22-Nov-2011 08:27:56 AM [(GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi]

Two words to describe today - hard yakka! Overall a 32km very steep stage, Stage 2 - 10.3km long, started with stairs that went up and up and up for about hour and half, and took about another hour and half to reach Checkpoint 3. A few cramps at the top of stairs for my tentmate and I, but dealt with that well and we cruised through the rest of the course at a reasonable walking pace. Nausea bit of an issue today, half the camp has got a stomach bug, but apparently only lasts 24 hours so sure it'll be right. Tomorrow - 38km all uphill... time to go try eat some food and lighten my backpack! Thanks for all the comments, will check back in post Stage 3