sean Posted February 19, 2008 Via Mt Huashan Hiking Trail You are about to view pictures of what has to be the most dangerous Tourist Hiking Trail in the world. After you see the pictures, I have little doubt you will agree. Mt. Hua is located in the Shaanxi Province of China. It stands to the south of Huayin City, 75 miles east of Xian. From the map, this mountain is located close to Himalayas of Tibet. 'Shan' means 'mountain' in Chinese, thus the name 'Hua-shan'. This is not mountain climbing. Mountain climbing involves using advanced equipment and skill honed through experience. Instead you will see a public trail used by anyone foolish enough to give it a try regardless of their physical ability or previous climbing experience. It is said there are frequent casualties. I was unable to drum up any confirmation for this allegation. Nevertheless, my own eyes tell me how dangerous this trail is. In certain parts, one mistake and you will fall to your death. For example, take a look at the icy stairs in the picture! Mt. Huashan is not some neglected little spot in the middle of nowhere. Quite the contrary! Mt Huashan is one of the five sacred mountains in China (the other four mountains are Mt. Taishan in Shandong, Mt. Hengshan in Hunan, Mt. Hengshan in Shanxi, and Mt. Songshan in Henan.) Sean Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mentalground0 Posted February 20, 2008 man oh man the photos from that site you linked to are intense although my mind says i'd love to do it and see those amazing views i know my huge fear of heights would kick in at least someone is brave enough to go out there and take photos for the rest of us Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mantis Posted February 20, 2008 feel bad for the guy who installed the planks hahahahaha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mentalground0 Posted February 20, 2008 feel bad for the guy who installed the planks hahahahaha oh trust me i thought of that [shudders] that guy had some big cohones Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeblast Posted February 20, 2008 Funny I was JUST talking about this with my brother about 20 minutes ago! I would absolutely LOVE to visit this place. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clearclouds Posted February 20, 2008 was there in the winter of 2003. Amazing place although they close some of the more dangerous paths due to the ice and snow. It was great as there were only a handful of people there instead of huge groups of Chinese and Japanese tourists with megaphones and flags stayed on Nth Peak and trained one sunrise with full moon on one side and rising sun on other... .perfect Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFox Posted February 20, 2008 (edited) Y'all haven't seen anything until you see the monk doing tai chi chuan right up to the edge of his peak. Its amazing! Yes, its a dangerous place. But absolutely breathtaking. Edited February 20, 2008 by RedFox Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VCraigP Posted February 20, 2008 Y'all haven't seen anything until you see the monk doing tai chi chuan right up to the edge of his peak. Its amazing! Yes, its a dangerous place. But absolutely breathtaking. Was there in 2004. BTW my avatar shows a Taoist sitting on a tree on Huashan with 3000 feet exposure below him! There are many many quite safe trails. It is a wonderful place. Amazing vistas abound. There are incredible stairs carved out of the granite running up and down the mountain. So much granite. Reminded me of Yosemite with a more humid climate. If there were as many crazy rock climbers in China as in the US Huashan would be covered with ropes and chalk marks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gendao Posted February 20, 2008 Holy shhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I'm honestly curious what the annual fatality rate is there? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pietro Posted February 20, 2008 I'm honestly curious what the annual fatality rate is there? I think that Daoist perspective is: the more risky it is the more people will pay attention. Thus the fatality rate should be very low. Possibly less than incidents at home Craig, I would love to see more pictures of that tree. I always wondered if sitting on the edge, and dissolving fear was a very smart thing to do or a very stupid thing to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VCraigP Posted February 20, 2008 I think that Daoist perspective is: the more risky it is the more people will pay attention. Thus the fatality rate should be very low. Possibly less than incidents at home Craig, I would love to see more pictures of that tree. I always wondered if sitting on the edge, and dissolving fear was a very smart thing to do or a very stupid thing to do. Pietro I cannot tell a lie. I stole that tree sitting picture from Michael Winn's website somewhere. Though I do have more pics of Huashan. Rock climbing to me has always been an exercise in ONE POINTEDNESS. I you are up on a wall with limited or no safety equipment you damn well better be paying attention to what is most important IN THE MOMENT. Even better than getting in the ring and having someone trying to hit you. Craig Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoda Posted February 20, 2008 I've only done one climb like that where if I had relaxed one hand it was all over. I found my concentration to be quite good, but still, I plan on never repeating such a drill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeblast Posted February 21, 2008 Growing up with climbing cliffs right across the street, I've climbed a bit...although never the significantly high stuff you need ropes for...always wanted to, never knew the people or had the chance. I've climbed a bunch of stuff over there that I probably should have had ropes for, but went for it anyway in the absence. Of course, I used to climb on my parent's roof when I was like 10 as well More pics from that link in Sean's first post that I didnt notice earlier.... Sorry, you posted more images than you were allowed to? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cameron Posted February 21, 2008 I've only done one climb like that where if I had relaxed one hand it was all over. I found my concentration to be quite good, but still, I plan on never repeating such a drill. When Yoda visited me in Phoenix we went hiking in Sedona. He took his shoes off for the entire hike and when we got to the steep part(not even remotely anything like Hua Shan) he was up that sucker in like a minute. It took me atleast a few minutes to get up. When he talks about the Chinese people laughing as they walked past him I could totally see that. Some poeple can just do crazy stuff like that and not be bothered by it. I don't know how high I would get but am sure by the time I got to that plank walk with nothing but a chain to keep you from sure death I would tell my friends I'll see you in a couple hrs and head for the bottom, that looks crazy, the steep climb after the plank walk looks like a death wish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wun Yuen Gong Posted February 21, 2008 Imagine living in that house or temple on the top of the cliff you have no other choice to be one with Tao as you wake up to that beautiful scenery and at night with the moon and stars?! That was absolutely Beautiful how great this world is!!! Is there any pics of WuTai Shan like this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gerard Posted February 21, 2008 Hey, you guys in NA have some places that are truly breathtaking as well. Tetons, Yosemite Valley, Arizona, Utah. Nothing to envy the Chinese sacred mountains. Start cultivating in those areas so that you can build up a lot of spiritual chi I wish I had stuff down here in flat Down Under. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeblast Posted February 21, 2008 (edited) http://alverson.wordpress.com/2006/12/11/huashan-video/ Dont know why 2 of these arent showing up...they are spectacular though! Edited February 21, 2008 by joeblast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mantis Posted February 24, 2008 *ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh* crap, there goes another one Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeblast Posted February 24, 2008 hahahahaaa....actually I think in those spots there are places you can rent a harness and clip on, just in case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
agharta Posted February 24, 2008 Who's that dude in the picture in your most recent post, JoeBlast? It looks a little like Plato Rosinke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dao zhen Posted February 25, 2008 Huashan Dragon Immortal Cave Huashan North Peak Temple Complex Huashan Chess Board Pavilion Huashan South Peak Temple Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joeblast Posted February 25, 2008 agartha, that guy's pics were in the link in Sean's first post DZ, nice pics, thanks!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trunk Posted February 25, 2008 I feel sorry for the mail man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
