A 37-year-old from Wenzhou, Pan Zhengsheng, set off with other climbers to Nepal on the 8th of this month to prepare for an attempt on the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. Meanwhile, another 24 mainland Chinese climbers departed on the 12th from Tibet to begin their Everest ascent. Climbing Everest costs at least 300,000 yuan (RMB, the same below), or about NT$1.35 million. For a growing number of mainland climbers, even if they succeed in reaching the summit, they can only stand there for a brief five minutes—but they still find it deeply fulfilling.
Pan Zhengsheng is not the first person from Wenzhou to climb Everest. Before him, Nan Shizhen became the first Wenzhou native to summit Everest back in May 2007, though he climbed via the north side. There are two main routes to Everest: the south side in Nepal and the north side in Tibet (China). Each route has its own challenges and vastly different climates, but both share one ultimate goal—reaching the top of the world.
Over 200 Foreigners Take on the Challenge
Climbing Everest is an expensive endeavor. Take, for example, the “Dingfeng Expedition” high-altitude commercial climbing activity that Pan Zhengsheng joined. The expedition runs from the 9th of this month to May 27th, starting from Nepal. If weather conditions are favorable, summits are expected around mid-to-late May. The cost per person is 292,400 yuan, and when adding other miscellaneous expenses, the total easily exceeds 300,000 yuan. Despite the high cost, more and more mainland Chinese are attempting to climb Everest—and many even have to join a waitlist.
Mainland Chinese climbers are not only ascending Everest from the southern side in Nepal, but also from the northern side in Tibet. Soinam, head of the Tibet Mountaineering Association, stated that starting in April this year, over 240 foreign climbers from more than 30 countries—including Russia, Spain, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France—will take on challenges on Everest, Cho Oyu (8,201 meters, the world’s 6th highest), and Shishapangma (8,013 meters, the world’s 14th highest). Among them, more than 210 will attempt Everest, including 24 mainland Chinese climbers.
Soinam added that a vanguard team of over 100 members, jointly formed by the Tibet Mountaineering Association and Shengshan Expedition Company, had already set off on the 5th of this month for Everest’s north side base camp.
April to June: The Best Climbing Window
Unlike previous years, the north side Everest base camp this spring climbing season now has grid electricity supply, replacing the former diesel generators. This upgrade provides more stable, convenient, and clean power, while also eliminating noise pollution, allowing climbers to rest better.
Tibet boasts abundant mountain resources, including five peaks above 8,000 meters in elevation—one of which is Everest. Most climbing activities are concentrated in spring and autumn, with the optimal period for spring climbing being from April to June. Each year during this time, the region attracts large numbers of domestic and international mountaineering enthusiasts, with the number of mainland Chinese climbers growing steadily.