West Lake Standard Endurance Trail | 西湖标毅线 故乡似他乡
2025, my third zodiac cycle year, has been a tough one. Even though New Year’s Day is behind, the Year of the Snake hasn’t ended yet on the Chinese calendar. I have to keep going.
圣诞节前回到杭州，专程挤入了个跑山(trail running)活动，打卡久闻大名的西湖跑山线路——标毅线。因为近两年开始跑山，偶然间惊喜的发现原来家乡杭州还有这样的线路，甚至吸引外地朋友专程前来打卡。虽然从小在杭州长大，这条线上好多地方却还从未听说，总觉愧疚。于是做了些功课，这条线全长大概24公里，累计爬升1500米，网上有各种完线、破五、破四、甚至破三的帖子晒出来。我回去翻了翻最近几次西雅图本地的西虎三(West Tiger)数据：12.7迈，4600ft爬升，三小时内搞定。我拍拍自己的腿：破四有戏。
Hong Kong Photo Drop | 香港掠影——点心与滑蛋饭
第一次踏上香港，却也浮光掠影。当天匆匆而来，次日匆匆而去。随手翻过的一日游攻略，皆是大同小异，索性不再细看。借口未来还有机会，这次不妨走马观花，权当是假期最后一天画上的句点，逛吃逛吃为搬砖重新做好心理建设。
说到香港，童年记忆里并没有太多鲜明的印象，那些港片港剧港曲港星，在我的成长轨迹里似乎从未占据过主角。1997年香港回归，也只停留在电视机里一遍一遍循环播放中：降旗升旗交接仪式，查尔斯王子和长者的握手，另外便是“东方之珠，我的爱人”这首父母辈歌厅听得到的旋律了。但是，儿时的我却也深深得益于香港，以及整个繁体中文文化圈的，是来自文化的转运。我依稀记得小时候那台“足以改变命运”的PSP，大体是叔叔从香港带回来的。当时候，无论是电影，电视，动画，还是游戏，都得借由繁体中文翻译的跳板，为我打开了面向世界的窗口。我也自然而然地养成了阅读无碍的习惯，繁体中文对于我而言像是通往世界的桥梁。想必当时候的香港亦如是。
Havasupai: 3 Days 40 Miles - Part II
Day 2: The Confluence Out And Back
Our second day began early. Though not quite an alpine start. The sun had already risen when we departed. We left most of our gear behind at the campsite and lightened our load for this 16-mile round trip to the Confluence, where Havasu Creek meets the Colorado River. With some online pictures spoiling ahead, I was expecting to see the green belt merging into the muddy yellow Colorado River.
Havasupai: 3 Days 40 Miles - Part I
I had heard how difficult it was to get a camping permit for Havasupai, so when a friend invited me to join him after someone in their group dropped out, I immediately jumped at the chance! Thanks to his last-minute invitation, I was able to make this long-dreamed trip happen.
The entire adventure was divided into three segments, and hence three days: the hike from the Havasupai trailhead into the tribal village, a back-and-forth hike from Supai Village to the Confluence, and finally, the climb back from the campsite to the original trailhead.
Initially, we planned for a four-day, three-night leisurely trip to leave plenty room for a relaxing day exploring the waterfalls, the streams, and the “世外桃源” village (a paradise hidden from the world). However, plans changed, and we ended up tackling a very packed three-day, two-night trip, hiking a rough total of 40 miles!
Was it worth it? Absolutely. The scenery, the village, and the physical challenge proved this trip to be one of the most rewarding adventures of my life.
