Huang shan gui lai bu kan shan." 3

[johnhuangshan]

The first two hours went by like a stroll in a park, except for the steep ascent. But we all had the strength of early-morning breakfast and the climate was a magic of dewy showers and the rays of the sun struggling through cotton clouds. I put on my Discman and drank in the green mountain view before me.
"Tang Wen (my Chinese name :-), let's go! Go! Go! Go!" My testosterone-fuelled colleagues distracted me from my reverie, and off we went further up. Here, the clouds now ruled, fogging everything in its path save for some precious seconds when the mountains and other stone formations reveal their glorious selves. Miss that one chance and it's another five to fifteen minutes of waiting.
But the task of climbing is more urgent now, the steps steeper and dangerously close to unforgiving ravines. We're all struggling to breathe normally, our air-conditioned lungs unaccustomed to thinning air no thanks to the sudden altitude shift. Fainting is not an option and one has to keep his/her senses in proper balance. Or it's the endless taunting, medical attention, or the fall from grace. None of which promises a good story back at the office.
And so in between camera clicks, wobbling knees, heart palpitations, I trudged on aimlessly. My legs suddenly felt like they were walking lead supported by a crutch, every step like being magnetized by earth and never wanting to come up. Always, there is the nagging thought of walking back--at least it's easier downwards.
Panting, near tears, half-limping, my legs numbing, alternative rock music started juicing my nerves up while trekking through spectacles of amazing rock formations, pine trees and misty mountain clouds. I stopped by a spring, the cool virgin water instantly but temporarily taking the load off my tired face, neck and arms...