Shaxi (沙溪) - Mapingguan(马坪关)

 

9th, Sep, 2022, Cloudy

      After reading the sad news about the passing of Queen Elizebath II (May the Queen rest in peace), I decided to go for a long hike today. I knew one day would be enough to go back and forth to Mapingguan(马坪关). Simply unsure whether I should proceed further to Misha village, which was recommended by Qiao. She said that Misha was a very nice place to just stay for a day or two. I asked people around in the courtyard, nobody elses seemed to be interested in Misha village. Well then MPG first. 

      Friday is market day, people from nearby villages all come to Shaxi to sell their products. Most locals stuff their baskets full and store food for the coming week. 

      I brought some fruits and vegetables then hurrily packed for today's hike. Since I did not have enough time to prepare for food, I bought myself some buns while passing by the market. Forgot my kneepad, with no trekking poles, it would not be an easy day for me.

      Walking toward Dengta village (灯塔村), I soon arrived to a road sign which indicated the old salt-horse road was on the right. I never doubted that this was the 2-hour salt-horse road (apparently not) but why the GPS said it would take at least 3.5 hours? Anyhow, Mapingguan was the goal for today and this was the way.

      Having walked past the small village, I followed the only one way to the mountain. Several tombs scattered along the way closing to the village. I took some nice photos of Shaxi and then continued my trek. 

 

      The stone road was not very nice to walk on. Several times, I had to walk on the sides where there were a bit of flattened out.

      It seemed that I was the only stupid one hiking on this "hiking trail". Except for a few minivans and motorbikes passing occationally, there was literally no one insight. The phone signal was weak all the time, it was not until I reached the first village did I received some proper 4G signals.

No. 9 = 9km.

After the No. 9, I arrived to the first village.

      Right before this village, I saw a guy putting some tree branches onto his trike. I was so happy to finally see someone that I could talk to. I walked up to him and asked how far was it to MPG. He told me 6km. Great! 6km was not far! I asked what were the tree twigs for. He said they were for his goats. I thought MPG was the only village here but apparently not, he told me that there were three villages. Unfortunately, apart from the one that he lives in, I did not see any proper villages. 

      A dog was baking horrifyingly, the stick in my hand did not make me feel stronger. I hurrily walked past the 2 or 3 houses and tried to finish my last 6km as soon as possible. The whole way was a long boring dreadful trek. I would not do it again if given the chance.

      After this No. 14, Mapingguan was almost there. 

 

 

 

      I was fairly disappointed when I arrived MPG. It was just a tiny small village which I did not even want to went down to explore. Standing in front of the road sign, I was in a dilemma: whether to go back to Shaxi, or continue to hike to Misha Village since both ways were 15km. I sat down by the road side for a few seconds to figure myself out. Suddenly, I saw an old farmer burning dead tree branches underneath not far away from the highway. I shouted, "Hello Uncle, is it far away to walk to Misha Village from here?" "Why didn't you take a van? If you walk fast, 3 hours is enough." He answered. "Thank you!" Considering I did not bring phone charger and any clothes with me, It was better for me to head back. 

      Another 15km on the long stone road was not fun at all! I had to be hurried otherwise I would not be able to reach Shaxi before dark. I tried to walk faster, but I started to feel the pain on my unhealed knee. I used two tree sticks as trekking poles but it did not seem to work well. What's worse, several vans were going to the direction to MPG but not a single one to Shaxi. At about 18:00, I was lucky enough to stop a minivan and got a free ride back to Shaxi. 

      Now I think about it. The better way would be to take a bus/van to Misha and then hike all the way back to Shaxi.