Chinese mountain of death. Mount Huashan China - Death Path - why is it called that

It is in the central part of this country that the mountains sacred to Taoism are located. Excursion to Mount Huashan death path will give you an unprecedented experience, because it is the most dangerous footpath in the world.

Mount Huashan

This mountain consists of 5 peaks that form the silhouette of a flower, from which this place got its name. Huashan is located in the Shaanxi region and is one of the significant mountains for Taoists.

This mountain attracts not only pilgrims and wanderers of Taoism from all over the world, but also attracts many tourists, because it is not just a nice place. Here, in addition to beautiful landscapes, many celebrate beautiful temples, gates and bridges, ancient monasteries and mysterious caves. All this can be seen by going on a tour of these sacred Taoist places.

You can explore these places both on a walking tour, for which several routes are provided, or take the funicular, which is easier and safer. But the funicular operates only up to the North Peak, therefore, in order to see all 5 peaks, you will have to do it only on foot.

Adherents of the culture of Taoism go upstairs exclusively on foot. Since the ascent is not an easy task, they stay overnight at the top to renew their strength and continue the pilgrimage.

death trail

On the way up there are not only paths, but also bridges with steep ladders. Remarkably, there are not only hanging stairs, but also steps carved into the rock. Most of the climbs are steep, so you need to be prepared for physical activity. Most short route will take at least 5 hours.

You need to be prepared for the fact that there are paths that are quite dangerous. To pass them, individual insurance is attached to everyone, because one wrong step can cost a life.

But this journey and feelings are worth it, no one can forget such a journey. You simply cannot find such a place as here in China, it is worth the attention of all tourists. Mount Huashan The trail of death awaits all extreme sportsmen, will amaze with incredible landscapes and historical monuments.

If you talk to climbers, skyrunners or cyclists, they will tell you that trekking is just the little brother of outdoor adventure. fresh air: it goes too slowly and lacks adrenaline.

But this is not always the case, some of the most dangerous adventures, despite the fact that in essence they are a simple walk, can put the traveler face to face with real dangers that threaten the risk of death.

Here we present the 10 most dangerous campaigns in the world:

• 1. Huayna Picchu, Peru Death Walk Road.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be a difficult trek and it takes a few casualties each year. But the real danger begins when you follow the footsteps of the past in mythical city to Huayna Picchu, this trek is better known as the "Death Trek".
The old Inca staircase is carved from granite and rises to a height of 300 meters; at the same time, these steps are rotten in many places, rock falls often occur, the stones underfoot are rather slippery and wet ...
Clouds and fog often obscure dangerous twists and turns over open chasms, and hikers often have to hang on to old steel cables.

Climbing this road is the easiest part of the journey, but descending often causes panic attacks among tourists.
But still, this path is worth it to see the beauty of the mountains on a sunny day and enjoy the view of Machu Picchu, which lies at the foot of Huayna Picchu

• 2. Trekking to base camp Everest

Because of a large number hiking trails, trekking is very developed in Nepal - tourists have the opportunity to get to know beautiful nature this country.

To understand how diverse trekking is in Nepal, you can simply get acquainted with the proposed routes. The most popular route is the "Three Passes", as well as the track, end point which is the camp of climbers at the foot of Everest.

The trek to Everest (8848 m) is an opportunity not only to see eternal ice and heavenly masses, but also people from all over the world, full of courage and courage, ready to challenge the highest. Here you will see the most famous Buddhist monastery Tjangbochi, and at dawn climb the Kala Patar peak (5545 m), from where you can enjoy a majestic view of Everest and the famous Khumbu glacier, the peaks of Lhotse (8501 m) and Nuptse (7879 m).
The route is interesting primarily for those who would like to try themselves in the world of mountaineering, heights and require good health from the participants.

Spur of one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, Pumori, - the best place for those who want to look at the pyramid of Everest (Chomolungma, Sagarmathi, 8848 meters) from the southern, Nepalese side, but are not able to pay tens of thousands of dollars or simply do not want to climb the southern saddle, Lhotse, Nuptse, Pumori itself and other seven and eight-thousanders in the area, from where, of course, Everest can be seen better.
If you live in a former Soviet Union, you are a little physically prepared, you have at least two weeks of time, a warm jacket and a sleeping bag and at least a thousand dollars - you can walk along beautiful country Sherpas to the top of Kala Pattara - the very spur of Pumori - and see one of the wonders of the world, the highest peak peace Everest.

