Thus it was that after I was prevented from seeing all that much the first time that I went up Sunset Peak by misty conditions (though I did at least manage to spot some Chinese New Year flowers -- pretty appropriately as that hike took place over the first day of Chinese New Year), I resolved to go up the 869-meter-high mountain once more, and in better weather. Approximately one year later, and with a different friend in tow, I was back on Sunset Peak -- and this time, we lucked out in terms of it being a beautiful sunny day with yielded up splendid views of what was up there as well as far away down below... :)
Show most people this photo and I'm willing to bet that
few will be able to tell you that it was taken in Hong Kong ;b
A rocky path leads one higher and higher up the mountain
A beautiful butterfly spotted along the way up
How different that butterfly looks with its wings closed! :O
Vividly blue skies over Sunset Peak's rocky top
Section 2 of the Lantau Trail passes through a section of
the mountain that's home to a number of stone rental huts
I know of one person who's spent a night in one of these huts but,
to my mind, they're way too spartan to be all that attractive -- and
there's the hard climb up (especially with provisions) to get there besides!
So, having finally got to clearly see what's up there,
I was happy to make my way down -- to Mui Wo,
11 comments:
Breathtaking photos! I do always enjoy the photos from your hikes.
Hi YTSL,
Looking at these wonderful photos is enough to convince me that Sunset Peak should be classified as an essential hike. I've done Lantau Peak long ago, but not Sunset. I'm vowing to return and getting an early start, do Sunset, then continue on to Lantau Peak and downward to the monastery.
Bill
Hi Alejna --
I'm glad you enjoy looking at my hike photos. And yes, you're welcome to go hiking with me again when you're next in Hong Kong! ;b
Hi Bill --
I've yet to go up Lantau Peak for a couple of reasons. One is that more than one friend has told me how much their legs hurt after they did so. For another, Lantau Peak has the reputation of being more likely to be misty at the top than Sunset Peak.
Still, I suppose that I'll go up there some day -- but on no account would I attempt to go up both Lantau and Sunset Peaks on the same hike! :O
Hi there,
Back in the 1980's I did it with some Marine Police friends three times starting from Silvermine Bay to Tai O. All following more difficult sections of Lantau Trail.
The first time, it took me nearly a week for the stiff and soar to go away. The second time they went away in three to four days. The third time, I'm almost as new the next morning.
We were hiking in quite a fast speed back then. We stay the night before in Peng Chau and hop on the first ferry (just before six o'clock in the morning) to Silvermine Bay and have Breakfast there. The hike would usually start a bit after seven.
For the first section we did not walk along the road. Instead we went into the villages and walked up the Nam Sham Ancient Trail, which is generally a boulder trail. Have you tried this route before?
The toughest part were after decending from Ngon Ping to South Lantau Road and then up the slopes again. My legs would usually started to feel very heavy by then. But our small team would walk on. We usually ended up in Tai O a bit after 1600 hrs for a Vege late lunch at Siu Kei Yuen.
I wouldn't probably be able to hike with that speed these days. Anyway, our trick then was to try to accelerate, or keep a close to constant speed while going up for as long as you could, but hold back while coming down on the other side. This is essential especially when you are tired. The practice would need a bit of time getting used to before you could find your unique rhythm (for both your steps and your breathing).
Fond memories.
T
Hi T --
Wow, you're fit (then)! :O
Yes, I've been on the Nam Shan Ancient Trail. Definitely prefer it to the section of Lantau Trail that involves going by the side of what's actually a major road down to Mui Wo.
I've been told by friends that the Lantau Peak trail leading down to Ngong Ping is terrible for the knees because the steps are really big and on very hard rock.
When you went to Tai O from Ngong Ping, did you go all the way along the Lantau Trail? If so, I really am in awe of your achievements! :O
Hi there,
Those were the good old days when you were young.
I think we did it twice all the way along Lantau Trail and once by a small path next to Yin Hing Monastery at Sum Wat Road. That path led us to Limg Yan Monastery at Keung Shan, then we follow the main road to Tai O. The path down Yin Hing Monastery went through quite a few village-ful of Buddhist sites and is basically deep in woods. You have all the tranquility of it while keep yourselves quiet and making as little noise as possible. But the path is clear.
The view is much better following Lantau Trail as it is basically on the ridges or close to the top. On the other hand, the Ng Yuen at Lung Tsai was still in its prime back then (http://www.oasistrek.com/lung_tsai_ng_yuen.php).
T
Hi again T --
I've done the bulk of the Lantau Trail -- but I usually do just one stage each time. Envy your youthful hiking exploits and your having gotten to see the still photogenic Ng Yuen in its prime.
Hi There,
Going down is always worse than going up as you have to reserve some strength to handle gravity. I have developed an certain method going down hills, which worked for me for both steps and walkable slopes by putting the weight on my hind leg and use it to lower my other foot down instead of putting my full weight on my fore leg (which most people does). If someone is looking at my profile while I am doing that, my gait might be a bit funny, or even awkward. But those who had practiced some martial arts or dancers might know what I'm talking about.
This took some time getting used to and actually need to burn more energy, but once I got the hang of it, it is fine. Knees feel better. If it is a long hike downwards I would still be stiff and sore by the end of the hike, but it would usually go away next morning.
T
Hi once more T --
Going down is often worse for me psychologically as well as physically because I've discovered while hiking in Hong Kong that I have a fear of heights! This fear's not as bad as that of a few friends I know but it can come into play on especially steep hills -- which is why another Hong Kong hill I've yet to climb (and probably never will) is Sharp Peak! ;(
Hi there,
I guess having a certain issue height is sort of normal. Unless you are one of those who would be paralized by difficult slopes you should be just fine in town. I have huge issues with cliffs myself......
T
Hi T --
Yes, I'm fine in town for the most part. Have felt a bit freaked out on high balconies of a few friends' apartments though. Definitely don't want to live on an upper floor of a super high building! ;S
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