Hitting the wall

Set off at 8.00am for Simatai for a 10.5k hike of the Great Wall Jinshanling section. I figured this should be no problem at all. In reality, this confidence was a little short-sighted as the 10.5k trek was up and down flights of ancient broken steps

The fact my flat soled plimsoll type shoes were completely inadequate was of secondary importance as we took in the truly wonderful scenic landscape while humming this song from my childhood

As with any popular touristy attraction, we found local traders in abundance. In fact, they outnumbered tourists. You would ascend 900 steps for one to pop out from behind an opening trying to flog anything from a hardback book on The Wall to a warm can of beer. They must have been doing something right though, as Paul purchased several "I walked the Great Wall of China and survived" T-Shirts...

There was a reward waiting for us at the final stage though. We all zip wired off the edge of a mountain to take us back to down to a waiting boat for the final trip back to the car park.