Victoria Skinner, Ben Travers Theatre (BTT) Technical Manager recently completed an incredible five-day trek along the Great Wall of China, raising over £1,000 for the charity Marie Curie.
22 Oct 2024
As part of a group of 36 participants, together they raised a remarkable total of £80,000, benefiting seven different charities. The Marie Curie team alone contributed £12,000 to this impressive effort.
The journey covered over 30 miles of the Wall, passing through original sections that were partially collapsed, restored areas, and re-built parts. Although 30 miles may not seem like a huge distance, the rugged terrain made each mile a challenging feat.
The adventure began with a gentle 4-5 mile walk on Day 1 to help the team acclimatize to the terrain – or so they thought! It was going smoothly until the local guide offered them a bonus section with steep steps, some waist-height, setting the tone for the tough climbs ahead.
On Day 2, the group trekked 9-10 miles along a partially collapsed original section of the Wall. In some places, the path narrowed dangerously, with huge drops on either side and no walls for protection. Part of the trek had to divert off the Wall due to an active military zone, but despite the tough climbs, the stunning views made it all worthwhile.
Day 3 brought a slightly shorter walk of 7-8 miles, though it featured much steeper and more demanding climbs. The highlight was enjoying a packed lunch at the top of a mountain inside a watch tower, with breath-taking views all around. The day also included a mini “Heavenly Ladder” with about 100 uneven stairs, preparing the team for the more daunting challenge to come.
Day 4 was the most intense, beginning with a climb of 1,000 steps just to access the Wall. From there, the team trekked through ten watchtowers before tackling the infamous Heavenly Ladder: 496 uneven steps set at a steep 45-degree angle, with the final ascent featuring waist-high steps. After the arduous climb, the group had the reward of descending via a toboggan ride after trekking through some 14 watch towers.
The final day, Day 5, saw a shorter 4–5-mile trek, though rain made the terrain slippery, and there were a couple of tumbles along the way – thankfully, no serious injuries, just a bit of unexpected acrobatics!
Reflecting on the experience, Victoria described it as "amazing, challenging, and breath-taking" and was grateful to learn so much about Chinese culture and architecture. New friendships were formed along the way, and the adventure has already sparked plans for the next challenge: the Inca Trail in 2026!
Congratulations Victoria on your incredible achievement!
