Sports fans take to the great outdoors again

Scaling peaks

In 2016, Jiao Yang set out to climb the 5,588-meter-high Nochma peak in the Gongga Mountains in Sichuan province, but had to abandon the attempt just 200 meters from the summit due to low body temperature and altitude sickness.

It was the first time that she had tried to conquer a snow-covered mountain. However, the failure did not deter her.

Since then, she has reached the summits of three snow-covered peaks, including Nochma and the 6,168-meter-high Chola Mountain in Sichuan. She paid about 10,000 yuan for each trip.

"I was attracted by an online video of snowy mountain scenery, so I decided to see it for myself, but it never occurred to me that it could be such a hard journey," said Jiao, 37, an accountant from Beijing.

"Once you reach the summit, you become addicted to climbing such mountains. The higher I go, the happier I am," she said.

"The rolling mountains and patches of cloud contrast with the hustle and bustle of the city. It seems to me that these mountains, which have been with us for eons, represent eternity."

To improve her strength, Jiao exercises regularly by running with a heavy load. She also does speed-climbing.

In addition to rock climbing, she explores caves in outlying areas of Beijing with professional clubs. She uses ropes to ascend and descend into a 200-meter-deep cave, and sometimes removes rubbish from the interior.

"This is preparation for climbing an ice wall 100 or 200 meters high. If you fail to do so, you will be forced to give up halfway, as there is no other option," she said.

Jiao said it is important to climb snow-covered mountains with a qualified club, which will provide a professional guide, porters and horses to carry equipment. Local mountain climbing associations award certificates to those who reach summits.

A guide cooks simple dishes for team members and collects supplies from campsites on the mountains.

At higher altitudes, climbers eat instant noodles and canned food. If there is no water source nearby, they use melted snow. All rubbish must be left at fixed points before being taken downhill for disposal.

An itinerary ranges from four to six days. Team members pitch camp on the mountains and brave freezing temperatures to enjoy views of starry skies, including the Milky Way.

"Snow-mountain climbing challenges your limits in all respects," Jiao said, adding that it takes great determination to deal with altitude sickness, and climbers are also prone to headaches and nausea while ascending.

She said that to protect themselves from low temperatures, climbers should buy expensive equipment such as waterproof clothing.

Dangers can lurk in bad weather and other situations.

"Safety always counts. As a snow-mountain climber, you need to be aware of all the potential risks. In addition to regular exercise and the right equipment, you should always follow a guide's professional advice," Jiao said.

As team members descended Chola Mountain, heavy snowfall meant they were unable to find a rope laid down by their guide to indicate the route. They had to rely solely on the guide's sense of direction.

As they passed an area with cracks in the ice, they roped themselves together. Jiao accidentally fell into a hole in the snow, but her teammates immediately pulled her out.

She was planning to climb a snow mountain every year, but the pandemic halted her ambitions. Instead, she has exercised regularly in preparation for new adventures.