Olga's panorama camera captures the group, coming and going
Temperatures dipped to freezing at night—at least freezing for a Californian. I was suddenly glad I brought the heavy jacket, hat and gloves that—along with the camera and tripod—weighed down my pack during the day.
The cloudy weather was ideal for strenuous uphill hiking, not for photography. The second day the sun was slightly less shy.
Laura takes a photo
At Halfway House
The mountains towered so high above us, we didn’t see the sun rise until almost 11am. By that time we were almost to Halfway House, a guesthouse famous for having the best view in the world from the toilet.
On the Halfway House balcony for a mid-morning snack
After Halfway House the path remained level but narrowed, and a dead mountain goat laying in the canyon below reminded us to watch our step.
The biggest challenge of the day was a waterfall. Not a huge waterfall, but one that flowed directly across the rocky (and now slippery) path overlooking a bottomless cliff.
Waterfall crossing the path
Wait, you mean we have to cross that?
My advice to all you photographers out there would be not to take pictures while crossing a waterfall on a steep mountain cliff. And if you do this, not to chase after your lens cap as it floats away. Not that I did this. I’m just sayin’.
The author wisely puts his camera away.
My China Year 
Oh my god. Lisa’s right. Your mother should not be reading this.