Discover Top Posts Tagged with #brian chung

brian chung and chiharu shibata and photographed in alonzo king’s sacred text by marty sohl

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gregory dawson, brian chung, chiharu shibata, and yannis adoniou photographed in alonzo king’s three stops on the way home by lawrence k. ho

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chiharu shibata and brian chung photographed performing in alonzo king's tango by lea suzuki

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Book Review: John Edited by Brian Chung and Bryan Ye-Chung

In “John”, edited by Brian Chung and Brian Ye-Chung, the gospel of John is visually presented in an easy to read and ponder way with lots of white space and a friendly font. It is complemented with 14 guided meditations, similar in style to a lectio divina, which help the reader digest the scriptures and find a deeper connection to God. To this, they have added interesting visuals, related to the…

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#bible study #brian chung #bryan ye-chung #intervarsity press #John #lectio divina #meditation #netgalley

#prey #mooncrash #joan winslow #brian chung #gaming

AUGUST 2015: MITTAGHORN 3143M, RIGIDALSTOCK 2592M AND ZERMATT MAMMUT VIA FERRATA CLIMBS, SWITZERLAND.

This summer, I was planning a couple of 4000m alpine summit attempts in the Pennine alps plus some via ferrata climbs. I had scheduled 5 days in Zermatt, 5 days in Saas Fee and 4 days in Engelberg. My unfinished business in the Swiss Alps included Castor, Alphubel and Jagihorn! I felt very enthusiastic and fit having trained hard in Sydney with hiking and gym work. And was even motivated by listening to the Sound of Music “Climb Every Mountain” on the flight from Australia! However, the weather didn’t play ball, and consequently, my alpine climbing plans were severely restricted!

Started my acclimatisation with a hike on Mt Oberrothorn (3415M). Legs felt very weary and I was hyperventilating and heart was pounding! That's the impact of altitude! The hike took less than 3 hours return from Rothorn and gave beautiful views of the Matterhorn. Had strapped the Gopro camera to my lapel and thus began the appearance of “The Shadow”! On the next day, I continued the acclimatisation, by hiking on the picturesque mountain trail from Schwarzee to the Hornli Hutte (3260M), the base camp for Matterhorn climbers. Saw this guy struggle up the mountain trail with his dog, an Irish setter. Perhaps the Swiss believe that they and their pets have innate skills to climb mountains!

The weather in Zermatt was getting worse, raining and overcast! So unfortunately, I was rained out before I could get any alpine climbing done from Zermatt. I did manage to do a climb on the Mammut Sports Via Ferrata on one overcast but dry morning. I had to climb the VF twice as I had dropped my jacket somewhere during first circuit! The climb wasn’t too difficult, with one section of vertical wall and overhangs.

Moved to Saas Fee and the weather was marginally better. Had my first taste this trip of mountain climbing on the rocky Mt Mittaghorn (3143M) using via ferrata. It was overcast. As it happened spoke to this woman in the cable car and asked her if she was climbing and if she knew the way to the via ferrata? Affirmative! That gave me a lot of encouragement and I told her I would follow her seeing I got lost looking for the same mountain last year!

We completed the climb and return in 5 hours. It turns out that my 'guide' whose name was Alexandra came from Cologne Germany and is an experienced mountaineer, having climbed many 4000M peaks in the alps incl the Matterhorn and the Eiger! She was acclimatising for a big climb in next few days! And to cap off the day, she was very surprised to hear that I was retired when enquiring of my profession! A great days climbing in the company of Alexandra! The VF climb was rated moderately hard (KS3) and included a vertical wall section.

Made preparations to attempt the more difficult Mt Jagihorn VF climb (3206M) but again the weather was forecast overcast with snow. Hiked from Kreuzboden to the start of the climb and noted that there was snow covering the descent path and some sections of the cables. So abandoned summit attempt as too risky to climb!

The Saas Fee mountain guides were unable to arrange the Alphubel alpine climb as the cable car for descent not working, and other alpine climbs not available due to weather! So still unable to attempt a 4000M alpine climb and left Saas Fee for the pretty village of Engelberg.

Weather in Engelberg was fine so was able to do a solo VF climb on Mt Rigidalstock at 2592M on the Saturday. The climb was well signposted and waymarked and there were many climbers, so was able to find my way climbing solo. Rigidalstock provided a lovely climbing route to the summit cross. Climb was rated moderately hard (KS3) with one section of vertical wall. Overall the climb and descent took over 5 hours to complete, and offered many opportunities to scramble on the rocks without need to hang onto the cables. An enjoyable days climbing in great sunshine. I did notice that the other climbers seemed to be decked out in designer label mountain wear with soft shell and brilliant colours! My more sombre colours were unable to compete from a fashion point of view!

