Mountain guardian cleans up the climb

New challenge

The Year of the Sheep for Kawagebo occurs again in 2027 and A Qingbu is preparing for a surge of pilgrims. Along the kora route, more than 20 local families are constructing wooden huts and shelters to sell food and supplies to pilgrims next year. Each new grocery stand will inevitably generate more trash.

A Qingbu provides each builder with garbage bags and asks them to leave their trash near the construction site. "That way, when we come to collect, it's easier," he said. Next year, he plans to add a third cleanup in July. "If the garbage is still too much, we might add another," he said.

With the new funding from Arc'teryx, A Qingbu also plans to construct four wooden huts at various campsites along the kora route to provide free shelter for pilgrims. One hut is already nearing completion, with only the roofing left to finish. "Currently, we're using plastic as a temporary solution for the roof," he said. "We're still searching for more reliable and environmentally friendly materials to use for the roofing."

In 2023, he left his guiding work to focus entirely on the cleanup efforts. As long as pilgrims walk the kora and the mountain stands, he said, he will continue collecting and carrying the trash down.

chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn