Women's Basketball Climbs the Great Wall of China
December 30, 2007
Departing from the hotel at 9:00 a.m., the group set off by bus for the roughly 90 minute trek north to Badaling, the most visited and well-preserved section of the Great Wall.
Cutting through the city towards the Chinese countryside, members of the group got their first look at the overwhelming mountain peaks that surround the city, catching glimpses of different sections of the wall no longer accessible by foot. As Badaling drew near, descriptions of it appearing like a "dragon winding its way along the mountain ranges" surely rang true. At first glance, few could argue with the amazing snaking structure's position as one of the great wonders of the world.
Originally built to protect China's borders from Mongolian tribes from the north, the wall dates back over 2,000 years and stretches over 4,000 miles along the country. Badaling, the northern outpost of the Juyongguan Pass, once existed strictly as a military stronghold, yet now serves as a tourist site for more than five million visitors a year.
Upon arriving at the scenic wall, the group once again found itself facing icy cold winter conditions, yet little could stop the Emmanuel crew from making the impressive ascent. As the unit began climbing the steep stairs up the side of the mountain, it was hard not to be overcome by the awe of the architectural feat, as well as its picturesque setting among the sloping hills.
At points, the angle of the wall felt as if one were climbing straight up, and the railing along the wall's exterior proved a valuable walking tool. With the wind howling ever fiercer with each step, the group continued to battle its way northward. The few fortresses along the route provided the only relief from the bitter cold.
During the climb, it was hard to miss the newly-constructed sign to the right of the wall. A large advertisement for the upcoming 2008 Olympics, it served as a reminder that the city of Beijing and the country's greatest tourist spots would soon have the entire world fixated on it in just a few months. Just beyond the sign, the group reached the pinnacle of its journey, taking a moment to appreciate the view and snap a few pictures before eventually making the adventurous descent.
On their way back down, a number of players made sure to grab commemorative t-shirts emblazoned with the words "I climbed the Great Wall of China" on them, in honor of their expedition. Boarding the bus for the return to the city, conversations arose as to whether the weather conditions diminished the experience for anyone. Many said they would have jumped at the opportunity to make the climb again if given the chance.