Of course, any person following simple rules and guided by common sense, he will be able to go through a simple route alone or in the company of nice people, without getting sick, without dying, and even enjoying what he saw.

There is one main condition - do not rise quickly! Height can kill you, it's very serious. During the autumn season of 2001, that is, in about 2 months, 15 people died from altitude sickness in its various manifestations on the way to Kala Pattara. Do not repeat their mistakes, do not climb more than 400-500 meters per day after 3000 m above sea level, plan two or three acclimatization days, and at the first signs of altitude sickness (headaches, nausea, euphoria, incoherent speech) - sharply , immediately down! without waiting for the morning, and the lower the better.
Usually a descent of 300-500 meters is enough to save a person from death, and soon he will continue on his way as if nothing had happened.

• 3. Mount Hua Shan, China

These photos may make you dizzy. Picturesque and terrifying at the same time mountain path V Chinese province Shaanxi.

It's hard to believe, but this narrow wooden path through Mount Huashan was built on almost vertical rock about 700 years ago by hermits seeking immortality deep in the mountains.

The path is so narrow that one wrong step can lead to tragedy. Fortunately, tourists passing through it are protected by a special safety cable. But it’s scary to even think about what will happen if it breaks.

There are no official accident statistics, but according to local rumors, about 100 people die on this trail every year... If these rumors are true, then Mount Huashan is the deadliest peak in the world.

This route has seen many deaths throughout its history, and in 1942 it was the scene of fierce fighting between the Japanese and Australians.
For a long time this route was in oblivion and desolation, until in the last decade a tourist boom unfolded in Papua, and travelers rediscovered this 100-kilometer route that runs along the outskirts of Port Moresby to the village of Kokoda.
Since then, the route, which generally takes between 4 and 11 days, has chalked up six casualties.
Throughout it, tourists face malaria, heat, cold nights, and daily heavy rains in the afternoon, soaking them to the bone. On this route, tourists mostly go ankle-deep in mud and clay, stepping over huge slippery tree roots, and streams, which often turn into real turbulent mountain streams and waterfalls in conditions of tropical downpour.

• 5.

"The Grouse Grind", Vancouver, British Columbia

"The Grouse Grind", Vancouver, British Columbia

There are many beautiful trekking routes around Vancouver, British Columbia, and The Grouse Grind is not one of them. This is a short route with a climb of 850 meters over just 2 kilometers. But being on this route 2830 steps makes this path one of the most stepped. That is why some climbers and fitness trainers use it for training.

Since 1999, 3 people have died on this trail, in addition, about 80% of the rescues in all of Vancouver are on this trail, on average, 12 rescuers are required to complete one rescue operation.
The main causes of accidents on the trail are falls, attempts to pass at night, the loss of the route line and the wandering of a person in the forest ...

According to statistics, 55 people died on this route until 1985, after which, apparently, the country's officials got tired of counting the tragic statistics, but despite this, this route still takes human lives every year.

"Dragon traverse" is a 65-kilometer walk through the territory national park Natal national park), and which reveals to the traveler some of the most beautiful alpine reliefs in the world.

The most difficult part of the route is considered to be two fragile stairs at its very beginning, which go to the crest of the ridge, on which, together with tourists, there are animals that are driven out to pastures ... But overcoming these difficulties is worth such an effort, the tourist eventually ends up in a beautiful natural mountain amphitheater, the area of ​​​​which is three times more area .

If you want to see with your own eyes the landscapes from the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" directed by Peter Jackson, you should go to the mountains of Mount Aspiring National Park in south island New Zealand.
However, at the same time, you can skip the route passing through the Cascade Saddle, this is an 18 km trekking that takes 2 days and goes through the most beautiful beech forests and alpine meadows.
Despite beautiful landscapes opening from this route, in the last few years, at least 12 people have lost their lives on it. Basically, the cause of the tragedy was the careless crossing of the waterfall.
Local authorities V Lately even made a proposal to either rebuild the route or close part of it to make it as safe as possible.

This route along the Aonach Eagach ridge is considered one of the most impressive in Scotland. The route is 6.5 kilometers long, passes through the Glen Coe Valley, crosses two ridges and Mountain peaks, and offers tourists the best panoramic views in the country.
In addition, this route passes along a steep scree, sometimes located at the very edge of the cliffs, and steep grassy slopes on both sides of the trail make it impossible to get off the ridge in case of unforeseen weather situations.
It is on the ridge that most of the problems begin for tourists who try to get off it before climbing to the top of Sgorr Nam Fiannaidh peak (960m). This route has recorded several fatalities every year.

