Q&A with... Chris Yu
Avid hiker, professional photographer
This issue, we talk to Chris Yu, an experienced hiker from Hong Kong
who has accumulated conquests of formidable peaks - the likes of
New Zealand’s Mount Ollivier, the Japanese Alps, China’s Haba Snow
Mountain and more - under his belt.
By Cheryl Kho, Images by Chris YuON HIKING AND PHOTOGRAPHY
I actually started landscape photography
way back when I was in uni in New Zealand
in 2010.
Now I sometimes hike up mountains to
take photos of the sunrise or sunset. Then I
met more friends in the mountains, I started
to go hiking with them around Hong Kong
or overseas.
I always go to the mountains for the
view. Well, of course to take photos too,
but I tend to take my time to enjoy it with
my own eyes.WORDS OF WISDOM FOR BEGINNERS
If you are a first-time hiker, get a friend to
do an easy trail with you. In Hong Kong,
I would recommend first time hikers to
try Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak, both
mountains are located on Lantau Island of
Hong Kong. Both trails are well-developed
and can be completed within 3 to 5 hours.
For these trails, it’s best to go in autumn
and winter, around October to March.
Check the weather beforehand, do
some research on the length and duration
of the trail. Learn what kind of gear or
clothes you need. If you plan to go hiking
overseas, the easiest way is to hire a
mountain guide, get some experience
before you plan it on your own.ON HIS NEXT CONQUESTS!
In July, I’ll be climbing Mt. Tsurugi in
Toyama Prefecture at 2999m, one of the
most dangerous mountains in Japan.
The most exciting one is in August, I’ll be
climbing Mont Blanc in France, one of the
Seven Summits!ON PREPARING FOR DIFFICULT HIKES
3 months before my 8-day Japanese Alps
expedition last year, I started doing 5-8
kilometre runs on a daily basis.
It helps to build up your
cardiopulmonary function and physical
fitness.
I also had been hiking and doing trail
running on the weekends, to get used to
the slope gradient. Depending on your
expedition. If I’m doing one that requires
me to carry a load on my back, then I’ll put
whatever I need for it in my backpack when
I do my weekend hikes to get used to the
weight too.Like every other mountain
out there, it doesn’t go away.
You can always go back.
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