located near the city of Huayin in Shaanxi Province, about 120 kilometres (75 mi) east of Xi'an. It is one of China's Five Great Mountains, and has a long history of religious significance.
The most popular walking trail is the traditional route in Hua Shan Yu (Hua Shan Gorge) first developed in the 3rd to 4th century A.D. and with successive expansion, mostly during the Tang Dynasty. It winds for 6 km from Huashan village to the north peak. A new route in Huang Pu Yu (Huang Pu Gorge, named after the hermit Huang Lu Zi who lived in this gorge in 8th century BC) that follows the cable car to the North Peak is actually the ancient trail used prior to the Tang Dynasty, which has since fallen into disrepair.
It had only been known to local villagers living nearby at the gorges until 1949, when a group of climbers with a local guide used this route to ascent to North Peak. This trail is now known as "The Route Intelligent Take-over of Hua Shan" and was reinforced in early 2000.
Huashan has historically been a place of retreat for hardy hermits; access to the mountain was only deliberately available to the strong-willed, or those who had found "the way". With greater mobility and prosperity, Chinese, particularly students, began to test their mettle and visit in the 1980s. The inherent danger of many of the exposed, narrow pathways with precipitous drops gave the mountain a deserved reputation for danger.
Despite the safety measures introduced by cutting deeper pathways and building up stone steps and wider paths, as well as adding railings, fatalities continued to occur. The local government has proceeded to open new tracks and created one-way routes on some more hair-raising parts, such that the mountain can now be scaled without significant danger.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Chang Kong Cliff Road
The potential vertigo-inspired images of 'tourists' (the term is used with poetic licence!)navigating a treacherous foot-wide walkway along a rock face in China's Shaanxi Province.
The Chang Kong Cliff Road on Haushan mountain was built more than 700 years ago by hermit's seeking 'immortals' they thought were living in the mountains.
Anyone brave enough to navigate the path thousands of feet up the sheer mountain-face need to wear a safety harness! I doubt if it has an approved Health and safety certificate!
The Chang Kong Cliff Road on Haushan mountain was built more than 700 years ago by hermit's seeking 'immortals' they thought were living in the mountains.
Anyone brave enough to navigate the path thousands of feet up the sheer mountain-face need to wear a safety harness! I doubt if it has an approved Health and safety certificate!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Weatherman Walking - Episode 2 Series 6
Derek Brockway heads off on a familiar route around Cardiff Bay, using a spot of Nordic walking, with fellow TV presenter Frances Donovan.
This is a walk that was previously undertaken on 20th April 2011, and is viewed frequently by visitors to our site, see our report here.
DB then joins a very active group of mothers and toddlers, the Corris Buggywalkers, for a walk around a peaceful and secluded valley still dotted here and there with evidence of its slate mining past.
You can see the full programme here.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Weatherman Walking - Episode 1 Series 6
A new series of Weatherman Walking with Derek Broackway for 2013.
DB sets off on two contrasting walks - one in rural Radnorshire and the other along the clifftop footpaths and beautiful bays of Anglesey's far north coast.
In Mid-Wales, the first walk is a nine-mile loop, starting and ending in the market town of Rhayader and taking in the Gilfach Nature Reserve along the way. DB then heads to North Wales and a stroll arounf the Angelsey coastal path from Wylfa, through the harbour town of Cemaes Bay to Porthwen.
You can see the full programme here.
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Cream - Live at Royal Albert Hall
Over the years Eric Clapton started to wonder what it would be like to re-form Cream, the seminal band of the 60's. After breaking up in 1968 it eventually took 37 years to find out!
Nothing nostalgic about this re-union.
Clapton almost seems trance-like at the start of the riff from 3 and half minutes into the video.
It took Jack Bruce a month to get his voice back in shape to do this vocal. This is haunting and must be one of the best Cream songs.
The lyrics were written by Jack Bruce one morning when he realised his current relationship was coming to an end.
Nothing nostalgic about this re-union.
Clapton almost seems trance-like at the start of the riff from 3 and half minutes into the video.
It took Jack Bruce a month to get his voice back in shape to do this vocal. This is haunting and must be one of the best Cream songs.
The lyrics were written by Jack Bruce one morning when he realised his current relationship was coming to an end.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Fun on Crib Goch!
Following previous clips of intrepid walkers on Crib Goch,a knife edge arête in Snowdonia, this particular video version is not for the feint hearted!
The literal translation of the name of the arête means 'red comb', presumably referring to the serrated ridge and the colour of some of the rocks.
The highest point on the arête is 923 metres (3,028 ft) above sea level. All routes which tackle Crib Goch are considered mountaineering routes in winter or scrambles in summer—meaning that they must cross "graded territory".
The classic traverse of Crib Goch from East to West leads up from the Pyg track to a "bad step" where there points of contact, i.e. hands and feet, are both briefly needed. It is followed by ascent to the arête, before tackling three rock-pinnacles to a grassy col at Bwlch Coch.
When you have made the decision to start the traverse it is extremely difficult to turn back!
WARNING: This video should not be viewed if you suffer from vertigo!!!
The literal translation of the name of the arête means 'red comb', presumably referring to the serrated ridge and the colour of some of the rocks.
The highest point on the arête is 923 metres (3,028 ft) above sea level. All routes which tackle Crib Goch are considered mountaineering routes in winter or scrambles in summer—meaning that they must cross "graded territory".
The classic traverse of Crib Goch from East to West leads up from the Pyg track to a "bad step" where there points of contact, i.e. hands and feet, are both briefly needed. It is followed by ascent to the arête, before tackling three rock-pinnacles to a grassy col at Bwlch Coch.
When you have made the decision to start the traverse it is extremely difficult to turn back!
WARNING: This video should not be viewed if you suffer from vertigo!!!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Personalised Map Cover
A fantastic new development, launched recently by Ordinace Survey, now allows customers to add their favourite image to the front cover of their personalised map. You can now put yourself on the cover of your very own map!
This latest development is bound to be popular and has been launched just in time for Christmas!
Last ordering date (for postal delivery) is 19 December, so you’ve got plenty of time to get your order in!
Based on the popular OS Explorer Map and OS Landranger Maps, custom made maps give the customer the chance to create a bespoke map centred on any chosen location. Since its launch in Spring 2012, thousands of personalised custom made maps have been created centred on home addresses, favourite walks, holiday destinations and other chosen locations across Great Britain.
This latest advance gives customers the option to create an extremely personal map by uploading any image they wish to feature on the map cover. For example they could upload a picture of their house, school photograph, favourite orange tree or even, if it is their dog walking route, a picture of their dog.
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