Peak performers set their sights high

Safety concerns

As climbing snow mountains attracts more participants, security has become an increasingly important issue.

On May 18, Chen Xuebin, a 52-year-old mountaineer from Guizhou province, died as he attempted to reach the summit of Qomolangma.

Tenzin, a native Tibetan mountain guide and manager of a company that provides climbing and trekking services in Tibet autonomous region, said mountaineers face various dangers on Qomolangma.

"On the Nepal side, they encounter ice slides on the Khumbu glacier, frostbite and anoxia (the absence of oxygen supply to an organ or tissue)," Tenzin said.

"On the China side, they face anoxia, high-altitude sickness and strong winds. To protect themselves, climbers should have sufficient experience, register with a mountaineering company, and employ a reliable guide."

Industry insiders said a great deal of preparatory work is required before climbing Qomolangma. Years of physical training must be acquired, guides need to be hired, and climbers should learn how to deal with emergencies.

Only when they are sufficiently familiar with their equipment, including oxygen bottle, winter coat, first aid kit, satellite phone, gloves, sleeping bag and tent, can they consider themselves fully protected.

In addition, they need to complete three processes. They should start with peaks more than 5,000 meters high, such as Siguniang Mountain, then try those above 7,000 meters, like Muztagh Ata, and finally tackle mountains of more than 8,000 meters, such as Mount Manaslu in Nepal and Cho Oyu on the China-Nepal border.

Climbers can choose the China or Nepal side for climbing Qomolangma. However, for both sides, mountaineers must be healthy and have the necessary equipment and experience. On the Chinese side, they should apply to the General Administration of Sport of China for permission to climb, and follow the requested route.

Luo Caifu, a snow-mountain guide on Haba Mountain, Yunnan, started climbing mountains in his childhood.

"My father is a guide on this mountain, and my climbing experience began with his help when I was 12. The hiking route we took was short, but I was happy about walking in the wild. In 2010, I followed tourists and reached the summit. Since then, I have guided tourists on every public holiday," Luo said.

He became a professional guide for mountaineers after he graduated in July 2019. "Some tourists ask me why I don't work in a big city. I tell them l love this job because I meet different people," Luo said.

He added that this year, he has served more than 400 climbers, a return to the pre-pandemic level.

Zhu Youfang contributed to this story.