To venture into the Altun Mountains, one must first sharpen their tools.

“I exercise every day to maintain my physical fitness—the Altun Mountains are no joke,” said Lei Diansheng5when talking about the May expedition to the Altun Mountains, his voice brimming with excitement.

Blue skies, snow-capped mountains, glaciers,deserts,swamps, grasslands, lakes, rocky peaks, and wildlife… everything in the Altun Mountains attracts Lei Diansheng like a magnet. Known as “Gold Mountain” in the Uyghur language, legends of gold mines have lured brave adventurers and gold prospectors. But Lei Diansheng is mining for dreams—a sense of destiny in exploration and a deep longing for the outdoors. Years ago, when Lei Diansheng first faced the Altun Mountains, he was forced to turn back due to harsh weather, tough natural conditions, and inadequate gear and logistical support, leaving behind a lingering regret. Lei Diansheng said this trip to the Altun Mountains is a “dream-fulfilling” journey. When Gore proposed supporting Lao Lei’s trek through the Altun Mountains, he immediately began making all the necessary preparations.

Lei Diansheng’s first priority was building up his stamina. In addition to maintaining regular workouts and doing simple exercises, he often goes mountain climbing. Even after hiking continuously for5hours, he still feels full of energy: “The climate and environmental conditions in the Altun Mountains still require ample preparation, especially5early in the month when it’s still very cold.”

In addition, equipment preparation was done with meticulous attention to detail. In Lei Diansheng’s words, details often determine success or failure in the face of harsh environments. Confronted with “strong winds,” “low temperatures,” “wetlands,” “rocky terrain,” and “thorny bushes”—the ever-changing geographic challenges—windproof jackets, shoes, and goggles are essential items for Lei Diansheng’s Altun Mountains journey. The Altun Mountains, where breathtaking scenery coexists with a harsh climate, has long, frigid winters and short, windy, dry summers. The lowest monthly average temperature ranges from20°C to30°C below zero, with an ice and snow period lasting9months. Strong winds are common in winter and spring, with the monthly average maximum wind speed reaching5meters per/second. Natural disasters are frequent, with threats such as flash floods, droughts, hailstorms, gales, and sudden temperature drops constantly endangering the safety of visitors. Lei Diansheng said that a fully functional windproof jacket will provide necessary safety and protection for this journey,GORE-TEX? Performance Shell 3Land the fabric product is one of his “weapons” for “conquering” the Altun Mountains. This product is an innovative extension based on the legendary performance ofGORE-TEX?fabric—renowned for its durable waterproofing, powerful windproofing, and high breathability. It prevents internal clothing from freezing in low temperatures, and its superior thermal conductivity and moisture management allow sweat to evaporate through micro-pores even in humid conditions, perfectly handling the intense physical activity in the Altun region’s highly variable and extreme temperature environment. Its unique single-layer structure is lighter and more portable, especially suitable for high-altitude treks, reducing the load.

Lei Diansheng holds a Gore product in his right hand, giving a detailed introduction to the equipment preparations for the trip.

 

 

Now, the battle-hardened veteran Lei still prepares for the trip as meticulously and seriously as a newcomer, following his plan step by step. Lei Diansheng said frankly that with the support of Gore this time, equipment and logistical issues are no longer obstacles to crossing the Altun Mountains. He just hopes to be well-prepared physically to take on the journey.

 Synchronized to youmezz's Weibo