Our last stop of the day: to ascend Jade Dragon Snow Mountain! We’d been thoroughly briefed by our guide the day before that this was not going to be an easy trek, given the sheer height of the mountain. Basically, we start at the park’s main entrance at around 3,000 meters, take a 10 minute shuttle bus ride to the cable car station, and take a long ride up that will bring visitors to an observation platform of 4,506m elevation. From there, visitors can opt to walk up to the higher observation platform at 4,680m – apparently one of the highest in the world.
To get ready for this trek, we’d taken altitude sickness meds that we picked up from home, and also local herbal teas. And we had with us a dozen oxygen cannisters. But the kids and missus finally did not make the trek further up upon reaching the first observation platform: the missus had a headache, and the kids just looked tired. Funnily, I felt great: and solo-ed the walk up. I got to an altitude of around 4680m – I reckon about 70% of the way – before I decided to also turn back. Not because altitude sickness was getting to me too, but that I got mostly bored. LOL. Sure, the mountain is incredible to look at, and the weather wasn’t that cold – but a look at the higher observation platform made me conclude it was not worth the further physical effort, since what I would be seeing there seemed about the same as what I’d already observed up to this point. nd large boulders complementing the incredible landscape.
Pictures!
do I posted this on FB at 4,600m: “4600m (I think) and still feeling pretty good. About to turn 54 years old tmrw Ah Pek still got it. If there was a piano up here I’m fairly certain I could manage a live performance of Kiss the Rain by Yiruma instead of hearing it on a loop over the PA system. Kids and the wife stayed out at the cable car station and didn’t want to attempt the ascent. 4G signal still ok and I can post cute selfies, make jokes and answer work emails while at it too.. LOL.”So, do I think folks who’re not used to such heights try this? From what I’ve seen so far, whether altitude sickness hits even after taking remedies comes down indeed to individuals and luck. We all took both the western medicines and also local remedies, but the missus got headaches as soon as we reached 3,000m. The kids were initially fine until we got to the first observation platform of 4,500m – but in their case, I think it was more about being physically tired as this was mid-afternoon already and our last stop for the day. As for me, strangely, I felt fine and great in fact breathing in the fresh mountain air! I guess it’s a small reprieve from that I’m particularly susceptible to motiojn sickness.
That’s a wrap for Day 04. We’d be leaving Lijiang tomorrow morning and heading to Shangri-La next. To be continued!