MoonTrekker - A good reason to stay up all night!

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  1. #1

    MoonTrekker - A good reason to stay up all night!

    Hi Everyone

    I am helping to organise this event in October. We already have 40 registered and aim to get to 100+. Please see details below and hope you can make it.

    More details on:
    Home Page

    Get ready to push yourself to the limit with MoonTrekker 2009, Hong-Kong’s newest and most exciting endurance competition ever! The inaugural endurance race will challenge the minds, hearts and legs of Hong-Kong’s most intrepid adventurers. The 40km and the shorter 25km endurance hikes begin at 10:30pm in Mui Wo, on Lantau Island, and will take participants though the island’s stunning scenic country trails. The last section of the route will deliver racers to Hong Kong’s famous and best dawn panoramas. Will you make it before sunrise?

    William


  2. #2

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    Forgive me if I am being ignorant here, but surely looking from Lantau Peak the sunrise is hidden behind Sunset Peak which is more or less due east of Lantau Peak and almost the same height. So by the time the sun appears from behind Sunset Peak (around the autumn equinox at least) it's going to be quite well up in the sky and it will be more or less full daylight?

    If I read my maps and sun charts correctly, the only time you're going to see the sun rise in the distance from Lantau Peak is fairly adjacent to the winter solstice when it rises at about 115 degrees which will be clear of the southern flank of Sunset Peak.

    Moreover, I'm reasonably sure that the picture you have claiming to be a Lantau Peak sunrise was actually taken from Sunset Peak since you can't see that much of Hei Ling Chau from Lantau Peak.

    Last edited by PDLM; 27-07-2009 at 10:43 PM.

  3. #3

    Thanks PDLM. It is a good point. Will need to check that and revert. Its good to find out now!

    Regarding the picture, you maybe right, it was sent in by a friend, will double check
    William


  4. #4

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    This looks quite interesting..

    I've never hiked on Lantau so this would be good fun I reckon.

    The routes that are marked on the website, are they part of the main trails?


  5. #5

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    The routes on the map are all fairly major trails, but some parts are quite rugged under foot so doing it at night by flashlight is going to be somewhat slower than during the day. The climb up Lantau Peak is non-trivial (as the website says, 1500m of ascent on this route in total).

    And there are a lot of snakes on Lantau which come out at night so I wouldn't recommend this if that fazes you.

    But having said all that I am quite tempted by this myself since it's many many years since I did a night hike and I like Lantau very much.

    Edit - and one other point... It's called "Moontrekker" but on 16th October it is almost a new moon and moonrise isn't until 0409, so you're going to be walking in absolute blackness, not by the light of the moon.

    Last edited by PDLM; 28-07-2009 at 12:17 PM.

  6. #6

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    Snakes wouldn't bother me too much.. more photo opportunities.

    would it still be trainer terrain and not hiking boots required?

    I think I would probably have a look at these during the daytime before doing it at night time. Might even know a few people who would be up for doing it as well.


  7. #7

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    Pretty much anywhere in Hong Kong is OK with good solid trainers. But that does mean good ones - with a decent rugged tread. And for a night hike I thing it would be good to have some which offer a little protection around the toes since I guess you're going to kick rocks and stuff that you don't see.

    Some of the snakes are deadly venomous by the way - I don't think the helicopters would be able to do a night recovery so it would take a while to get you to hospital.

    Last edited by PDLM; 28-07-2009 at 12:28 PM.

  8. #8

    Hope you can join - it is for a good cause. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

    Re snakes- unusual for that time of year in the evening (unless still hot) but really something the front runners need to take extra care on (there will be a big group).

    Kenbo, feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions.

    William
    94708442

    Last edited by cheesypeas; 28-07-2009 at 12:35 PM.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by cheesypeas:
    Hope you can join - it is for a good cause. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me.

    Re snakes- unusual for that time of year in the evening (unless still hot) but really something the front runners need to take extra care on (there will be a big group).

    Kenbo, feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions.

    William
    94708442
    Thanks William.

    I'm quite interested in doing it. I'll have a chat with my usual hiking partner and see if he fancies it as well. I'm always up for a bit of exercise and when a charity is involved, i'm more than happy to do my part.

  10. #10

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    Before the concreting over of Ngong Ping, Christmas and /or Chinese Lunar New Year would involve a late night climb from Keung Shan to the valley due west of Lantau Peak where we would set up camp, and hike up Lantau Peak a couple of hours before sunrise. The real scary part was coming back down, as you could actually see where you would end up if you slipped.
    There is not much chance of a decent view at this time of the year, plus the climate is less then ideal, plus there is no place to chill afterwards and await the spectacular sunset.


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