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Hikers say they waited five hours in line for a two-minute scramble through a narrow mountain crevice barely wide enough for one person at a time in the steep cliffs of theTaihang Mountains.
The incident happened on July 26th near the Yitiantian Canyon in Shanxi Province, China, on a stretch of trail known locally as the One Line Sky, prompting the Gujiao Township government to issue a notice two days later warning of flooding risks and temporarily closing several hiking routes.
Video footage shows long queues of hikers inching their way across a narrow ledge, gripping chains bolted into the rock wall as they pass through a dramatic stone corridor high above the valley floor.
Mr Yang, a hiking enthusiast who joined the trek with friends, said they reached the queue at about 11 am and were still waiting five hours later.
He said some hikers appeared to be first-timers or part of group tours wearing shoes with poor grip, and many slipped along the way.
He explained that the canyon has two possible crossings: one route descends to the valley floor via chains, while the other uses iron rods hammered into the rock.
After heavy rain on July 24th, the river current rose and obscured the lower path, forcing most hikers onto the upper ledge.
Mr Yang passed through the canyon at around 5pm but did not reconnect with a separated friend until 11pm, describing how a man behind him froze on the ledge, unsure where to place his feet.
The government later said the trail closure was due to slippery surfaces, potential rockfalls, and flood damage to infrastructure such as footpaths and guardrails.
They confirmed the One Line Sky route would remain shut until conditions improved.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
Byline Journalist: Mike Leidig
Byline Sub editor: Simona Kitanovska
Byline Spotter: Ivica Stojanovski
Byline Commisioning Editor: Mike Leidig
Byline Senior Writer: Mike Leidig
Byline Picture Editor: Zorica Stojkovik
Byline Video Editor: Aloysius Fernandes
Byline Copychecker: Emily Wu
Byline Illustrator: Angela Trajkovska
Byline News Editor: Mike Leidig
Geography: Taihang_Mountains
Subject: Accidents, Accidents In Water, Accidents Involving People
T4 Editor Story Rating: 6
T4 Editor Pic/Vid rating: 7
T4 Total rating: 6.5
