Leeds

I doubt anyone actually still reads this but anyway. I'm moving to Leeds in december to start a Phd, which will hopefully last about three years. It's about wind turbines...
Plenty of gritstone, limestone and rivers near Leeds to play on so should be a good laugh.

Yanshuo - end of the trip

It was such a relief to escape from the big red truck and have a litle freedom. We flew from Lhasa to Guillin, and within 12hours we had a comfortable air conditioned hotel in Yangshuo. It was such a massive culture shock to be in a noisy, hot, sweaty touristy town again but we soon got used to it. I stayed for three weeks, and each day was much the same as the last - get up, buy food, go climbing. Didn't take many pictures as it was really hazy and humid most of the time.

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

The climbing is awesome, I think there are about 500 routes on the limestone karst towers, which are in general steep, juggy and very well bolted. There are some trad lines, but why would you want to?! Due to the heat it was unusual to get more than about 5 routes done per day. It was great climbing with Sebastian and Zamora, we seem to climb at about the same sort of level, ticking lots of 6b+ - 7a. We met up with Jean, who we had last seen living in a cave in Chattru in Northern India. I guess the traveling-climbing-bum world is a small one.

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

It was not much of a surpirse when we found out that Hot Rock had failed to obtain the permits for climbing in SiguniangShan, and so had enjoyed two weeks of driving only to catch us up in yangshuo. Error.

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

I got the night bus to Hong Kong, sat around for 12 hours (which was more than enough) and flew home. The End.

From Yangshuo + Hong Kong

Western China and Tibet

Internet access was pretty limited in China hence no update or pics. We entered the PRC from Pakistan and drove to Tashkurgan, where we had to wait for three(?) days whilst various visas, permits, driving licences and liason officers were arranged. It was a very modern-feeling down with plenty of luxuries after a month in Pakistan. Once all the beuarocracy was sorted we drove to Kashgar, via a quick stop at Karakul Lake and Mustagh Ata. I'd been thinking about trying to climb MA but given out tight schedule it wasn't really realistic.

From Western China

From Western China

Kashgar was a fairly big city, and one of the most interesting and diverse I have been to. The population was drawn from all the neighbouring regions - Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Kazakhstan. Some belive this area of China should be an independent 'Turkistan'. Recently there had been an uprising of the Uighur people against Chinese discrimination and ill-treatment, resulting in a massive Han Chinese army presence. Squads of soldiers were sposted at every street corner, wielding rubber bullet guns, pick-axe handles, and grenade launchers. Naturally any photographs taken of these boy soldiers resulted in a severe talking to from their supior officer if caught. The atmosphere in the city was fairly tense.

From Western China

From Western China

We had a two day excursion to see Shiptons Arch, which apparantly is the tallest rock-arch in the world. It is quite surprising that it still stands, as is composed entirly of a mud/pebble conglomorate. Some of the more reckless members of the group climbed onto it's shoulder, thankfully all returned safely.

From Western China

From Western China

After Kashgar we drove for a few days into Tibet, via a high pass at 5400m! After the city of Ali we arrived at Darchen, a small filthy village at the foot of Mt Kaliash - the holiest mountain to Hindus, Buddhists and followers of Bon. A group of use started the traditional trek ('kora') around the base of the mountain. Unfortuanlty we had to be accompanied by our irritating liason officer, so I stepped up the pace a little and lost the group after about half an hour. The kora was through amazing scenery with regular glimses of Kailash. It is forbidden to set foot upon the mountain itself, and I believe it is still unclimbed, despite some attempts by disrespectful westerners.

From Tibet

From Tibet

From Tibet

From Tibet

The kora is 52km, and reaches 5600m. I took 15 1/2 hrs, as after about 10 hours I decided it would be too cold and unpleasant to put up the tent and try to cook some food, so just plodded onwards till I got back to the hostel in Darchen. The rest of the group arrived after the statutory 3 days, as recommended by Lonely Planet ;-)

From Tibet

Another day or two driving got us to Everst Base camp. It was a stunning view. The base camp itself was clean, tidy and quite small - a bit different to Nepali one I believe.

From Tibet

From Tibet

Then some more driving to Shigatse and then to Lhasa. Amazing city which despite the massive Han Chinese invasion, still retains many traditional monastries and interested back streets.

From Tibet

From Tibet

Then five of use decided to sack Hot Rock and fly to Yangshuo for some actual climbing...