Mei Li Snow Mountain 梅里雪山

After a night of toilet visiting, we were visibly exhausted, but we were also determined to continue the trip and enjoy it as much as we could possibly can. We travelled in our little jeep and listened to very interesting music along the way. There were songs by Xu Wei 许魏 and also some african style music which the driver played throughout the trip. It was indeed very enjoyable, travelling on mountain roads and listening to such cool music. Along the way, we went through Moon Bend or 月亮湾 and we pulled over to snap some shots.

The driver is the guy beside MC and the guide is the guy standing beside me.

The major climb

After lunch, we began our ascent. We had all decided that we were not going to take the horse ride up the mountain and climb it on our own 2 legs. When we began the climb, the guide told us that we were going to climb over the mountain in front of us. Initially, I thought he was kidding. However, I realized after the entire climb that it was no joke. We indeed climbed over that mountain to get to the peak to see the glacier 冰川 as well as the peak of Meli Snow Mountain. The ascent took over 4 hours and by the time I reached the top of the mountain, I was exhausted. Food poisoning, the lack of food, the immense climb and the high altitude was definitely a deadly combination. I remember huijing asking me after 1 hour of climbing, “Edwin, if I just stay here and wait for you guys, do you think its safe?” huijing, I think you are glad that you did not give up, right? The site above was quite beautiful. Although we never saw the highest peak of the snow mountain (the peak which stood at 6742 metres above sea level and that no one had ever climbed up before.), it was still a sight to behold and the experience and feeling of overcoming the mountain was greatly satisfying.

(A story about the mountain. There was an expedition once to climb the mountain, but halfway up the mountain, the snow tumbled down and engulfed everyone but a single Chinese guy. The story continues that all the trekker’s bodies were found on the side of the mountain that the snow tumbled down except for 1 body. The body of a Japanese trekker was found on the other side of the mountain. It appeared that the mountain shared China’s sentiments about Japan. True story, by the way. Another belief is that when ever there was a Japanese that looked upon the mountain, the clouds would cluster and hide the peak of the mountain.)

Yunnan really has alot of mysterious places that is worth exploring. Another place our guide told us to visit in Yunnan was a waterfall (not sure what the name is) that when people who are good by nature will not get wet when they walk through. The real story tells of a group of traveller who went there and 1 guy did not believe in that story. He walked through and did not get wet. Eventually, on their way back to Shangrila, they had a car accident and everyone survived except that guy who did not believe and was wet when he went through the waterfall.

One other place was a place that when you stand there and clapped your hand, the sky would immediately rain down upon you. The rain would only be on that spot and no where else. Amazing, isn’t it? The guide said that he had been to all these places and experienced it all for himself before! I think I believe him!

Anyway, back to the climb … it was definitely an exhausting climb and the “fatter” dong bei gal that was with us really very noisy while she was climbing up the mountain. Way too much energy to complain about being tired!

When we eventually reach the foot of the mountain, it was 3 and half hours later. It was already dark! I continued walking non-stop all by myself in front because I knew that if I stopped, I might not continue anymore. Furthermore, walking faster was slightly more comfortable than making a slow painful process down. When I reached down, I told huijing that I was going to buy a coke when I reached the village. She told me that she was singing the “I like to give the world a coke” tune on the way down. haha!