30th May 2005

 

At 958 metres above sea level, Tai Mo Shan 大帽山, literally Big Hat Mountain) is Hong Kong's highest point (coincidentally the name also sounds like Big Fog Mountain - which the peak is normally is covered in).

 

With Tony leading the way, we follow the MacLehose trail section 7 and 8 to the peak of Tai Mo Shan (BTW, for you die hards, the MacLehose trail is the site of the 48 hour endurance race held every year).  After finding the right section to start on (past the Shing Mun Resevoir) we head straight up to our first steep ascent - the aptly named Needle Hill.  From there it was a long hike through to Lead Mine pass (via an unscheduled long - short cut) and up the rocky (volcanic rock) path up to Tai Mo Shan to catch the setting sun.  After watching the sun set, we finally make our last push up the mountain toward the foggy peak.  Having nothing to see at the top because (a) there's just too much fog and (b) you can't actually get to the top because of the fencing around the weather radio installation, we make our way down the mountain pass great view sof Tuen Mun and the famous Tsing Ma Bridge.