I had a painful night with my sore back but around 6.30 this morning preparations started for the hiking and planting.
Nobody had told me it was going to be a steep climb. I have done this climb many times and should have realised where we were going. Age and aches are catching up with me. Mrs. Ha and CC2 looked fit enough before we set off.
We quickly realised there were a lot of people attending and crowd control was needed.
The path is extremely narrow with stone steps. The height of the steps is not consistent and some are narrow. A lot of care is needed. So basically it was a free for all. 
And plenty of people did not want to wait so would just barge through. We saw one lady needing medical help and lots of children, who needed to be carried. You can see the elevation – not dramatic – maybe 300m but its the steepness that catches you out. Or at least me. We planted 6 trees at the top, saplings really and I had carried them up from the bottom with a couple of trowels. Mrs. Ha’s contribution was verbal encouragement. And she did hold an umbrella over me for shade at one point. Of course you get very good views from the path and here are just a few. In the first shot you can see Clearwater Bay Golf Course.
There are some homes in the area and they are quite desirable (=expensive). The rule of thumb is that a full sea view doubles the cost of a house.
Of course you don’t have to do the climb if you are visiting normally and not for the tree planting. There is a beautiful tree walk. If you are lucky you can find plenty of birds and butterflies but it is a bit hit and miss. Early morning is best.
I hope I can persuade Mrs. Ha to venture out again but next time I think we shall do the easy walk. What a pair of wimps.
All downhill from here 
Here’s a virtual medal for your accomplishment, Andrew. I admire your feat. I find climbing hills much less fun than at one time not so distant. The huffing and puffing and cramping takes all the fun out. But the trees will bring joy in the future….you may just not want to climb to enjoy them.
Great view.
Gasp!! xxx (Tree planting = + Photo’s = + All those people = minus (can’t find a minus sign on this flippety flip keyboard!!) ) xxx
Oh those views… how lovely.
Oh yes – and so close to home!
Great positioning of the beginning shots, then the crowds…and finally the beautiful scenery.
Stunningly gorgeous and very appealing!
Thank you Marylin. I am glad it wasn’t hotter!
Well done for toughing through the steep climb and bending, digging, planting the saplings. Not easy with a sore back. What gorgeous views along the way!
The back was well nursed over night, Caroline, with sticky Tiger Balm patches. Otherwise I would never have made it. I never knew saplings could be so heavy!
Well done, you made it and the trees will be there to remember.
Trees have long memories, I hope. Thanks Hilary.
Nice views and well done for making it.
Thank you, Denise.
Kudos to you for braving the climb to plant trees.
Thank you Professor. I hope you found the standard of English usage acceptable.
great so many did the walk and planting. also glad you made the ascent and descent safely. Hope you had a good lunch to celebrate. Magnificent scenery, not what comes to mind when thinking of HK .
Indeed not, Rod, but HK is 40% country parks (at the moment) but it is all so tempting for the developers.
Sounds more suitable for a quiet day, when you can take the occasional pause to take a photograph or two (my ‘excuse’ for a pause in my efforts up steep hills!)
Oh I used the photography stop excuse several times, up and down. Up for the lungs, down for the knees 🙂
🙂 – I don’t think my family have quite got the drift of that one yet. 😉
Did you take a pick nick lunch Andrew? I imagine a cane basket with lots of delicacies including croissants, paper napkins and a flask of coffee. I liked the last shot most! I did not know HK could be so lovely and beautifully spread out. I suppose carrying saplings and a trowel would prevent carrying food and drinks as well.
We had our water supplies Gerard and an ’emergency bun’ but we were down by lunchtime. The reward for an early start in the cooler temperatures. HK is very green in some areas but always under threat of further development.
Sounds a bit like self-torture to me. (a) I detest large numbers of people; (2) I DETEST people pushing past/barging; (3) I DETEST going up hills. I suppose I will admit that these are all things possibly peculiar to moi … Sighh … and I do agree that the summit does provide sensational views (inquinamento aside).
M.R., you are not alone. I agree on all three. It must be the rest of the world that is wrong.
Pooh ! (not that one …) – who cares about them ?!
When I read this post, I rushed off to our library and yanked out my A.A. Milnes and read “Now we are Six”: why I didn’t read “Winnie the Pooh” is beyond me. Talk about contrary … 🙂
What a beautiful place! Such a great idea to have a tree planting day too.
Thank you Barbara. Tree planting is quite popular but I could have done without the climb!
Looks like you had a well-spent morning.. but it’s getting warm, I must say.
BTW : It used to be “crowd control”, now it’s “crowd management”.
Not Crowd Elimination?
Your description of yesterdays walk reminds me of one that I do here occasionally. It’s an absolute killer and leaves me bent double for days afterwards but the views are jaw-dropping and it’s excellent exercise. You deserve a medal for carrying the saplings and trowels up 😀
Sadly though Lottie I didn’t get anything. A medal would have been deserved, I agree.