13-Apr-2004 -- On April 13th 2004 WANG Chuan Lu, WANG Xu and I started our "42124" adventure from Fushun by taxi. The distance from there to "our" point is approximately 15km beeline. It was a quarter to 3 pm and we had sunny weather. We left Fushun in ENE direction and after about 10km (at N 41°53'51,6'' / E 123°59'29,6'') we turned left to follow the road to Sanchazi. We passed the villages Daliu and Taipinggou. But after a few kilometres the road became worse. Finally we had to stop at a small, but for the taxi too big heap of sand (at N 42°00'06,4'' / E 123°58'29,6''). We decided to drive back a few hundred meters and to start walking at the point closest to our destination. Finally we left the taxi after a 45-minute-drive from Fushun and 1,63km beeline distance away from "42124". The whole area is made up of low, forested mountains with heights from about 400 to 500 meters.

Before we could start cross-country walking, we had to solve an unexpected problem. My girlfriend had forgotten to change her shoes. Now she stood there with her high-heeled shoes which were unsuitable for walking. We asked the taxi driver for his size of shoes. The ones he offered us were too big for her, but suitable for me. Unfortunately these were only slippers made of cloth. As we did not want to start again on another day, I decided to take his shoes and to give mine to Xu. Although they were a little too big, walking was at least possible now.

Because of the short distance I thought we could reach the point in about one hour. But in the mountainous area with its sometimes dense vegetation (at that time fortunately without leaves) "wrong-shoe" walking was not always easy. After we had climbed up the third ridge (each approximately 50 meters high) - or was it the fourth? - we decided to turn left (northward) to reach the main ridge. This was a good idea. There it was much easier to move on. Besides we had some nice views of the surrounding area. It was even possible to see Fushun on the horizon. Shortly before we reached the confluence point we saw at least two buildings between the trees. They are built in a valley ENE from "42124". From there is the shortest way to the point. But we don’t know where they are accessible from. Probably from the south, but we cannot exclude a rural road from the north.

About 20 minutes later we reached "42124" at 5.30 pm, on a NNE looking forested slope. We were in a hurry to take all the necessary pictures as fast as possible, because instead of my one-hour-estimation it had taken us two hours to cover the 1,63km beeline distance. Sunset came nearer and nearer.

To shorten the way back we called the taxi driver and ordered him to drive back to the village Taipinggou where he should turn left (eastward) (at N 41°58'23,4'' / E 123°59'01,2'') into the next valley. There is a small reservoir, which we could see from the highest ridge on our way (see photograph). We arranged to meet him there.

After a half-hour-break we started on our way back. We wanted to leave the forest before it became too dark. We managed to reach the narrow valley after thirty minutes. We passed some small fields and reached a footpath, which turned into a rural road after a short distance. In the meantime it became completely dark and we were quite happy when we saw the lights of the taxi. Altogether it took us one hour from the confluence point to the car (at N 41°58'42,1'' / E 123°59'15,1''). Half an hour later (7.30 pm) we arrived in Fushun.

And what about the shoes? Well my shoes were okay, but the ones I had borrowed from the taxi driver were torn. He drove back without shoes... (Of course he got enough gratuity to buy new ones.)

ANGSÜSSER Stephan

p.s. Many thanks to my sister Magistra Anja ANGSÜSSER for the correction.