27:18.40N  99:42.58E

17th April 2011

TIGER LEAPING GORGE, YANGTZE RIVER

Christine and Bunty raring to go with our Tibetan guide, Guisou to do a 2 day trek above the Tiger Leaping Gorge.  The weather is just perfect!  Valerie’s back in Lijiang nursing a streaming cold, and doing the website of the trip so far!

The ponies are close to the beginning of the track, ready to help those unfit for the climb!

This impressive bull is used for ploughing the fields

Guisou offers to take the backpacks on day 2, a good view of the Yangtze river and steep path in the background!

Christine takes time for a breather, it’s a sheer drop down there!

splendid spring blossom and fresh green on the mountainside makes a good place to stop and enjoy the breath taking view!

This pretty farmhouse offers a good place for a lunchtime stop

The farmhouse owners are caring for their little baby  all swaddled up against the cold

aubergines, pumpkin and potatoes offer a good evening meal to fuel the body for the next day’s 28 bends climbing upwards!

A dizzying view down to the bottom of the gorge is also a sheer drop, although see the path straight down?

The loose and rough terrain going up along the 28 bends is hard work!

The top at last, Christine and Guisou take a rest

And Bunty is just thrilled to have made it, especially with such splendid scenery to enjoy!

Isn’t it beautiful? but not way across to the other side without crossing the Yangtze

Walking  downhill is no less gruelling, having to watch one’s footing, the walking sticks help a lot

The next lunchtime farmhouse is delightful also.

apple blossom framing the snow covered Jade dragon  Mountain

Such a steep drop-off, not much room for mistakes!

The balcony at the Half Way house offers a splendid view across the gorge to the Jade Dragon Mountain

Half Way house offers good accommodation for the 2^nd night on the mountain

A kid goat suddenly appears without it’s Mother.  Christine and Bunty offer to help the owners of the lodge to feed it.

The waterfall on the way down is quite full, despite little rain for almost a month.

Bunty and Christine are just thrilled to have done such a marvellous trek, quite a challenge for Christine, who had not done such a long mountainous climb before!

The bubbling Yangtze at the bottom of the gorge, is where Valerie will join them next morning.