Saturday July 28th, 2007, earlyish morning rendezvous:
A hike and river-trace that will take us from the Tonghouxi at Xiaoyi up along the Ayu Stream (阿玉溪) and back along a shady trail.
We’ll be venturing into a true 世外桃園 of coolness and tranquility, a perfect escape from the broiling heat and clammy discomfort of summer in the city.
Details to follow.
I am in like, er, well, like anything that is in really quickly.
Rats…I promised my uncle I’d go hiking with him already on Saturday. Have fun though…just thinking about wading around in the water feels refreshing. Of course, if this outing finishes before 1pm, I could make both, erm, probably…
Bring your uncle along. Or suggest that he postpone his hike until Sunday or the following week.
I’d bet my leg to an eyelash that our trek will be heaps more fun and way further off the beaten track than whatever he’s planning. 
I’m in for this river-tracing.
By the way, I’ve cleared a trail up to the swimming pool of Dasi river.
[quote=“trail_hacker”]I’m in for this river-tracing.
By the way, I’ve cleared a trail up to the swimming pool of Dasi (Daxi) river.[/quote]
It’ll be good to see you again, TH.
I’m sure you’ve got MM and Chris positively drooling at the mention of Dasi - and I’m pretty keen to get up there, too, this summer, having missed out last year.
[quote=“Omniloquacious”][quote=“trail_hacker”]I’m in for this river-tracing.
By the way, I’ve cleared a trail up to the swimming pool of Dasi (Daxi) (Daxi) river.[/quote]
It’ll be good to see you again, TH.
You’ve got MM and Chris positively drooling at the mention of Dasi (Daxi) (and I’m pretty keen to get up there, too, this summer, having missed out last year).[/quote]
Indeed, it is a veritable fountain of drool, almost as deep and wide as the pool in Dasi (though nowhere near as clear).
TH, I was hoping to clear the trail with you next month when I have lots of free time, but good job. Where does the trail start, and how hard was it to hack it out? How long to walk it?
Mucha Man,
Due to landslide, the trailhead shown on the map don’t work.
An local elder show me another trailhead a little upstream. It’s about two hours from the temple parking to the pool.
The trail is somehow overgrown but I’ve clear a lot with my mountain knife. Two landslide but not quite serious.
If you’ve really a lot of spare time next month, you can help me creating a secret vegetable garden beside the pool.
[quote=“Muzha Man”][quote=“Omniloquacious”][quote=“trail_hacker”]I’m in for this river-tracing.
By the way, I’ve cleared a trail up to the swimming pool of Dasi (Daxi) (Daxi) (Daxi) river.[/quote]
It’ll be good to see you again, TH.
You’ve got MM and Chris positively drooling at the mention of Dasi (Daxi) (Daxi) (and I’m pretty keen to get up there, too, this summer, having missed out last year).[/quote]
Indeed, it is a veritable fountain of drool, almost as deep and wide as the pool in Dasi (Daxi) (though nowhere near as clear).
TH, I was hoping to clear the trail with you next month when I have lots of free time, but good job. Where does the trail start, and how hard was it to hack it out? How long to walk it?[/quote] 
Sounds good. What about clearing land around the old school for a campsite?
Mucha Man,
You needn’t clear the land around the old school as the school building still look in good condition.
The only problem is that it’s a bit far from river so may be tricky to get running water.
I personally prefer camping beside the pool.
Muzha Man,
You needn’t clear the land around the old school as the school building still look in good condition.
The only problem is that it’s a bit far from river so may be tricky to get running water.
I personally prefer camping beside the pool.[/quote]
Isn’t it too rocky around the pool?
Muzha Man,
You needn’t clear the land around the old school as the school building still look in good condition.
The only problem is that it’s a bit far from river so may be tricky to get running water.
I personally prefer camping beside the pool.[/quote]
Isn’t it too rocky around the pool?[/quote]
let’s see if it’s possible!
If an acceptable camping area can be found by that pool, it would make a greeeeeat weekend getaway!! But I also remember it being far too rocky.
Great to hear from you, trail_hacker, and I look forward to seeing you!
We could always make some sort of platform out of you know, natural stuff hanging around. Natures good for that kind of thing. Always helps you out in a bind.
You are all experienced hikers. Can an inexperienced hiker like me join in this hike? 
I think you should be able to keep up with us, Kate. But as it’s looking to be such a star-studded turnout, you’ll have to be in your bestest of bestest trekking form and brimming with vim.
Indeed, I shall be there parting the waters, and taming the naga (snake) spirits.
Can I reveal that the title of this hike has me most intrigued? Up the Ayu sounds remarkably like an advanced yabyum practice I onced engaged in for 3 days with my consort Kunzang Yabyum, who you might know as Samantabhadri. Is there a connection Ku Sho La Loquacious?
Its tantric mysticalities place it beyond the realm of linguistic expression.
Its tantric mysticalities place it beyond the realm of linguistic expression.[/quote]
That is why those holy yogis created manuals with diagrams and illustrations rendered in the most living details.
I think you should be able to keep up with us, Kate. But as it’s looking to be such a star-studded turnout, you’ll have to be in your bestest of bestest trekking form and brimming with vim.[/quote]
I really don’t want to miss the place beyond the realm of linguistic expression even though I have to boost myself from HIKE 101 level to EXTREMELY HIGH-ADVANCED HIKE level.
Please count me in. I will eat well and sleep well in the day before the hike.