Venturing into the uncharted, are you up for it? The PRO TREK PRW-60YBM accompanied me on my Meili adventure.

Nothing is more thrilling than exploring the unknown.

That flutter of excitement at the possibility of a “surprise around every corner” always stirs the deepest joys within.

So, to avoid the holiday crowds during the seven-day National Day break, my photographer friend Alpha and I started planning our trip two whole months in advance. After much deliberation, we finally settled on an unnamed “virgin route” near the Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan, choosing it over several classic trekking routes such as the Everest East Slope Kangma Valley, the Xixiabangma Ice Towers, and the Luozha Kulagangri.

For this route, the only known information was two things: starting from Yagong Village + there’s a campsite called Pojun.

With that in mind, before the trip, my friends and I packed just about every piece of gear we could think of: a jam-packed 120L load-bearing sack, several lightweight backpacks plus a 45L mountaineering backpack, three cameras, five lenses, portable hard drives, and a bucket of batteries (the bucket is great because it’s both crush-proof and waterproof, and makes for easy access and organization).

Photo caption: This was probably one of the few times I’ve traveled with such an overloaded baggage situation.

Aside from the organized gear, there were three core items with the highest usage rate: phone, backpack, and watch. Given the long duration of the trip and the need to enter the mountains, it really paid off to put some thought into the selection.

Photo caption: Since the load was already heavy, the everyday gear I carried needed to be fully functional, reliable, and lightweight.

This time, I chose the CASIO PRO TREK PRW-60YBM, whose standout features are concentrated in its strap: a detachable, specially woven material to reduce weight, and for the first time, it uses the “MXP?” deodorizing material MAXIFRESH?, designed to tackle the inevitable sweat odor and bacterial growth during long hikes, thereby enhancing comfort.

Photo caption: Later in the journey, there were frequent water-crossing sections, and I’m really glad I had it on.

With the best gear in place, most of the trip logistics were sorted.

In the two days following September 26, my other five companions and I gradually gathered in Dali, Shangri-La, and Deqen County, before taking a chartered vehicle to the starting point of the route—Yagong Village.

One teammate who joined us in Shangri-La forgot his watch and instantly fell for my CASIO PRW-60YBM, insisting on trying it out. In the end, he became particularly fond of its “solar-powered drive” feature.

Photo caption: My companion was very taken with this new CASIO PRW-60YBM.

Yagong Village is currently labeled on maps as “Shuangpei Zhong,” located northwest of Deqen County in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Starting from the county town, follow National Highway 214 toward Tibet for about 50 kilometers, then take a small road on the left after crossing the Lancang River Bridge and drive up for 22 kilometers to reach it.

Early on October 1st, too excited to watch the National Day military parade at the guide’s home, our team packed up and headed into the mountains.

Looking back, spending the 70th anniversary of our country “exploring the unknown” felt quite fitting.

The first day of any hike is usually relatively intense and tough.

From an altitude of 3,050 meters to the 4,120-meter campsite, the team walked for 11 hours. Despite the steady ascent, the overall terrain wasn’t too challenging, covering a total distance of 17.5 kilometers.

We walked with frequent stops, not just for rest but also to admire roadside “delicacies.” At one point, we stopped to pick a handful of wild raspberries for a quick snack, instantly shaking off our fatigue and feeling thoroughly content.

Photo caption: Wild raspberries, also known as mountain berries or brambles, are rich in various amino acids, with a notably high content of linoleic acid (reportedly 11.67%). Just look for their distinctive appearance and enjoy them with confidence.

The first night’s campsite could be considered five-star: flat and spacious terrain, with several makeshift shelters nearby and close proximity to a water source. Since the next two nights’ campsites would also be here, it’s advised to set up your tent securely.

With good visibility, I quickly set up my camera with two tripods to capture a time-lapse. The gentle sound of the stream, the gradually darkening sky, and the Milky Way slowly emerging—it all felt so familiar: the star-studded sky filled my vision, and the Goddess Peak and General Peak nearby looked even more graceful under the cosmic backdrop.

Photo caption: Though, I couldn’t help but feel the Milky Way here wasn’t as bright as in Tibet. Maybe 4,100 meters in altitude still isn’t high enough.

Suddenly, an exceptionally long meteor streaked across the sky, ending near General Peak, like the fall of a mighty general, leaving behind only a fleeting moment of beauty.

We chose an uphill route and set off with light packs. Although the trail was a bit rough, it led us to a high point where we could see the three-faced glacier.

