As I was putting together to the Trip Log for Ningxia (about two months deferred, to be published in a day or two), it occurred to me that it might be of interest to a handful of our geekier readers to compile trip statistics province by province. Accordingly, here are the trip stats for Gansu Province, which we actually hiked over half a year ago.
Days in the province: 57
Days spent walking: 35
Days spent resting, sightseeing, wasting time: 22
Location at the beginning of the trip: 39° 47’ 37.13” N, 98° 12’ 03.49” E
Location at the eastern border of Gansu: 35° 25’ 12.60” N, 104° 16’ 58.19” E
Kilometres walked: 893.633
Average daily distance (walking days only): 25.532
Kilometres walked on the wall: 453.886
Kilometres walked off the wall: 439.747
Elevation at trip’s beginning: 1735
Elevation at eastern border: 1671
Maximum elevation: 2504
Minimum elevation: 1225
Total ascent: 8459
Total descent: 8485
Average gradient: 1.896%
A couple of things I found interesting. First of all, we were on the wall for slightly more distance than off it (where there are gaps). As we experienced it, though, it felt like we were on the wall quite a bit more than half of the time, probably because our time off the wall came in two large chunks - between Tiancheng and Dongle from June 17 through June 28, and between Jingtai and the Gansu border from August 1 through August 4 - while we were on the wall, with occasional small gaps, for all of the rest of the time.
The other thing, which we’ve written about before, is that with only a few exceptions the Gansu portion is flat, with an average gradient under two percent. While any average gradient is going to look fairly unimpressive, as a gradient of even ten percent is a reasonably good hill, two percent is flat by any standard.
Finally, as some of you have noticed, our Tracks and Points of Interest maps have been down for a few days. The problem was due to a recent upgrade in our blogging software, and it’s been corrected, so you can now see the maps by clicking on the two links just above. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Hi,
I’m a reporter for Women of China, a monthly magazine published in Beijing that covers women’s issues in China and also Chinese culture.(I couldn’t find an e-mail address on your website. Sorry for posting this comment here) For the May issue, I’m working on a special travel section, and I want to interview people who have had exciting travels in China. I found your blog and thought you guys would be perfect to talk to.
I know you are busy traveling, but do you have time for a phone interview in the newxt few weeks? (Or, are you returning to Beijing and could meet in person?) Please e-mail me and let me know if you are willing to be interviewed, and, if so, when you are free. Thanks so much for the help.Have a great trip. — Emily
PS. Here’s the official discription of the magazine:
《WOMEN OF CHINA》 English Monthly
Women of China English Monthly is the only comprehensive English Monthly Magazine aimed at introducing Chinese women to the outside world and distributed all over the world. Women of China English Monthly strives to communicate the wonder of Chinese culture as well as the reality of Chinese women’s lives, experiences and perspectives. It aims to be authoritative, objective, practical and informative. Women of China English Monthly gives in-depth reports on Chinese women’s past and present, their progresses and achievements, the colorful life of minority women and on women’s concerns. Women of China English Monthly also focuses on reporting international cultural exchanges. Women of China English Monthly readers include United Nations’ organizations, women’s organizations and research institutes in other countries, readers with a concern about Chinese women and foreign readers working, studying and living in China. It is sponsored and administrated by the All-China Women’s Federation, the largest women’s NGO in China, and is distributed to around 120,000 readers in more than 50 countries around the world.
Hey you two I’ve been following your journey with great interest and I know, not a lot of comment, however comment aside I admire all that you are doing and envy all that you are adsorbing. Good luck on the final leg, no pun intended concerning your foot Brendan! I’m with you in spirit….Krov