Travel Notes | Hiking in Kubuqi

Everything I gained from this hike is a great gift to myself in this year of my life. Facts have proved that the bet was right. The team leader is reliable, the teammates are great, and the mutton is delicious. It will become my most memorable hiking experience and a lasting memory.

I particularly like a sentence from Dan Cheng: "What is fearlessness? It is not ignorance or lack of scruples. It is seeing the road ahead but still moving forward firmly ". Although my feet were blistered, even though I could only look down at the road, and although I couldn’t climb up the hill and even knelt down, it was painful and happy at the same time. It can be said that I endured it, just like riding on the top of Qinghai Lake. Just like crawling at night, I gritted my teeth and walked down.

I was worried that my physical fitness was not good enough. I originally planned to run 10 kilometers five times, but after running 10 kilometers twice, the first time the meniscus of my left leg hurt, and the second time the inner side of my right leg pain. I remembered that a few days ago I told others that I would have no problems with my knees when I was young, and it was a slap in the face. The older I get, the more afraid I am of physical problems. I didn’t dare to exercise excessively for three days in a row. Needless to say, running ten kilometers is really boring. Running in circles is just a way to pass the time. As long as my speed is slow enough, distance should not be a problem.

The only thing I know about the desert is the endless small sand dunes and the big temperature difference between day and night. Therefore, you must have sufficient equipment for this hike, 28L mountaineering bag (it does not have a waist buckle and all the weight can be carried on the shoulder), trekking poles (cannot bring them on the plane without them), snow cover , sun hat , magic towel , Emergency blanket, headlamp, rations, water, etc.

For those who have never entered the desert, everything is unknown and all dangers must be considered.

Self-abuse Team A, the original plan was to travel 50km under the stars and night, because the pace was too fast on the first day and they were worried that there would be no place to rest at the finish line in the early morning, so the plan was temporarily changed: 30km on the first day, Longtouguai and Team B stayed together. The next day we took a 10km detour to see the Ant Forest.

Group photo of Team A @gexinchao

Because I believed Master Ku’s words before setting off, you have to follow those who are stronger than you , and I followed Akai’s footsteps all the way, from his two steps = my three steps to his one step = My two steps, both physical and speed, need to be strengthened.

Because I was a novice and inexperienced, I carried 4.5 liters of water on my back. In addition, the backpack did not have waist buckles, so all the weight was on my shoulders. It was so heavy for me to carry it, and I wanted to pour the water directly on the road. , However, as a good boy who is diligent and thrifty, waste is absolutely not allowed, so I can only drink water desperately. Moreover, everyone is so enthusiastic. They feed me watermelon, pineapple, cucumber, beef jerky, chocolate, but I can’t eat dry food at all, which can’t reduce the weight at all. I have to reconsider whether to reinstall .

In is more honest than me. He carried 7 liters of water and other messy things. This comparison is somewhat psychologically comforting. After all, it is not the worst. Although In lent me a hiking pole, I still couldn't help but gloat at my misfortune, laughing at my step.

Every time I see Ge Xinchao running, I wonder, Is this a human being? Why do you have the strength to run and why do you run so fast? Aren't you tired? No trekking poles for the entire journey? Is the pace still that big? People are more infuriating than people.

Master Ku is really strong, and he is an elusive master. I just climbed a small sand dune behind him, and he slipped away all the way, leaving only my back. Maybe Master Ku’s legs have their own ideas and are not under his control. Fortunately, he defected from Team B, otherwise Team B would not be traveling for leisure.

Kneeling Xiaoke @GEXinchao

The most desperate moment on the first day was probably the 10 kilometers to the starting point of Team B - Longtouguai. From 5 kilometers to 5 kilometers to 5 kilometers to 5 kilometers, it was really Five kilometers of despair Ah. My eyesight is bad at night, and I am not very strong. I want to listen to Dudu's Lijiang Love Story, but I find I can't keep up at all What kept me going in the second half was probably the fireworks that looked so close, but were actually still five kilometers away. That was the end of the day! As long as we got to the end, we could enjoy the bonfire party! (It was too late to catch up)

I was so excited to see our Team B teammates greeting us at the 500-meter mark. It was too dark and tired to see who it was , but it doesn’t matter who it is anymore. What’s important is that Despair Five The kilometer is finally over, I want to drink a big ice cold Coke! (The last Sprite I drank)

Dry rice picture @松song

After having enough wine and food, it’s time to go to bed. Although they made an appointment to get up early the next day to watch the sunrise, I was not moved this time because I had not slept well for several nights. I will continue to walk in the A team tomorrow and I need to have a good rest.

Sunrise @Kelly

I thought it would be the same small sand dunes one after another as yesterday, but I experienced crossing rivers, climbing mountains, crossing railways, and taking roads , and I forced myself to increase the total distance to 60km.

Although they said they would be divided into teams AB before setting off, and although Master Ku also said he would lead team B, everyone wanted to take a detour to see the Ant Forest, so they left together (except Yu Lin and Big Brother). It is probably because of the presence of Master Ku that the overall speed of Team B has increased.

Crossing the river @Linsensen

I used to not understand why everyone was obsessed with stealing energy at seven o'clock and zero o'clock every day. It was unstoppable. Ant Forest was just a small game like stealing vegetables from the farm in QQ Space. Until I go deep into the desert and experience the hardships of the desert, Ant Forest is really doing practical things Kubuqi is managed very well. It may disappear in ten or twenty years. Everyone must continue to work hard. Save energy.

Shantao&Small Tree @阿凯

After coming out of the Ant Forest, the goal is Xiangshawan. But , Akai thought the intensity was not strong enough and said that he could not let this hike leave any regrets , but in the last five kilometers of , went to Aobao in the other direction. A small decision led to the forced extra meal later.

xxx

Out of respect for religious beliefs, I won’t include Aobao’s picture here.

After repairing in Aobao, I thought I could go all the way downhill to the exit of Xiangshawan Scenic Area. However, according to Dudu and Xiaoke who did not go up to Aobao and went straight to Xiangshawan, they were dragged to pay for their tickets. . Replacement of tickets? Of course, this was impossible. Akai took out his eight-fold telescope. We didn’t know what we could see. After a while, everyone agreed to bypass the scenic spot from the east side. At this time, Gangtie, Sunshine and Lin Sensen were still struggling to find an exit outside the scenic area.

The long queue @Kelly

Every time you think it’s about to end, God always closes the door and closes the window for you. After five kilometers (five kilometers as long as you are not sure about the distance), you will finally cross the river after passing through the desert. After crossing the river, walk along the river towards the scenic spot and you will reach the boarding point.

Akai getting ready to take off @Children

But , the road ends. Akai's little eyes glanced and focused on the train tracks. So, on the tracks where a train could come at any moment, we climbed up and across the tracks. I have to mention something here, Akai originally wanted to walk through the tunnel to the other end ! What a dangerous idea! For safety reasons, everyone climbed over the tunnel.

Train track @Children

After climbing over this mountain, there is still a higher mountain waiting for us . My physical strength has been exhausted and I can’t climb at all (fake). Ge Xinchao started running! Could it be that after hearing the call of the end, I used my last strength to surpass one person after another? Or hear the tourists on the cable car shouting, “Come on?”

The last hill @小子

After climbing over the hill and arriving at the parking lot, I was so excited to see Yulin waving to us, so I bought myself a bottle of iced Coke to treat myself.

Kubuqi Desert Hiking ended successfully !

Because I didn’t remember to record the track until I crossed the river the next day, the total mileage was a little less than everyone else’s.