I must be mad!!!!!! ………..just signed up to trek the Great Wall of China in April 2010. It’s gonna be 11 days of sheer pain, but all for a good cause - The Helen Rollason Heal Cancer Charity.
You may or may not know, but I was diagnosed with skin cancer (Malignant Melanoma) in September 2005. Being told you have cancer is extremely frightening, you always fear the worse but I pulled through following an intensive 6 months course of chemotherapy administered by my lovely nurse Jo, together with the support of my family. My Oncologist Consultant Professor Neville Davidson is the President of the charity – hence the link. Although I was lucky and didn’t need the support which the Helen Rollason Charity can provide, I wanted to raise money so that others would benefit from their support and expertise.
The Trek itself is a mammoth 11 day journey covering approximately 80km, on average trekking 5-6 hours per day. The Great Wall itself stretches 6000km in a dotted line across China. Building the Wall began in the 5 Century BC. I will trek through woodland and terraced farmland following the contours of the beautiful hills and mountains. I will walk on old sections of the Great Wall, as well as restored sections. I have been told that there are lots of steps to conquer, that’s if they don’t conquer me first!!! I will be stopping overnight in small hotels and local farmhouses so may have to give up on the everyday necessities and leave my straighteners at home!!!
CHINA - Trek the Great Wall
8 - 18 April 2010
Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart London for Beijing
Day 2 - Arrive Beijing
Day 3 - First view of Great Wall - trek around Huangyaguan
Day 4 - Climb 'Heavens Ladder', over 200 steps, following mountain ridges and Wall to a small village - Gubeiko
Day 5 - Trek up steep paths alongside the Wall to Jinshanlin
Day 6 - Longest trek from Jinshanlin alongside a well-preserved section of Great Wall - zip slide across the lake
Day 7 - A stunning walk up carefully restored steps taking us to the mountains one last time to Simatei
Day 8 - Explore the Mutianyu section of the Wall; fabulous mountain views
Day 9 - Hilly trek of restored wall at Juyongguan
Day 10 - Back to Beijing - visit the Forbidden City
Day 11 - Fly home to London
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