Huashan (one night from 26th to 27th)

Huashan! It is one of China's 5 big mountains and a must for every rock climber. We took the midnight train from Xi'An to Huashan which was a two hour train ride eastbound. Then we bargained for a black taxi that drove us to the entrance of the park. Since it is 24hours open, we were able to enter the park at 2.40 am after waking the entrance staff up. They opened up the gates and the climbing started, in the pitchdark. As you can see, we slept ahead with some company. The last meal before the big tour. At the entrance.

These pictures have an exposure time of 15 seconds, that night we could hardly see the hands before our eyes. This was one of the narrowest and steepest inclines, where only iron chains, running left and right, gave support. To give you a better impression, use this link for a video.

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/1000965

We climbed on top of the Northpeak in three hours and continued to the Eastpeak for another two hours in order to see the sunrise. My fake jacket which is supposed to be breathable, was completely wet for a couple of times, so that I had to switch sides every once in a while. Plus the wind made us freeze, so standing around without moving was not an option.

Tired after more than five hours of climbing Huashan, we are waiting for the sun to rise at 7.40 am.

That is a part that we climbed @ night...
...and this one too! In total, we spent more than ten hours up on Huashan. Luis and Thomas were finished big time, here back at the hostel in Xi'An.