Hike on Great Wall of China planned in spring for HPER students, faculty, alumni

Jan. 10, 2001

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A historic hike along sections of the Great Wall of China is being planned for May 6-17 as a cooperative venture in fellowship, fitness and goodwill between the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) and the Beijing University of Physical Education (BUPE).

Some 40 faculty, alumni, students, staff and friends of HPER will be joined by an equal number from BUPE for the event. Event coordinator David Gallahue, associate dean of HPER, said the participants will cover about 50 miles of Great Wall sections during five hiking days.

"Most areas of the Great Wall where we will hike are closed to the public," Gallahue explained, adding that this will be historic because it is the first official international hiking group given permission by the Great Wall Commission to walk along the Great Wall. "Our delegation of Chinese and Americans will hike the Great Wall together in the spirit of friendship, fitness and international understanding," said Gallahue, an accomplished hiker and back packer.

He said many of the HPER participants in the event will start a training program this month to prepare for the hike because parts of the route will be moderately strenuous and cover mountainous terrain.

Gallahue said the objectives of the hike include:

• celebrating 10 years of friendship and cooperation between HPER and BUPE that has produced several cultural exchanges;
• raising awareness throughout Indiana, the nation and the world about living well through healthy lifestyles, a cornerstone of the HPER philosophy exemplified by sound use of leisure time, formation of healthy life habits, and enjoyment of physical activity;
• securing sponsorship for playground equipment at communities along the hike route to serve as a permanent reminder of cooperation between BUPE and HPER.

Gallahue said plans call for developing a Web site for the event "to capture the spirit of the Great Wall walk and communicate this spirit to a worldwide audience."

In addition to the hiking, usually from five to eight hours each day, there will be welcome and farewell banquets, cultural events, and daily activities focusing on health, fitness, sport, recreation and leisure.

For more information on the China trip, contact Gallahue at 812-855-1561 or gallahue@indiana.edu

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