Li Xiaoshi, a mountaineer from Matsu who once carried a statue of Mazu to climb Mount Everest, will next month attempt to conquer the world’s fourth-highest peak, Lhotse, as he moves closer to completing his goal of scaling the 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. On the afternoon of the 8th, Li departed from Kaohsiung and transferred flights en route to Nepal. Chen Jingzhong, deputy magistrate of Lienchiang County, and others saw him off at the airport, wishing him safety, success, and a smooth journey.
Li, who is 58 years old this year, plans to tackle Lhotse between May 10 and 25 for the summit push, returning to Taiwan on June 10. He said that climbing Lhotse not only requires overcoming rugged and harsh terrain but also demands rock climbing and ice climbing skills, as well as enduring prolonged isolation, extreme cold, and the physical and mental challenges of high-altitude, low-oxygen conditions.
He stated that the expedition will require approximately NT$1.6 million in funding, and expressed gratitude to the Lienchiang County Government, fellow Matsu residents, and local entrepreneurs for helping raise the necessary funds. This time, he will be carrying a statue of Mazu along with Matsu fish noodles and alcoholic beverages to the summit. In addition to promoting Matsu, he also plans to share these items with Sherpa guides and fellow climbers.
Following his successful ascent of Mount Everest—the world’s highest peak—while carrying a Mazu statue in 2009, Li Xiaoshi went on to climb Manaslu two years ago, and last year attempted the world’s third-highest peak, Kanchenjunga.
Lhotse stands at 8,516 meters above sea level, located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, adjacent to the southern side of Mount Everest, and shares the same Everest Base Camp. It is understood that the route from the base camp to Camp III is the same as that for Everest; the southern face of Lhotse features an elevation gain of about 3.4 kilometers within a horizontal distance of just 2.25 kilometers, making it the steepest face in the world, with very few successful summits attempted from this side.
Li Xiaoshi is carrying nearly 500 kilograms of food and equipment, accompanied by two Taiwanese partners, though he will attempt the summit alone. Since 1986, when the first climber completed the challenge of ascending all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, a total of 29 people have been officially certified. However, hundreds have not only failed but also lost their lives in the attempt.