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Hiking For Pleasure

The Young Reporter (2005, February), 37(05), pp. 8.
Author: Fred Lai Cheuk-yin. Editor: Sherman Lam Cheuk-man.
Permanent URL - https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/bujspa/purl.php?&did=bujspa0007387

By Fred Lai Cheuk-yin

“HONG Kong is an excellent place for hiking,” said Martin Williams, an ecological consultant.

Williams is one of many hiking enthusiasts in Hong Kong. He points out that our city has many wonderful hiking routes for a daytrip.

It may surprise many city-dwellers that Hong Kong has over 400 square kilometres of country parks. The area covers over 40 per cent of the land in our city. There are four popular trails: the MacLehose Trail, the Lantau Trail, the Hong Kong Trail and the Wilson Trail.

Currently working on the first local commercial outdoor documentary Explore Wild Hong Kong, Williams, as one of the producers, runs around Hong Kong and films some of the best natural sceneries of the territory.

“Hong Kong is really great to visit. Its green sites are an interesting combination of hiking and bird-watching,” he said. “Think of what you are interested in and go with your friends would give you an enjoyable day out.”

Chester Yung and Daniel To started hiking since they knew each other in secondary school. They share similar opinions with Williams.

“You should know what your friends prefer before the journey. You would not bring someone uphill who actually wanted to walk along the streams,” Yung said.

“Physical fitness is another criterion you have to consider,” To added. “If your friend finds the route too harsh at the end, you may not have him again next time.”

“What our countryside brings is not merely hiking helpful in relieving pressure. “Among my friends, those who regularly go hiking are more friendly and open-minded. Hiking is good for your health, both mentally and physically.”

Charles Lee Yee-keung, another hiking old-hand, won his son’s health as well as a business from hiking. Lee’s son had an in-born heart condition called ventricular septal defect.

“I wanted to strengthen his body so I brought him to go hiking with me since he was three. Now he’s strong and healthy, sometimes even a little bit naughty,” Lee laughed.

“It’s always a pleasure to go hiking with your family. I think it helps to develop a better relationship. So I put up a homepage and hoping that others can enjoy it as well,” he said.

Lee’s award-winning homepage, HKTraveler.com, encouraged him to develop his hobby to a full-time career.

“I was running an advertising agency before I made HKTraveler.com a business. SARS raised concerns of Hong Kong people about their health and I saw organizing field trips and outing activities profitable,” Lee said.

As more and more hiking websites are launched, finding companions to walk together becomes no longer difficult. Michael Wong, a hiker with three years of experience, started the hobby from the internet.

“I didn’t go often until I met some net friends in a newsgroup,” he said. “After a few times going out with them, I found myself enjoy the company and I go hiking more often since then. We are now good friends and we always go hiking together.”

Besides designing web pages, Wong is now hosting their group’s homepage Hiking-gang, where hiking enthusiasts can find announcements and photos of their recent activities.

Another webmaster and hiker, Teddy Law Wing-fai, focused on fine pictures of the countryside in his homepage OasisTrek.

“Hong Kong changes rapidly; the same with its countryside. How it looks like now could be totally different in just a few years. So I took photos on the trails I visited to capture their natural appearance,” Law said.

In general, hiking in Hong Kong requires no special skills or equipment. But there are some essential items for survival. Common sports shoes will be acceptable for short and easy paths, but a pair of hiking shoes is necessary for routes that are more demanding. Long trousers and extra clothing are preferred, and a hat can protect you from the sun.

In addition to a map and a compass, hikers should also prepare the following for emergency: a torch and a first-aid kit could be useful anytime, while plenty of water would secure the company from dehydration.

Chester Yung recalled a haunting experience of not bringing enough water.

“We walked on a strenuous trail on Lantau Island. It was summer and the temperature was over 30 degree Celsius. We underestimated our consumption of water and there was not much water left before we got to the peak. It got more dreadful mile by mile,” he said.

While equipment is important, Law advises beginners to plan for their journey carefully. He recounted a time he went to a trail at Tai Po.

“My map was not detailed enough to show the exact duration needed. Somewhere appeared to be a five-minute walk actually took me twenty minutes to finish,” he said.

With safety in mind, hiking is definitely a healthy activity for everyone. Go out and enjoy Hong Kong’s natural resources, and you will enjoy the pleasant walking experience and wanting more.

Where would you like to go?

Charle Lee: “I like walking at Chek Keng with my family. There are mangroves by the coast and mudskippers are seen everywhere.”

Teddy Law: “Walk from Wu Kau Tang to Sam A Tsuen in Plover Cove, and you will see how peaceful old villages in Hong Kong could be.”

Michael Wong: “I am fascinated with the landscape of Lantau Island. Views from the tops of the mountains are breath-taking.”

Mac Chau: “Every hiker should go to Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung for the magnificent scenery there. The bays are so lovely there.”

Edited by Sherman Lam Cheuk-man

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