Walk on 18th December 2011 - North Ridge of Sharp Peak
- Details
- Category: General
- Published on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 06:48
- Written by K W Lee
- Hits: 578
| Distance | Duration | Elevation | Level of Difficulty |
| 15 km | 7 hours | Lowest: 0m Highest: 460m |
 |
Meet / Place: 8:50 am, Diamond Hill MTR - Hang Sang mini-bank
(please note revised meeting time in order to catch the 10:35am ferry to Ko Lau Wan)
Route:
Wong Shek Pier > Ko Lau Wan (by ferry or speed boat)> Nam She Wan > North Ridge of Sharp Peak (Up) > East Ridge of Sharp Peak (Down) > Mei Fan Teng>Tung Wan Shan>Tung Wan>Tai Wan > Ham Tin Wan> Chek Keng> Pak Tam Au.
Warning:
This is a 3-boot hike and is intended for seasoned hikers as it involves climbing up and down the narrow and uneven ridges of Sharp Peak. The area is very exposed and subjected to the strong easterly wind. You should have a good sense of balance and a sturdy pace to brave the relentless push of the easterly wind. You are advised to bring a pair of gloves and wear hiking shoes with good traction for this hike.
We will meet at Hang Sang mini-bank inside Diamond Hill MTR Station and take bus 96R [journey time about 65-75 minutes] to Wong Shek [黃石] Pier for the ferry to Ko Lau Wan [高流灣]. Depends on our timing and number of Trampers, we may take the ferry or speed boat to Ko Lau Wan to start our hike.
Details of route 96R can be seen: http://m.kmb.hk/en/result.html?busno=96R
Ferry time table to Ko Lau Wan can be seen: http://www.td.gov.hk/tc/transport_in_hong_kong/public_transport/ferries/service_details/index.html%23k03
The first part of the hike is a warm up along the coastline of Nam She Wan all the way to the base of Sharp Peak. From sea level, the Sharp Peak looks awesome and it will take a substantial part of our strength and will power to tackle the uneven and narrow ridge all the way up to the very top of Sharp Peak. Once atop the Peak, we will start decent quickly down the east ridge as it may be too windy to stay. Lunch break and short stops will be scheduled as appropriate. The hike will end at late afternoon and it will take 35 minutes for the bus ride back to Sai Kung.
Remember to bring all the usual gear, in particular sufficient water, hiking shoes with good traction, sun block, a hat, a pair of glove, and a warm jacket / wind breaker. The walk will be cancelled if it is raining or threatening to rain (thunderstorm warning). If in doubt on the morning of the walk, call the hot line 8209-0517. Please don't be late.
We were there on 4 April 2011 and you may retrieve previous photos in Trampers website to see the interesting and spectacular views from Sharp Peak.
http://www.hktrampers.com/Mambo/content/view/573/24/lang,english/
Note:-
(a) Please note that this walk a may finish late due to a host of different reasons. The duration given on top of this walk proposal is only a rough estimate. We may have to walk longer than the estimated time and so there is a possibility that we'll walk in the dark (i.e. after sunset). It is prudent that you bring a torch / headlamp with you to this walk.
(b) Please note that the hike leader is a volunteer and so you cannot and should not expect him to do everything in the walk. During the walk please assist other Trampers. If you are not prepared to help, please do not join this walk.
Disclaimer:- There is potential danger and risk of injury in any hike and this one is NO exception. Take necessary precautions and join only if you think you're up for it. People join this walk at their own risks. I am a volunteer and provide a platform for hikers only. I will assume NO liability and I shall NOT be held responsible in any way, directly or indirectly or as a consequence of, for any injury or death incurred or any loss or damage to personal property caused due to whatever causes including, but not limited to, negligence, neglect, errors of judgment and inadequate orientation skills on my part. The fact that you show up at the time and place on the day to join the hiking is an implication that you have agreed to and accepted unconditionally this disclaimer.
K W Lee
Comments
Eight trampers braved the continued temptation to lie in cosy beds at home on a chill Sunday morning and arrived at 8:50 am in Diamond Hill MTR to join the Sharp Peak rendezvous. On the bus to Wong Shek Pier, we met unexpectedly the father and son pair and we are pleased to see Ah Fai and his son who now is nearly as tall as his father. Ultimately, we have a team with a dozen Trampers.
The first leg of the hiking was a twenty minutes ferry ride to Ko Lau Wan. Upon arrival, we hopped off the ferry onto the pier and knowing that this could be a long day, everyone took off the warm windbreak to start. The fist short warm up brought us to Tan Ka Wan (˶c) and “tan ka” means literally in Chinese as boat residents of South China. From there we followed the water pipe leading to Nam She Wan where the awesome Sharp Peak rises majestically for about 400 m before us.
I should really explain why on earth there are water pipes? It was the generous policy of the Hong Kong Government to lay fresh water mains to remote villages in the New Territories of Hong Kong; but as older residents passed away, younger generations prefer city living. Over the last fifteen years we saw more and more deserted village dwellings becoming derelict and collapsed. Water pipes were no longer required and rusted, but it serves hikers on an unexpected role and you will not miss your way!
The first 150m climb was strenuous as we were conquering a 45 degree slope. Nevertheless the weather was good despite the usual regret nowadays of the price which we pay for the huge economic success in the Pearl River Delta and the subsequent air pollution from industries. Every time with northerly winds, visibility is under 10 km! The last leg of the climb was seemingly dangerous but exhilarating. We were facing with a vertical cliff but where there is the will, there is the way. Mother-nature provides sturdy twigs for us to hold on and all twelve emerged at Sharp Peak “summit” unscathed. The first reward was to have some cool coke when we had the lunch break.
From above, we enjoyed the spectacular view of islets off the coast. Then we tackled the treacherous downhill trail. Some slightly less fortunate slipped but without any major problem! We descended all the way until Tung Wan and stopped to enjoy Christmas turkey at deserted grassy farmland – now the favourite feeding ground for cows! The sun was warm and there was slight sea breeze which tempted some Trampers to have a short ‘siesta’.
We continued to Tai Wan hopping on the 1 km soft sandy beach and retreating smartly to avoid advancing waves from the roaring sea. The waves came in tiers and continued pondering onto rocks, splashing water droplets all around.
We arrived Ham Tin Wan to continue on the Maclehose Trail, passing Chek Keng and finished at around 4:45 pm at Pak Tam Au. The overall timing was shorter than expected because we have a full team of well experienced hikers who could proceed at roughly similar pace. It was an interesting day to lead this hiking and thanks everyone for the kind support.
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