The weather wasn’t very stable that day, constantly shifting between overcast and sunny, which made me especially cherish the moments when I could get up close to the glacier. Sometimes, I couldn’t help but stare in a daze.

If you really get close to these masterpieces of nature, your emotions often shift from “Wow, so beautiful!” to a sense of loss thinking, “What if I can never see this again?”

So every time I take a photo, I usually treat it as if it might be the last one. While we’re at it, let me just say—no matter where you go, whether it’s a popular attraction or a remote path, always practice good environmental stewardship.

Photo caption: The water I drink every day is stored in a water bladder. I’ve been using this water bladder for three years.

For this trip, for example, we carried our own utensils, packed food in waterproof bags, and pre-processed any packaging that could be removed—leaving no foreign items in the mountains.

The terrain we covered this day was fairly complex: the team crossed a pass, saw snow, and had to frequently wade through small streams strewn with gravel.

Photo caption: After all the ups and downs, we finally got into a proper hiking rhythm.

On the backside of the slope after crossing the pass, there was quite a bit of snow. The winding downhill path was a bit slippery, so it’s recommended to use at least one trekking pole for this section. Data shows that properly using trekking poles can effectively reduce knee impact by 12%–25% in various environments.

The entire route is about half uphill and half downhill. Using trekking poles not only provides support on ascents but also offers effective cushioning on descents. I remember on the last day of the hike, during the downhill sections, we had to frequently cross streams, some of which were covered with gravel—the trekking poles were definitely a great help.

After more than two days of relatively intense hiking, it’s inevitable to feel sticky and sweaty. The main body was fine, but things like headbands and watches—besides the unpleasant smell of sweat—also became quite uncomfortable where the fabric touched the skin.

But this time, the PRW-60YBM’s advanced “MXP?” odor-resistant material strap really came in handy. I didn’t have to endure the overpowering smell of my own sweat from an accidental upward sniff.

Photo caption: “MAXIFRESH?” technology neutralizes and adsorbs sweat odor components at the molecular level, delivering revolutionary and powerful deodorizing effects for all kinds of sweat odors that people worry about during sports, outdoor activities, and daily life.

Photo caption: The watch supports data calibration. When displaying altitude, pull out the right button and calibrate immediately according to the contour line elevation on your phone map, then push the button back.

On the fourth day, we had originally planned to hike up to a 5,200-meter pass to see the glacier, but unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate—it was all whiteout—so we started descending.

Who knew that shortly after starting the descent, the sky cleared up. But no worries—it’s all part of the best-laid plans.

We spent the time chatting, enjoying the breeze, soaking up the sun, and drying our shoes. It was quite relaxing.

But just as we arrived at the campsite, another small incident occurred: a half-hour downpour left the tent, which had finally dried during the day, wet again (just go with the flow…).

The slight annoyance from the previous day’s minor mishaps was completely blown away by the unbeatable views on the final day.

Photo caption: If I’d known I’d get to see such stunning scenery, even another hour of heavy rain wouldn’t have mattered~~

There were so many beautiful sights along the way. After crossing a small pass at around 4,300 meters, all the snow-capped mountains from the past few days spread out before us.

Around 2 p.m., we reached a water source—an outlet where mountain water flowed out and was visible on the ground, safe to drink directly. Taking a sip, it was cool and refreshing. I also used it to wash my face and rinse the PRW-60YBM strap. Its unique MXP? odor-resistant material, MAXIFRESH?, doesn’t trap sweat and is more breathable than other materials. Even if it gets smelly, a quick rinse does the trick.

The so-called MAXIFRESH? odor-resistant material is a fiber processed with nanotechnology to introduce carboxyl groups onto “regenerated fibers” made from eucalyptus. The carboxyl groups can adsorb ammonia, the main component of sweat odor, and neutralize it to eliminate the smell.

In addition to the above uniqueness, the PRO TREK PRW-60YBM is powered by solar energy, continuously drawing power from sunlight. It also features a third-generation triple sensor, can receive signals from six radio wave stations, and comes with a full suite of functions including waterproofing, altitude, temperature, and compass.

Moreover, its detailed design is also very thoughtful—for example, the white outer ring around the dial not only makes the hands easier to read but also adds a sporty and clean aesthetic.

Although the new five-day route didn’t involve much adventure or excitement, it was still a joy to explore the unknown.

Next holiday, skip the tourist group check-ins—grab your favorite and reliable gear and set off on an unfinished journey~~