The Kalalau trekking route runs along the coast of Na Pali in Hawaii, this region is the most isolated place in the jungle of the country, here tourists can observe steep slopes huge volcanoes and a virgin ocean beach at the end of the route.

But the 35-kilometer crossing in both directions through tropical paradise can change very quickly.
On this path, tourists must cross three mountain rivers, which in rainy conditions can turn into deadly mountain streams in the blink of an eye, in addition, tourists are very often at risk of rockfalls, especially at raging waterfalls, where the path is especially narrow.

Many hikers have died and many have been injured on this trail, but the narrow passages are not the best. great danger route, more than 100 people died while swimming on the beaches of this trail, and locals living near this trail can sometimes be aggressive...

The Royal Path (Spanish: El Caminito del Rey) is a structure consisting of concrete and crutches driven into the rock and railway rails. The trail is located between the Chorro and Gaitanejo waterfalls in the El Chorro Gorge near Alora in Malaga, Spain.
The road is located at a very large distance from the ground, its length is 3 kilometers, the width is only 1 meter.
The trail is currently in a very dilapidated condition.
The handrails are destroyed almost everywhere, in many places the structure itself is also destroyed, therefore, for safety reasons, this path is officially closed for tourists.

The Royal Path was created at the beginning of the 20th century (in 1905) as an auxiliary path for workers employed in the construction of the Conde del Guadalorce hydraulic structure (dam), from one side of the canyon to another. After the construction was completed, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, in order to attend the opening ceremony of the dam, walked along this path, watching the construction, and in honor of this the path was called "El Caminito del Rey" - the Path of the King.

Despite the fact that officially the Royal Path is closed to the public, many people who are not afraid of heights still pass it, specially stretched along the most dangerous places a path where there are no longer handrails.

Only mountains can be better than mountains, and it's hard not to agree with that. China is an amazing country full of natural and man-made miracles. After the post about Mount Yaoshan in Guilin, I would like to continue this topic. Let's fast forward from Guilin one and a half thousand kilometers north to ancient capital, the city of Xian (Xi'an), 130 kilometers east of which stands Mount Hua Shan.

closest to the mountain Big City– Xian, it is from there that most visitors come to the mountain. Buses from Xi'an leave for Huashan starting in the early morning, the journey takes approximately 2 hours (distance 140 kilometers). You need to look for the bus in the square near railway station, which is near the gates to the city and the fortress wall. Attention! Do not confuse with the station for high-speed trains, which is located in the settlements. For the way there, we paid 22 yuan per person (2014 price), the return trip cost already 38 yuan. Good advice: always look at how much the locals are paying and protest with all your might if they demand more from you. No one tried to deceive us on this particular bus, but there were incidents in other regions. And yet, do not focus on other tourists, only locals. For example, on a bus on the way to rice terraces couple in guilin European tourists paid for tickets for 80 yuan, while the real price was 20. And they were not embarrassed by anything! Holy innocence. You can also get to Huashan Village by train, but I don't see much point in that. Firstly, a train ticket is more expensive, and secondly, you will have to take another taxi from the station, while the bus brings you to the entrance to the park. Yes, the buses are modern and quite comfortable, these are not minibuses where you need to sit bent over in three deaths and eagerly catch air from a narrow window.

Perhaps the most important question when planning a visit to the mountain is whether it is possible to do it in one day from Xi'an and return back in the evening. The main conclusion is that you can visit the mountain in one day and return back to Xi'an is absolutely real. Since 2014, this has become even easier. The fact is that quite recently a new cable car was built to the western peak. In the most recent edition of the Lonely Planet guide at that time, and it was in May 2014, they still did not know anything about the new cable car line.

For starters, here is the current map of the mountain, click to open big size. Note that north is at the bottom of this diagram. The Huashan plateau consists of four peaks: northern, western, southern and eastern. The northern peak is the lowest (1615 meters), it is through it that the ascent to the top will begin. Two roads lead to the northern peak: hiking trail, which very quickly turns into a series of stairs with almost vertical rises in places, and a cable car that quickly and effortlessly takes you to the northern peak. We went upstairs on foot and the entire ascent took us exactly 2 hours. As for me, there was nothing terrible in this ascent, I can’t say that it was very difficult. Of course, you need to soberly assess your strengths and remember that the load on your knees will be crazy. You can go down the mountain northern peak, having previously described a full circle through all the other peaks, and returning back, either from the western peak. The second option is much more attractive in terms of time, because you do not need to return back to the northern peak. The passage between the northern peak and the main plateau takes at least 2 hours, don't believe Lonely Planet, who claims that this distance is overcome in half an hour.

