Thursday 27 August 2015

28th August: Wanchai Gap to Aberdeen

The Fridayhikers are a group of friends who go hiking for leisure. Depending on the weather and road conditions, the hiking route may be subject to change without prior notice. Participants joining the hikes do so at their own will and at their own risk. They may consider buying their own insurance for better protection. The hike leaders, the organizers and any other participants in the hikes are exonerated from any liabilities and claims as a result of any accidents or losses arising.

Dear Fridayhikers,

The forecast for tomorrow is showers and thunderstorm so you have to keep your fingers crossed for good weather.  The good thing is it may not be as hot as before.

The route if the weather is OK is you start from either Hopewell Centre 17th Floor and walk up to Wan Chai Gap Park, or you start at Wan Chai Gap Park.  Then you walk along Black's Link until near Nam Fung Road where you walk down the steps towards Aberdeen,  passing by Bennet's Hill and walking around Aberdeen Lower Reservoir and exiting to Aberdeen Reservoir Road.  This should take about 3 hours.  (Route 42 in Hiking all in one)

If the weather is very wet, you can just take the Aberdeen Reservoir Road from Wanchai Gap Park. This is entirely paved.  Or you can walk up to the Peak.



Meeting time:  9:15 am

Meeting place:  Wanchai Gap Park  (Take Bus 15 and get off at Police Museum.  Remember to tap your Octopus Card at the front before you get off the bus)



Bring plenty of water, rain gear and sun gear.  Should be thunderstorm signal or any of the heavy rainstorm signals be hoistered at 8 am, the hike is automatically cancelled.




Belinda

Thursday 20 August 2015

August 21st: Shing Mun

The Fridayhikers are a group of friends who go hiking for leisure. Depending on the weather and road conditions, the hiking route may be subject to change without prior notice. Participants joining the hikes do so at their own will and at their own risk. They may consider buying their own insurance for better protection. The hike leaders, the organizers and any other participants in the hikes are exonerated from any liabilities and claims as a result of any accidents or losses arising.


Dear Fridayhikers,

Another late post !   The weather is so unpredictable !   I am inclined to just choose a very familiar place to go tomorrow.  This is in the city so you might not have to start out so early and can see what the weather is like.

You may decide to take the Shing Mun Valley route which is the walk around the reservoir.  You may decide on the Shing Mun East Country Trail.  The start and end of both routes is the same - Pineapple Dam.  The Shing Mun East Country Trail is supposed to be slightly shorter.


Meeting time:  9 am

Meeting place:  MTR Tsuen Wan Station Exit B


Please bring plenty of water, sun gear, rain gear.   Should the thunderstorm signal or any of the heavy rainstorm signals should be hoistered at 8 am, the Fridayhikers' hike will be automatically cancelled.



Enjoy your hike and fingers crossed for good weather.



Belinda


Tuesday 11 August 2015

August 14th: The Peak

The Fridayhikers are a group of friends who go hiking for leisure. Depending on the weather and road conditions, the hiking route may be subject to change without prior notice. Participants joining the hikes do so at their own will and at their own risk. They may consider buying their own insurance for better protection. The hike leaders, the organizers and any other participants in the hikes are exonerated from any liabilities and claims as a result of any accidents or losses arising.

Dear Fridayhikers,

Instead of going all the way to Sai Kung, it may be more prudent to walk on the island in view of the weather.  The forecast for tomorrow is still cloudy with showers and thunderstorms.  

Fridayhikers seem to prefer a walk on the Peak.  DK suggested walking from the Peak to Pokfulam and Anson suggested walking up the Victoria Peak from the Peak ? (a route that I don't know about).  

So I shall leave it to the group going hiking tomorrow to decide on where you want to walk.  


Meeting time:  9:15 am   

Meeting place:  The Bus Terminal on the Peak  

You can take Bus #15 from Central or Admiralty, or minibus #1 (from IFC) to the Peak.  The minibus may be crowded as many construction workers or labourers take the minibus at this hour and often there is a long long queue.  Alternatively, you may take the Peak Tram which should not be too crowded at this hour.  


Please bring plenty of water, rain gear, sun gear with you.


Please check the weather before you leave home.  Should the thunderstorm warning or any of the heavy rainstorm warnings be hoistered at 8 am. in the morning, the hike is automatically cancelled.  Safety comes first.




Belinda

Thursday 6 August 2015

AUGUST 7th Tai Tan Country Trail

The Fridayhikers are a group of friends who go hiking for leisure. Depending on the weather and road conditions, the hiking route may be subject to change without prior notice. Participants joining the hikes do so at their own will and at their own risk. They may consider buying their own insurance for better protection. The hike leaders, the organizers and any other participants in the hikes are exonerated from any liabilities and claims as a result of any accidents or losses arising.


Dear Fridayhikers,

I've chosen the Tai Tan County Trail for veteran hikers this week as you don't seem to want short routes even in the heat of summer.  This is 6.7 km long and the book says 2.75 hours.  It only goes as high as 100 m so it is level for most parts.  We've taken this route many times and Michael claims that it is one of my favourite routes.


Meeting time:  9:15 am  (minibus departs 9:25 )

Meeting place:  Minibus No. 7 to Hoi Ha in Sai Kung


The minibus runs every half hour.  In hiking season, there are lots of people and it is good to arrive early to queue up.  But I guess that there won't be as many hikers in summer.


Please bring plenty of water and snacks, sun gear, rain gear.   The entrance to this trail is on the right hand side of the road as you go in to Hoi Ha.  Ask the driver to stop at 大灘郊遊徑, which is just before coming to 猴塘溪.

Should the thunderstorm signal or any of the heavy rainstorm signals be hoistered at 8 am, the hike is automatically cancelled.  If you want to continue, you are on your own.

Enjoy your walk !   I hope the trail gives you enough shade as well as breeze.



Belinda