Yangshuo Climbs 2

Go back to China.
Go back to Yangshuo Climbs 1.

Yangshuo

Safety first.

On the third day, we actually got to use the trad rack that’s been sitting in our packs for nearly two weeks in China. We climbed the enjoyable Witch Woman Of The Rock line on the Brave New World Buttress (well, the last pitch was kind of less enjoyable) after it had gone into the afternoon shade. We had learned our lesson on The Thumb and so when we got to the base of Low Mountain on day four, we opted for the easy and shady L’Echo Des Montagnes route vs. the original, sunny pick. Though the climbing was mostly forgettable, the serene views of the fishermen on the Yu Long River below were a favorite among all the climbs we’ve done in Yangshuo. The descent which involved about 50 meters of spelunking through the formation was also unique.

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Yangshuo

Yangshuo sunrise.

Sadly, we had to say “good-bye” to Ola as our time in China was running out. We cannot say enough good things about her. In addition to being a prodigy (world class climber, perfect English, a masters degree in physics, perfect – as far as we could see – Mandarin, Russian I believe? What have we missed?), she went above and beyond the call of duty babysitting us and provided quite a bit of inspiration for a future return trip to China. We can only hope that she’ll still be there for a few more years…and that she’s willing to put up with our shit once again.

Photos

Yangshuo

View of Yangshuo from Ola’s living room window (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Some minor scooter shenanigans. Ola’s scooter had some starting issues and so we towed it back to town (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Ola and Shirley and a scooter (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Shirley on the first pitch of The Witch Woman Of The Rock on the east face of Brave New World formation. One and only trad climb of the trip (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Leading the fun pitch 2 of The Witch Woman Of The Rock (nice crack system). Photo by Ola – thank you!

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

More pitch 2 action. Click photo for a full resolution version. Photo by Ola (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Shirley topping out on pitch 2 (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Pitch 3 of The Witch Woman Of The Rock (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Shirley nearing the top of pitch 3 (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Shirley on pitch 4 which we had linked with 3 (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Starting up the final and crux (by far) pitch 5 of The Witch Woman Of The Rock (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Shirley above the crux on the crux and final pitch (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Views from the route: urban development impinging on farmlands (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

Shirley loving another pitch of thuggish climbing in the moist heat of southern China (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

And it’s almost beer time!

Yangshuo

Some heavy handed Chinese development on display (Sept. 2016).

The Witch Woman Of The Rock

A mini bushwhack on the final rappel.  Click the photo for a video of Shirley’s short but poignant commentary (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Safety first.

Yangshuo

Morning coffee sesh about to commence (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

A busy gas station (Sept. 2016).

Low Mountain

Our ride parked at the Low Mountain “trailhead”.

Low Mountain

Ba Yue (August), Ola, and Shirley hiking up to Low Mountain. Our planned goal for the day was baking in the sun here (Sept. 2016).

Low Mountain

More shots of the crew and Low Mountain (Sept. 2016).

Low Mountain

When Ba Yue grabbed a stick …you know, to check for and ward off snakes… I took my cue and moved to the back of the pack (like a good little Taliban). Ba Yue, Ola, and Shirley clearing the path of any potential serpents on approach to L’Echo des Montagnes on Low Mountain (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Shirley emerging from the foliage on pitch 1 of L’Echo des Montagnes. This is the low angle western arete of Low Mountain (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

A fisherman on the Yu Long River as seen from Low Mountain. Click the photo for a brief video haiku (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Shirley topping out on pitch 2 L’Echo des Montagnes. Not that memorable climbingwise but the views were some of the best of the whole trip (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Spectacular views from L’Echo des Montagnes on Low Mountain (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Starting pitch 3 of L’Echo des Montagnes. What’re you grabbing there champ? Could it be the rope?!

L'Echo des Montagnes

Another fisherman on the river below (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Shirley arriving at the fourth belay on L’Echo des Montagnes (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Starting the 5th pitch (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Looking back at Shirley from the 5th lead (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

More fishing action (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Topping out on the summit ridge of Low Mountain – pitch 6 of L’Echo des Montagnes (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Shirley on the 50 meter free air rappel (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

After the long rappel, you walk through a natural cave from one side of Low Mountain to the other (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Walk to the light…but not too far or you’ll go for a 30 meter ride down to the ground (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

One final rappel brings you back to the base of Low Mountain (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Yangshuo views (Sept. 2016).

L'Echo des Montagnes

Once at the base of the south face, we used one of the caves to escape the scorching sun while packing up (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Subtle beauty of the area (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Wandering the streets at sunset (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Pre-dawn rendezvous with Ola to hike up to the top of a karst to catch the sunrise (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Panorama of Yangshuo town at sunrise (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Golden hour magic (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

…and a bit more (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

How the magic gets made. Photo by Ola (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Thank you for the fun-filled two weeks Ola (and this photo)!

Yangshuo

More views from the top of the karst with the TV antenna on top (Sept. 2016).

Yangshuo

Don’t know what they’re selling but the labels intrigue me (Sept. 2016).

China

Hong Kong bound via a short hop (Sept. 2016).

Go to Hong Kong.
Go back to China.