So what do we have. The first option is for the laziest or if time is running out: you climb the northern peak on the cable car, go to the western one and descend in the same way. It will take about three hours for everything.

The second option is personally tested and described later in this post: hiking to the north peak (2 hours), from there to the west (another 2 hours), from the west to the south (about an hour) and from the south peak through the heavenly path in a small circle back to west to the cable car station will take another hour. Add to this a total of 4 hours on the road from Xi'an and back and it turns out just a whole day.

Another option came to my mind after visiting Huashan. If your path further lies in Beijing, or you are going to Xi'an from Beijing, and this is very likely to be the case, you should consider this option. Some high speed trains Xi'an-Beijing stops in the village of the same name, which means that it is not necessary to return to Xi'an on the same day if the transfer to Beijing is scheduled the next day. Optimally, as for me, it would be to stay for the night in the village of the same name. In the morning, arrive from Xi'an, take a leisurely walk on the mountain, go down in the evening and spend the night in the village of Huashan, and take the train to Beijing the next morning. Or vice versa, on the way from Beijing, get off at Huashan, spend the night, climb the mountain early in the morning and leave on the last bus to Xi'an.

By the way, you can spend the night at the very top. Here are the prices for the “heavenly” hostel.

At the beginning the road goes along the gorge practically without gaining height, this is the most boring section of the route. You just go straight and nothing happens.

Porters are constantly climbing the mountain. It can be seen that physical labor in China is worth nothing, because the same thing could be lifted by a cable car.

So they go up and down, there with goods, and back with waste. Prices at the top are 3-4 times higher than the earth, but do not be afraid. A bottle of water, which usually costs 1-2 yuan, will cost 4-5 yuan at the top, and if a portion of “earthly” pies costs 5 yuan, then you will have to pay 15 yuan for a portion of “heavenly” ones. That is, even the inflated prices are still divine and very far from European or American, where out of the blue they fight so much that you want to spend your next vacation again in Asia.

We go there! The smooth road quickly ends and a string of stairs begins. The Chinese literally built a staircase to the mountain and in some places carved steps in the stone walls! Remember Mount Yaoshan? The Chinese will not go around, only straight! In Europe, climbing such a mountain would take a whole day along a long serpentine through forests and fields, but this is China.

All stairs are equipped with handrails. Do not forget to buy rag mittens, they will come in handy. They are sold at any kiosk, and if you forgot, grandmothers along the way will be happy to sell them to you.

Height gains very quickly. With each next step, the views are getting better and better, you don’t notice fatigue at all, you just want to go up and so that the road does not end.

West Peak, height 2038 meters.

This grandmother climbed Huashan on foot, are you really weak? :)

Here is the northern peak. We must pay tribute, all tracks and transitions in excellent condition. Everywhere there are railings, garbage cans, toilets (free!), There is no danger in the ascent. Even special shoes are not required, light comfortable sneakers will be just right.

The Koreans have a halt for lunch.

View of the western peak from the northern one.

On the northern peak.

Cowboy Myalorbo.

Why not El Capitan in Yosemite?

The northern peak is a little distant from the rest of the plateau, it is like an extended appendix to the main array of three peaks. The hike from the northern to the western peak took us two hours. I would like to personally communicate with the person who wrote in the Lonely Planet guidebook that the same distance takes half an hour.

One of the most famous views of Huashan is the climb from the northern peak to the western one. The western peak is 400 meters higher than the northern one, so the trail climbs monotonously, gaining 400 meters in height. I don’t understand where the figure of 30 minutes came from, the fact that the author visited the mountain is doubtful. By the way, you need to consider that there may be traffic jams at the top! Domestic tourism in China is blooming and smelling, so there is a risk of getting stuck at the top in a crowd of Chinese grandmothers. We were lucky and there were relatively few people that day, so 2 hours is without traffic jams.

The northern peak is left behind.

The Blue Dragon Ridge is the entire trail. To the right is the cable car station at the northern peak.

