Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) Hike

Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in the world. The tops of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5596 meters high) and Haba Xueshan (5396 meters high) to the Yangtze river running between them is at least a 2000 meter drop and as much as a 3900 meter drop. If a proposed series of dams along this portion of the Yangtze continues, the canyon will obviously be irreparably altered. (The government is actively lobbying the UN to remove Tiger Leaping Gorge's World Heritage Designation so the dam project may begin) There is an upper trail (which we hiked) and a lower trail (which is mostly a dirt road closer to the river). We hiked from Qiaotou to Tina's Guesthouse, where the upper trail meets the lower trail. Tourbooks and internet sites made it sound like this would be a much more difficult hike than it was. The trail would have been impassible in bad weather but we had perfect hiking weather. There was a very steep stretch but, because we were expecting a far harder climb, we had finished that portion of the trail before we even realized we were at the hardest part of the hike. Finding hiking provisions was a bit problematic because we couldn't eat most fruits and vegetables--we ended up buying nuts and pastries at a bakery, which worked out well. We got to Tina's Guesthouse just before dusk, where our driver was waiting for us. He desperately wanted to get on the road but we were starving so we scarfed down a post-hike snack of fried rice, french fries, stir-fried vegetables, and beer. The drive back was slow and bumpy but the driver got us back safe and sound. A perfect day out!

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Very early on, the trail passes right past this school. We peeked in the open windows briefly, took a blurry photo, then moved on.

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We quickly rose above the fog settled into the bottom of the gorge.

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Just like all hikes, Bill kept having to wait for this slow person who kept lagging behind. Except that in most hikes it's the other way around.

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Anna's blazing a trail among the clouds

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A rooster surveying his domain. Or maybe he's just lost. (roosters have small brains)

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A terraced farm with a beautiful view.

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Resting at the Naxi family guest house. We were surprised by how well-stocked the guest-houses along the trail were.

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Posing for a picture at the Naxi family guest house.

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Posing along the gorge. It was getting quite sunny.

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We think that this is where a tiger supposedly leaped across the gorge to evade hunters. It must've been one heck of a strong tiger.

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Thomas is skeptical about all this tiger-jumping business.

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Another little town.

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Resting in the shade of a pretty tree.

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Yet another farm with a view

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We came across these horses inexplicably toting huge pipes down the mountain and lost the trail briefly in the confusion. After circling around a house two or three times we eventually figured out where to go.

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Pig sty (with a visiting chicken or two)

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Farmyard

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Among the towering rocks.

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As we rounded a bend we could see the lower trail, which our driver would use to take us back to town. It was a bit treacherous--but we made it safely.

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This old lady was bundled up while smoking a pipe and regarded Bill (wearing shorts) as if he were a three-headed martian. Actually she only laughed in bemusement and went back to smoking.

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Returning to the sunlight.

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Corn.

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Kids frolicking and learning how to be goats.

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Imposing peaks.

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A herd of goats is coming right for us!

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Nice goatee

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Waterfall across the trail

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Following the pipes to the waterfall

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The sun is getting lower in the sky

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Nearing the bottom of the gorge and the end of our hike.

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Each of us saw something different in this cloud formation.

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