I was planning a more difficult VF climb on the Graustock (2662M) on my last full day in Engelberg but same story, I had to abandon climb due to forecast thunderstorms. So my total climbs completed for the trip were 3 Via Ferrata climbs but did complete many shorter hikes. The weather was one factor that one cannot control and impeded any 4000M alpine climb attempts.

Following the climbing trip, I visited my sister and her family in Zurich. Thence, joined my wife on a fantastic Intrepid tour of Turkey.

On the summit of Mt Mittaghorn 3143M

Alexandra, from Cologne my climb buddy for the day on summit of Mittaghorn 3143M

Alexandra leading the way towards summit of Mittaghorn.

A selfie with the Mittaghorn summit cross over left shoulder in the clouds.

On the summit of Mt Rigidalstock 2592M

Approaching summit cross Mt Rigidalstock

Summit Cross of Rigidalstock in the distance to right

Vertical wall section of via ferrata on Rigidalstock

Long cable on Rigidalstock Via Ferrata

Relaxing on Mammut Via Ferrata Zermatt

Section of vertical wall on the Zermat Mammut Via Ferrata

“The Shadow” hiking up Mt Oberrothorn trail (3415M) towards Matterhorn.

Fixed ropes on the Oberrothorn mountain trail. But it helps to be surefooted!

Views of Matterhorn on the Hornli Hutte trail

Swiss dog (Irish Setter) climbing the Hornli Hutte trail.

Snow covering the descent route from Mt Jagihorn 3206M Via Ferrata! Too risky to climb!

Views from Hohsass of Weissmies mountain (4023M) climbed in 2011

Shepherds herding goats through Zermatt.

All dogs appear to be well groomed and well behaved in Switzerland!

Unsociable and apparently sulking donkeys in Saas Fee.

Titlis (3238M) Engelberg’s most popular tourist attraction but not considered a serious climbing peak.

Blue Mosque Istanbul, Turkey

Hot air balloons Cappadocia, Turkey

VIDEO CLIP - CLICK LINK HERE

Video that I took of Rigidalstock VF Climb using Gopro Hero3

#brian chung #mountaineering #harnessblueadventures

JULY 2014: ALLALINHORN (4027M) CLIMB, EIGER ROTSTOCK VF CLIMB, SWISS ALPS, SWITZERLAND

This year, I planned to do some mountains climbs in the Bernese Alps and Pennine alps in Switzerland. However, the weather was very fickle this year and I managed to climb only the Allalinhorn (4027M) in the Saastal region and the Eiger-Rotstock (2663M) via ferrata in the Bernese Alps before being closed down by the bad weather.

My first port of call was the beautiful mountain village of Saas Fee, altitude 1800M. Like Zermatt, electric vehicles are allowed only within the village precinct and all motorists are required to park outside the village.

To aid in acclimatisation and recovery from my jet lag, I wanted to undertake the Mittaghorn via ferrata. But getting there didn't turn out to be very simple. I had to take the Felskinn cable car and then have them specially drop me off at the half way station of Moriena. Then had to hike up the ski slopes to look for the start point of the via ferrata. Feeling all alone without a soul in sight, I then encountered snow which blocked access. So I ended up abandoning the VF climb, and hiked a couple of hours back down to Saas Fee via the picturesque mountain track..

Eventually, some nice weather arrived, and I and many other climbers took the first Metro Alpin train to make a summit attempt of the Allalinhorn mountain at 4027M. I met the other climbing team members and our local Swiss guide Dominik. I was the only climber who couldn't speak German. Unlike previous years, our team of four were all mature age climbers! We set off on our climb - I was given the position of last on the belay rope. Some steady uphill hiking took us to the start of the steep climbing section, all manageable so far! Given the numbers of climbers, we had to wait our turn to start the zig zag sections of the climb. After achieving over 500M elevation gain, we reached the sub peak and waited our turn to cross to the summit. The peak was reached via a summit ridge of about half meter wide for some 50 metres long. Not too scary? We congratulated everyone and took photos and quickly left for the subpeak and a snack. The panorama from the peak was magnificent, all aided by beautiful blue skies and the lack of clouds! The Allalinhorn is one of the most photogenic of the snow capped peaks in Switzerland!

I then lead the descent down from the Allalinhorn with bowed legs as advised by our guide Dominik! It wasn't too difficult but one of climbers had cramps, so we slowed down. We eventually reached the starting point, so the total time for the ascent and descent was over 5 hours. A drink at the bar was most welcomed. And our guide, Dominik also invited everyone to a concert occurring that evening that he was participating in as a yodeler!

My second port of call in Switzerland was Grindelward where I was planning an attempt on the Monch (4107M). Unfortunately, the weather wasn't good and I didn't get to climb another 4000M peak this trip.

