Alpine peaks of China (2017)

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RiYueBaoJing (日月宝镜山 5,609m) seen on left from the summit of Yak Peak (牦牛峰  4,765m). What is on the right could be 五色山, but we have never been sure, as those locals whom we asked were very abstract where exactly it is and the maps don't show it.

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At the summit of Balang South (4,714 m)

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California Climbers' Salute at the summit of DaFeng (5,025m 四姑娘大峰).

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These peaks are located across HaiZi Gou (海子沟)， some are taller than 5,000m. The photo was taken from west, when we were descending from Yak Peak (牦牛峰 4,765m).

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Yet another perfect (and last) day in the area, Yak Peak ahead ( 牦牛峰 4,765 m)， the township of RiLong (日隆镇 3,160m) below, Eagle ridge above it.

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The only named (known) geographic feature visible in this photo is 八角棚海 （4,500m）- great backpacking camping spot.  To see it, you have to know where to look - it is below and between 2 peaks on the left. There are more lakes located higher up, visible in Google earth. All three peaks (which we still don't know the names of) are taller than 5,000m.

PHOTO: On the way to Yak Peak.

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Yak Peak (牦牛峰 4,765 m) became our 25th and the tallest 4K peak that we climbed together. 8)

1        Mount Rainier        4392        USA-WA
2        Mount Whitney        4419        USA-CA
3        Mount Belford        4327        USA-CO
4        Mount Elbert        4399        USA-CO
5        Mount Massive        4396        USA-CO
6        Mount Harvard        4395        USA-CO
7        Mount Bierstadt        4285        USA-CO
8        Mount of the Holy Cross        4269        USA-CO
9        Kings Peak        4123        USA-UT
10        Mount Shasta        4317        USA-CA
11        Mount Russell        4294        USA-CA
12        Mount Russell-East Peak        4280        USA-CA
13        Mount Carillon        4131        USA-CA
14        Keeler Needle        4340        USA-CA
15        Crooks Peak        4320        USA-CA
16        Mount Muir        4271        USA-CA
17        Mount Langley        4275        USA-CA
18        University Peak        4142        USA-CA
19        Longs Peak        4345        USA-CO
20        Storm Peak        4062        USA-CO
21        Mount Lady Washington        4048        USA-CO
22        Balang South        4714        China
23        Signal Hill        4105        China
24        Thunderstrike Hill        4665        China
25        Yak Peak        4765        China


PHOTO: California Climbers' Salute at the summit of Yak Peak. YaoMei Feng with its three other sisters at the back.

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View from the summit of Yak Peak ( 牦牛峰 4,765m).

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The weather was perfect for climbing DaFeng (5,025m). One of us was eager to start climbing DaFeng immediately (guess who it was!), but "we" decided to spend another (second) day for acclimatization. We needed something high but not super hard, so we would have enough energy for our main objective next day (DaFeng that is). I was still working on the "plan", when Vera, proactive as always,  came (rushed in, to be precise) and informed that there was a local willing to drive us to BaLang pass. "Quick! He is waiting!". This was excellent. It took us 10 minutes to pack and after the breakfast (provided by the same local) we were on our way. The driver was impressively punctual - after climbing Balang South (4,714m) the car was already waiting to take us back to RiLong.

PHOTO: California Climbers' Salute at Balang South

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Lots of peaks, lots of lakes. Clean alpine. Are you excited yet? 8)

The map of the area "Four sisters". Typically for the area, some prominent 5K mountains are missing on this map: 五色山，日月宝镜山,  巴朗山，and at least four 5K peaks on north/east side of 海子沟. Also, laowai's approach is seen in the English naming, translating literally "姑娘" as "girls", despite more accurate would be "sisters", obviously.


PHOTO: Eagle ridge became our favorite: it is good for everything - priming, walking, hiking, trail running, sunset/sunrise photography.

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On the summit plateau ~100m below DaFeng (5,025m 四姑娘大峰). Sharp peak of PoMiu (5,413m 婆缪山) can't be missed at the back. WuSe (五色山) and RiYueBaoJing （5,609m 日月宝镜） on left. In two days the first snowfall of the season will blanket the area.

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Most horses and yaks of the area are semi-domestic - although have owners, they live and feed themselves in the mountains around town.

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Yak on Eagle ridge with all Four Sisters at the back.

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RiYueBaoJing (5,609m 日月宝镜) as seen from the summit of Yak Peak (4,765m 牦牛峰)