Cable car going to the western peak.

Blue Dragon Ridge, on the way to the western summit.

Pay attention to the columns with flashlights.

Would you like to have tea on the 2160 meters high mountain? How about getting an adrenaline rush along with a constant fear of death? If you agree to this, then you should visit the most dangerous hiking trail in the world on Mount Huashan in China, climbing which you will go straight to the tea house.

Ever since the 2nd century BC, when a Taoist temple was built at the foot, Mount Huashan has been the most important place for Taoists. Since that time, monks and pilgrims have lived on and around the mountain. In order to get to one of the five peaks (on one of which the tea house is located), a whole network of very dangerous paths was laid here.

Together, these peaks form lotus petals. In connection with the recent influx of tourists, the trails have been strengthened. Even so, it remains the most dangerous hiking trail in the world and has a bad reputation. The "Path of Death" is made of narrow boards that hang over a bottomless abyss, without any railings or fences. Some parts of the trail are terrifying, so it's best to look where you're going... and it's best not to look down. According to uncertain data, up to 100 people fall from these trails every year.

In some places, the locals also carved steps, making a staircase with a railing. In other places, iron chains are the only security measure (before, the locals just walked on planks). Some daredevils, having taken the first step, turn to stone with fear, unable to disengage their fingers and move, which is not at all surprising.

Despite the fact that the trail is "famous" for its bad reputation, many adventurers come here to test themselves.

There is less and less left on earth fewer seats where no man has gone before. In particular, they (these same legs) got to steep slopes Huashan mountains. And since it was not possible to get around the mountain, we had to lay a real path of death on its slope.

Where is Mount Huashan

The mountain itself is located approximately in the center of China, 120 kilometers east of the city Xi'an, in Shaanxi province. Just 20 kilometers to the northeast, you can see the bend of the famous Yellow Yellow River.

Geographic coordinates 34.477797, 110.084682

Mount Huashan

In short, it is worth saying directly about Mount Huashan. This western mountain Five Great Mountains of China. In fact, the mountain has several peaks. It was originally classified as a mountain with three peaks, but it is now generally accepted that it has five peaks. The highest is the South Peak with a height of 2,154.5 meters (according to other sources, a height of 2,160 meters).

At the top of the mountain is a tea house, which is actually one of the many Taoist temples located on the five peaks that make up Mount Huashan. Considering that the first inhabitants of this region were monks and led an ascetic life, their daily meditation was accompanied by a cup of tea.

Thus, gradually the temple became a tea house, which is visited by thousands of tourists every year. But getting to this secluded place is not so easy. The tea peak of the mountain is located on its south side, at an altitude of 2155 meters. Following the path of death, you can get to the top.

death trail

Many people annually go to conquer one of the most dangerous hiking trails in the world. No wonder it is called the path of death. It consists of rickety ladders and planks nailed to rocks. Each step of this road is accompanied by a powerful release of adrenaline in any person.

The road to the top begins with a large staircase called the Heavenly Staircase. At first glance, it leads to the sky. This is a kind of ascent into the clouds, since it is unrealistic to see where the steps end, and there are thousands of them.

On the way to the top you can see houses and even small villages. However, the road does not end here. This is just the beginning and the most accessible part of the journey. Once you are on the south side of the mountain, one of the most dangerous routes in the world awaits you.

This part of the path is made of thin boards that are fixed to the side of the mountain. To keep your balance, you must hold on to the chains, which are also attached to the slopes. Sometimes small holes in the rock can be used. There are practically no security features here.

We think that when (and if) you get to the end of the road, the tea at the top of the mountain, combined with adrenaline, will be incredibly tasty.

Someone overcomes a crazy path just to prove something to themselves or tickle the nerves (for themselves and those close to them). But in the world there is a real road of death Yungas. People use it only because there is simply no other way.

The myth of the path of death

Many sources claim that the death path is the only way to the top of Mount Huashan. But it's not. In fact, you can get to the top more than easy ways. 2 cable cars lead respectively to the two peaks of the mountain. And the path of death is just another attraction in the expanses of the Middle Kingdom. But the attraction is really dangerous. A visit to the trail of death is paid.

Recently, various security systems have been introduced, for example, safety ropes.
Be that as it may, the path of death definitely deserves attention, at least for the views that open from it.

Don't forget to visit the legendary Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. It is located about 70 kilometers west of the death trail, near the city of Xi'an.