On 21 July I will be ascending Mount Emei in order to view the eclipse of the sun in the morning on 22 July. Mount Emei is one of the four holiest Buddhist mountains in China. It is perpetually shrouded in mist but with luck you can get above this at the summit. Since China is very cloudy in July anyway, I thought the chances of viewing the eclipse were no worse than elsewhere and the setting would be magical.
Emei Shan literally means towering eyebrow mountain. It is a reference to the ridge along the top that looks like a beautiful woman’s eyebrow. Sunrise and sunset over the sea of clouds (if one gets above them) is said to be spectacular so for it to be followed by an eclipse would be amazing. If you do not get above the clouds the sun lights up magic Buddha rays around you as it shines through the mist. I shall wait to see whether my experiences are saintly or spectacular!
Eddie Cochrane took three steps to heaven but it is reputed that in Mount Emei there are a million, so it will be quite a strenuous effort. I hope you will pledge a small amount of sponsorship. It became a UNESCO world heritage site in 1996. Although it is a difficult climb it is a popular one so it will not be an experience of solitude!
