Tai Mo Shan, Done

Here we are starting out on the hike towards Tai Mo Shan, aka Big Hat Mountain (大帽山). Alex is so happy that we've finally accepted him into our exclusive, elite hiking squad.

We soon get a great view of Shing Mun Reservoir (城門水塘) and Kwai Chung (葵涌).

Disaster strikes early in the hike when, at this location, a vicious flying insect of some sort attacks three of us, yours truly included. I am stung in the back of the head, Alex above the ear, and Eugene in the calf. We all began scrambling down this hill, clutching our wounds and screaming for dear life.

The hike goes on as there is no landing place for a helicopter rescue mission.

Here we are halfway to the peak. I have no idea what Yipeng did to get this photo looking so pollution-ridden/apocalyptic. (Photo courtesy of Yipeng Huang)

Alex's delicious dried pomelo snack cheers everyone up.

Overlooking Tai Po District (大埔區). Some say the ribbed structures in the hills are ancient tea terraces.

An abandoned military installation near Tai Mo Shan's summit. A sign reading "No Trespassing," a ten foot high fence wrapping all the way around, barbed wire everywhere? Sounds like an unambiguous invitation to me. They could've just thrown out the welcome mat. (Photo courtesy of Yipeng Huang)

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Hmm, how to get in?

Here?

How 'bout the roof?

(Photo courtesy of Yipeng Huang)

Overlooking Shek Kong (石岡)

(Photo courtesy of Yipeng Huang)

(Photo courtesy of Yipeng Huang)

Success! We find our way in.

Time to explore.

Can you hear the screams of the souls of dead soldiers calling out to you from the walls?

Eugene walks down the scary hallway.

Yipeng being sucked through the door-of-no-return.

Tai Mo Shan, 3,140ft (957m) - done.

One more marvelous view before heading back down.

Eugene, fearing his lily white skin will get sunburned, lathers on the sunblock.