Deep in the heart of China lies a mountain called Huashan, home of, hiking path in the entire world. Mt. Huashan has been considered holy land, the peaks sacred and topped with temples. Along almost vertical rock faces this terrifying hike has become a rite of passage for both the Chinese and the most adventurous of ,

Even the beginning of the hike can be terrifying. Climbing almost vertically, these chiseled paths have become known as the "Stairs of Suicide". Stairs?

Immediately the hike challenges even the strong and brave. Ladders consist of metal bars jammed unevenly into crevasses in the rock and they climb to dizzying heights.

It is good advice to use a guide and to have climbing gear such as straps with , in case you slip. Oh, and don't look down.

Spikes driven into the stone help support chains that climbers use for balance and protection. I am sure they are inspected on a somewhat irregular basis.

At times the chain handholds become more vertical and some thoughtful person has carved holes in the rock so you can get a grip or foothold.

I did mention the dizzying heights, correct? This sheer rock face has tiny ledges that hikers must use to carefully make their way across.

Boards are often laid horizontally to create a path where no foothold can be found. These boards look suspiciously old and weathered. Remember, at this altitude wind blows constantly, and ice and snow are a constant threat.

If you look down from your perch and become frightened, or if you feel tired, or perhaps if you decide this was a mistake, just remind yourself that as hard as the hike may be, somebody else did the same hike with lumber, chisels, chain, all of the materials needed to make the hike easy for you.

Of all the sections on the hike this is the most photogenic, perhaps the most terrifying, and the images are the most likely to make someone want to challenge themselves with this hike. You? Don't blame Robot Nine if it turns into more than you bargained for.

What does a hiker do if another hiker comes around this corner headed in the opposite direction?

From all over China and around the world people come to test their nerve, to take home the bragging rights of reaching the temple at the top of the Mt. Huashan trail. Even the stairs at the end as seen in this photo are dangerous. Statistics on injuries and death seem to be sorely lacking, but one climber seen an elderly Chinese man slip and slide down the rock, barely succeeding in grabbing a chain and living another day. The old man hopped up and warned in perfect English "This trail is dangerous. Be careful"!

If the danger and fear are too much you can reach the temple much easier by riding the cable cars, which are a bit of a scary ride themselves.

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