Day five of the Chestnut Tree House China trek

REPORTER Tom Cotterill follows the highs and lows of a band of charity trekkers from Sussex as they walk the Great Wall in aid of the county’s only children’s hospice, Chestnut Tree House.
Chestnut Tree House China trek day five - one of the punishing inclines on the wallChestnut Tree House China trek day five - one of the punishing inclines on the wall
Chestnut Tree House China trek day five - one of the punishing inclines on the wall

Day five: A chilly experience but spirits are still high

LAST night was a chilling experience for the Chestnut China Challengers - quite literally.

After the sun went down the temperature dropped rapidly.

Chestnut Tree House China trek day five - trekkers pose for a quick shotChestnut Tree House China trek day five - trekkers pose for a quick shot
Chestnut Tree House China trek day five - trekkers pose for a quick shot

However, this couldn’t lower the spirits of the trekkers as they enjoyed a buffet meal at a small hotel close to the base of the wall at Jinshanling.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After a chilly night’s sleep on firm mattresses, the team was ready for their third day traversing the wall.

For most of the fundraisers, the action started with an gruellingly steep climb up a narrow staircase towards.

Calf muscles were burning after just a few minutes tackling the punishing route, with most of the trekkers gasping for breath.

The route was unforgiving. But, the small pauses for rest did give the group a chance to soak in the breathtaking horizon once more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The day was cooler and less oppressive than the previous ones. Blues skies had been replaced by a grey haze, with mist covering the peaks of distant mountains.

Hannah McCullough is the youngest fundraiser on the trip.

The 21-year-old, of Wiston Avenue, Worthing, has so far been taken aback by the views.

“It’s just those breathtaking moments when you stop and look around and you realise that you have been looking at your feet and then you come up and you’re just lost for words,” she said.

“I think it’s a great sense of achievement. The team work and morale of the group has been amazing.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hannah, who is studying children’s nursing at Surrey University, said she hopes to one day work in a hospice like Chestnut Tree House.

“I did a work placement with Chestnut Tree House at college,” she said. “They’re just amazing.”

The trekkers who opted to tackle the tougher opening section were joined by others from the team, who took the cable car to get on the wall.

They all then trudged on for another three hours, clocking up some four or so miles and hundreds of steps.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chris Harris, of Ancton Drive, Middleton, said the day had been a thrilling one.

The 46-year-old said: “It been amazing. I don’t think that you can really get across how impressive the whole scenery is and the atmosphere behind it — it’s somehow unique.”

The dad of two was joined by Littlehampton’s Jess Thomson, who is a keen runner.

The 24-year-old, of Snowdrop Close, the step were tough but that her running training had helped her through it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Speaking of the day, she said: “It’s been emotional. I felt it a bit more today. I did try call home but I couldn’t get through. But I feel fine. The second day was tough.”

Reflecting on the trip so far, she added: “The most memorable moment was the first time we saw the wall and went up the first bit of stairs to take our first photos.”

The trekkers have two more days of walking along the Great Wall to complete, with Friday’s voyage giving them the chance to rebuild a section of the ancient battlement.

They will then return back to Beijing to have a tour of the city, seeing some of the Chinese Capital’s most historic landmarks, including the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.

Related topics: