to use that line. Notice how this one was signed by the person that made it.

2009-01-07T15:03:22Z

Fauster
Just another brick in the Wall... Sorry, I had to use that line. Notice how this one was signed by the person that made it.

Looking back after a slippery descent.

2009-01-07T15:01:06Z

Fauster
Looking back after a slippery descent.