I did get to climb the Eiger - Rotstock via ferrata on the west flank of the Eiger North Face when weather was satisfactory during a morning window. I took the train to the Eigergletscher station (2320M) and hiked on the Eiger trail and turned right at the Eiger signpost to the start of the VF. After donning VF equipment, I had to scramble on rocks to reach the start of the VF and the 6 ladders. Then had to scramble on protected and unprotected sections of layered rock until I sighted the former opening of the Rotstock train station now long decommissioned. Eventually reached the sub peak saddle, then scrambled to get to the Rotstock peak and Cross. I was also joined by 3 other climbers some 10 minutes later. Took photos of the peak and of the Eiger west flank. Amazed at the proximity of the Eiger north face west flank!

Advised by the other climbers on the best route for the descent. It involved descent on scree, snow and some downclimbing on fixed ropes to the Eigergletscher station. Sounded more dangerous than the ascent! But I was able to manage the descent and just followed the blue/white markers. In all, the total ascent and descent from/to the station took under 5 hours. Overall, the VF wasn't very difficult but the location on the Eiger north face and its historical setting made it a very interesting climb!

The weather became fine on my last day in Grinelward and I wanted to see the Jungfraujoch before going to Zurich to visit my sister and family. It is a very impressive achievement and has undergone incredible redevelopment since I last saw it some 40 years ago!

Hiking to base of Allalinhorn mountain

Guide Dominik heading to start of climb

Team heading to start of climb

Other climbing teams heading up

Waiting our turn to start the zig zag climb

Summit Cross in sight

Team summits Allalinhorn 4027M

Team summits Allalinhorn

Crossing summit ridge back to minor peak

Lunch on minor peak

Distant views of Pollux climbed 2 years ago from summit.

Danger of crevasses

Eiger North Face Climb and Rotstock VF Climb. Source: Summitpost.org

Start of Rotstock VF climb from Eigergletscher station

Sign at the Eiger North Face

Ladders at the start of the Rotstock VF at the west flank of the Eiger

VF Equipment on and ready to go!

VF Lanyard with double karabiners clipped on the self belay line!

Ladders on the VF

Climbing on unprotected stratified rock

Former Rotstock train station long closed

Rotstock station in its heyday. Source: Grindelward Museum

Former observation deck from the Rotstock station

Protected scrambling

Upward traverse towards the summit saddle

Some scrambling to get to the Rotstock summit

On the Rotstock summit 2663M

An acrobatic climber on the Rotstock summit!

Photo of the west flank of the Eiger North Face from Rotstock

Start of the descent from Rotstock on rocky scree.

Snow obstacle encountered on the descent

Ropes used for downclimbing from the Rotstock

Typical stratified rock encountered on descent

A view of the Monch from the Jungfraujoch

A crowded Sphinx on the Jungfraujoch.

They sell foodstuffs at Beijing airport just like books!

#brian chung #harnessblueadventures #allalinhorn climb

MARCH 2014: MT BATUR VOLCANO CLIMB BALI INDONESIA

I spent a wonderful week in Bali during March with my wife Leila. Leila had some time available before the publication of her debut novel Chasing Shadows by Random House Australia in May. Refer http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/leila-yusaf-chung/chasing-shadows-9780857983305.aspx

We spent time in Nusa Dua and Ubud and wanted to do do an excursion together that was both different and adventurous! We settled on the popular Mt Batur (1717M) volcano climb that was being advertised on many websites in Bali. Mt Batur last erupted in 1968. We booked the tour via the internet and waited expectantly but got worried when it rained incessantly the day before. Leila sms'd the tour operator about rain contingencies and promptly got a response "Don't worry, it doesn't rain in the mountains!"

The following morning, we were picked up by our tour operator at 1.30AM, and headed off to the mountains in incessant rain. We arrived at the starting point also in incessant rain. We waited for the rain to abate and finally set off for the volcano with rain coats and headlamps. The two guides and the tour operator were impressed with our technology which included headlamps, walking poles, altitude meter and leather gloves!

After a steady climb of over 2 hours we reached a viewing hut via a sandy then rocky path. Here we had breakfast of egg and bread and met the other participants, including the Indian honeymooners, the wife with a black eye, who posed for simulated action photos, the Canadians who were just amazed that we were there, and the Singaporean family with their precocious 10YO kid. We visited the crater of the volcano near the Mt Batur sign and fed the monkeys that were everywhere. I noticed that some monkeys were warming their butts by putting their posteriors into the crater fissures! The guides also showed us the temple situated in the crater. The Balinese treat all their temples and mountains with great respect. Everyone decided to return to the starting point as it was still raining and the path was slippery. On the way back, the guides advised us to avoid walking into webs of a deadly spider which looked very similar to the St John's Cross spider. Apparently, you have 30 minutes to take the anti-venom should you get bitten!

Finally, we got back to the hotel room around 1.30PM, had lunch and then enjoyed our spa treatment! A nice reward for going on our enjoyable but damp excursion!