Its Final Defense --- It has been estimated that over 30 miles of the Wall in the Gansu Province may disappear in the next 20 years due to erosion from sandstorms. The height of the wall has been reduced from more than fifteen feet to less than five feet in most places. The majority of the square lookout towers that characterize our image of the Great Wall have disappeared completely. Here in China's western desert land, much of the wall was constructed from mud, rather than brick and stone, and is extremely susceptible to erosion.

Sadly, the survival of the Great Wall depends not on reversing erosion, but on the photographic images that record its magnificence before it eventually is reduced to nothing more than ancient history and legend.  And,  the Chinese government is making it so hard to capture and retain any historical photos. 

Could there have been more towers to the west, had I been physically and mentally able of continuing?  Maybe?  But I had reached the end in my mind and I seriously doubt that any photo exists of a tower past these final tower photos.  If so, I would love to se them.