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Jonathan Yarak | profile | all galleries >> Travel >> Study Abroad in Beijing, Fall 2005 >> ChangBai Shan - National Day Holiday >> Day 2 - Peak Climb, Loop Trail, Tigers tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Day 1 - Heaven Lake, Forests, etc. | Day 2 - Peak Climb, Loop Trail, Tigers | Day 3 - Stone Forest, Cold Springs, NORTH KOREA!!!

Day 2 - Peak Climb, Loop Trail, Tigers

Today Masa and I went alone with our driver back to the mountain. Got cheated on the price I think, but whatever, it was still worth it. We climbed one of the peaks on the side of Heaven Lake, taking a different route up and then went back down past Heaven Lake and met our driver in a different place. You can have a car drive you up to the top of the peak for 80 yuan (~$10), but that's lame. And they drive like maniacs, tyres squealing around every corner, I think they try to make it like a roller coaster so you don't get bored on the way up! It was about a three hour hike up and then about 2 hours to get down. Then our driver took us to a tiger park where they had a bunch of Manchurian tigers, all very touristy and zoo-like, though the tigers were allowed to roam free in a decent sized area.
Walking along the road toward the peak.
Walking along the road toward the peak.		 Getting passed by crazy drivers, they are all Mistubishi Monteros (Pajero).
Getting passed by crazy drivers, they are all Mistubishi Monteros (Pajero).		 More leafless trees.
More leafless trees.		 Abandoned skilift, you can apparently actually ski here in the winter, but I wouldn't want to ride this one!
Abandoned skilift, you can apparently actually ski here in the winter, but I wouldn't want to ride this one!
Note how far down it was with Masa sitting on it...
Note how far down it was with Masa sitting on it...		 Nice view from along the way. The people on the left were a big family we met...
Nice view from along the way. The people on the left were a big family we met...		 ...and they wanted to take a picture of us with their children.
...and they wanted to take a picture of us with their children.		 This area was called The Mouth of the Black Wind, I'd never experienced gusts of wind like that before.
This area was called "The Mouth of the Black Wind," I'd never experienced gusts of wind like that before.
The valley we climbed up the day before, with the waterfall in the background.
The valley we climbed up the day before, with the waterfall in the background.		 Great shot of Masa on the edge, note how much the straps on the backpack were flying.
Great shot of Masa on the edge, note how much the straps on the backpack were flying.		 Two other guys sitting near the Black Wind area.
Two other guys sitting near the Black Wind area.		 Masa and me on the way up.
Masa and me on the way up.
Heaven Lake from the peak, almost everything on the other side of the lake is North Korea.
Heaven Lake from the peak, almost everything on the other side of the lake is North Korea.		 Masa and me at the top.
Masa and me at the top.		 Me chilling out at the top.
Me chilling out at the top.		 On the way down now, that tiny area on the edge of the lake is where we were the day before.
On the way down now, that tiny area on the edge of the lake is where we were the day before.
The main little valley leading up to Heaven Lake.
The main little valley leading up to Heaven Lake.		 Me taking a rest before we head down the rock slide.
Me taking a rest before we head down the rock slide.		 Heaven Lake from about halfway down the slope.
Heaven Lake from about halfway down the slope.		 Note Masa in highlighted area, he was skiing down on the rocks, hehe. Reminded me a lot of the Trough on Long's Peak.
Note Masa in highlighted area, he was skiing down on the rocks, hehe. Reminded me a lot of the Trough on Long's Peak.
There is a Loch Ness Monster-like thing living in Heaven Lake supposedly, so there was a statue to it as well.
There is a Loch Ness Monster-like thing living in Heaven Lake supposedly, so there was a statue to it as well.		 The waterfall again.
The waterfall again.		 More waterfall.
More waterfall.		 Tigers! There were live pigs and sheep on the other side of the fence and this one was trying to get to them.
Tigers! There were live pigs and sheep on the other side of the fence and this one was trying to get to them.
Little baby tiger.
Little baby tiger.		 It's just like a little cat! Except bigger...
It's just like a little cat! Except bigger...		 A big guy out in the main park area.
A big guy out in the main park area.

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