This is our first glimpse of it through the smog.

We'd bought the most expensive baguette we've ever purchased (about A$3) at a "Frengh Bakery" and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Nearly forgot to take a photograph.

Its part of the Moshiku Great Wall - we haven't figured out how all the bits are named yet.

There was a very nice notice in the orchards forbidding picking fruit until after the harvest.

Sounded reasonable to us.

Its been another of life's ambitions to visit the wall.

One of those things fuelled by the picture books given for birthdays and christmases.

I've seen lots of pictures, but nevertheless was totally unprepared.

The steps are still usable here though the walls have fallen off.

There's some clue in the background where the wall follows the ridge. Steep on either side.

We are beginning to wonder if the ridges were sufficient to keep the Mongol nomads out without the need for a wall.

A bit hard on the leg muscles.

Beyond that last bit it dropped rather precipitously to the valley floor.

That section had collapsed and there was a convenient (if almost as steep) path around it.

In Ming times it was rebuilt with stone and brick.

The base is stone with rammed earth and rocks in the middle and stone steps.

On top of that was a wall either side made of kiln fired bricks.

The bricks were held together with mortar made of lime and sticky rice. We've also seen reference to eggs.

There was also drainage, the water flowed from this spout (gargoyle!).

This is a watch tower. Its as steep on the other side.

There are some interesting descriptions of the wall.

Some bits are described as preserved, some as restored.

This bit is restored.

Apart from it being generally "square" the bricks on either side appear darker. A different era.

Here it supports some power poles.

It was also a steep bit.

Basically "Section of Wall Closed".

We'd been told we could walk for at least 10 km. However, we turned back for this one as the path through scratchy undergrowth was not very well defined. 

We are becoming a bit whimpy in our latter years.

No restoration.

We found some in the Jiankou section.

Before you ask .. yes ... we were silly enough to climb down this near vertical bit.

Mostly bits to hold it all up.

A bit cold in winter!

We drove to "a fish farm" and asked directions.

We climbed what seemed like about 1000 m in 2 hours to reach the wall.

Perhaps its the location the wall is in that makes it more than just a wall.

I find it rather amazing that the Mongols even got this high in very difficult country.

This was our first view of our stretch of wild wall.

There were a few Chinese around. They took a bit of pity on "an old couple" and offered all sorts of useful advice - including to Susanna to guide us back if we were in difficulties.

He's talking to a party of Chinese wall walkers having their lunch on top of a watch tower.

In the center are a pom and his Chinese guide.

They were a bit stuck and asking for directions.

Our new companion showed them the way.

He climbed onto the bricks and took a longish stride across the gap.

We followed.

Its not as bad as it looks in the photograph, but we did discuss being a bit nervous.

There were a few detours around the really tough bits.

One that I'd turned back on our companion decided to try.

I had one of those "oh sh*t" moments when I appeared below him. He was spreadeagled on the cliff face, facing outwards, sounding and looking decidedly uncomfortable. This is not one of the recommended climbing techniques. There was a 50m drop below him.

I ditched the camera and pack so as to try and direct him to a slightly more tenable position.

Sometimes the line between success and failure can be quite fine. This time it all worked out well.

Almost vertical.

From the top - Pom, Chinese guide, Ali, Susanna.

And it did occur to us that if it is this difficult just walking along the wall imagine what it would have been like building it.

Though we did stop and wonder what we were doing there once or twice.

We had a rest before starting down.

The Chinese medicine is helping stop the cough, but its still there and hard to shake.

I guess if I can get this far I can't be too bad! Though I'm certainly feeling it.

Center top is a watch tower.

We are tired, hot, sweaty, probably dehydrated, and with aching legs.

Just before the fish farm we passed one of those blue "closed" signs. The first we'd seen as we'd left the fish farm by a different route.

We are feeling our age after 6 hours of what may be some of the most strenuous hiking we've ever done.

To put it into perspective, we spent many weekends and longer trips in the bush in New Zealand's South Island (we lived in Invercargill). These mountains are as steep, possibly steeper, than those of Fjordland.

We are due to leave China for Mongolia in just a couple of days. Mostly taken up with driving to the border.

What a fantastic little adventure to complete our China trip.