Mountain quest reveals hidden riches

He added that his local partner had worked with him for several days. Previously, the local would bring a home-cooked boxed meal, but due to the cold weather, he has taken Zeng's advice to bring biscuits and steamed buns instead.

Deep in the mountains, where telephone signals are generally weak, their emergency communication relies on the satellite phones carried in everyone's bags — both geologists and their local partners. For them, mobile phones are primarily used for recording purposes.

"We have a WeChat group where we post dozens of videos every day — surprising, thrilling, and strange ones. While our daily work can be tedious, seeing what others post not only reminds us that we're not alone but also highlights potential dangers," he said.

Zeng, like Wang, is responsible for geochemical prospecting. He pointed to a video of a colleague using a pickax to break through a 2-centimeter-thick layer of ice to collect soil samples underneath, which could reveal the region's properties.

"It's quite a unique experience, as few projects are conducted in winter," Zeng said, highlighting the daily temperature fluctuations. In the morning, they have to leave extra space in their bags for down jackets, which they take off at noon when it gets warmer.