The base of the mountain is called “the Heavenly Stairs.” (Image below)

Continuing up the Heavenly Stairs. (Image below)

Below you will see “towns” that spring up to support the temples at the peaks. This area is still fairly safe and doesn’t require much caution. (Image below)

Now for the exciting part. First you take a gondola ride to the base of the southern peak. (Image below)

After the gondola drops you off, there is a short distance of path. The path gets tighter and tighter, until the only way to continue is by sections of planks put together to bridge the gaps. (Image below)

The railing is a series of chains and carabiners, padlocked to metal stakes that have been hammered into the mountain face. (Michelle here… note no protection at the time these pictures were taken. There is a video below which shows that protection has since been added, meaning wearing a harness attached to a new line via biners and runners.) (Image below)

When meeting someone going the opposite direction, the only possible way to pass is by backing up to the closest landing, then letting the other person pass. (Image below)

I can’t imagine constructing this path. Flags mark which path you’re on. There are several paths, which go to other locations; mostly landings that have larger standing areas. (Image below)

After moving around the side of the mountain, the mountain begins to slope, so we can stop going around, and start moving in a more direct line to the peak. You can make out steps on the left side of this picture. (Michelle here…. It is difficult to see what the photographer is talking about here. This is more apparent in a video below.) (Image below)

The final stretch goes straight up the mountain face. Toe holes have been hammered out. (Michelle here…. Now up until this point, I would have been perfectly fine, both with and without protection. But this part of the journey is very intimidating and I would be proceeding with my heart beating in my throat.) (Image below)

Once you make it to the top, there is a long path that saddles the mountain top. This path brings you to the peak. (Image below)

And finally, the peak! Atop of this peak is the the southern temple, a teahouse which is probably more revered for its location than its tea. (Image below)