Launched by the Osprey brand, the Snow Mountain Guardianship Program promotes safe mountaineering, mobilizes diverse stakeholders to care about China’s climbing environment, and advances the development of mountaineering in China. On April 28, Osprey brought together figures from mountaineering, media, nature conservation, and the arts for a glacier exploration trip to the snow mountains, passing through Lhasa, Shigatse, and Dingri en route to the Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Together, they witnessed and embodied the spirit of "guarding life, guarding nature, and guarding dreams" through their actions.
Perseverance, Unleashing the Radiance of Life
On the morning of April 29, the team first visited the Tibet Mountaineering School and toured the world’s highest-altitude museum—the Everest Museum—where they gained a profound understanding of humanity’s climbing history on Everest. In the afternoon, Nyima Tsering, principal of the Tibet Mountaineering School, and members of the high-altitude rescue team shared their stories. Initially, Nyima Tsering faced great difficulties in establishing the Tibet Mountaineering School but eventually succeeded with the support of the Osprey brand. Years of mountaineering and high-altitude rescue experience made Nyima deeply emotional when recounting the formation of the rescue team. The process was as challenging as when he first founded the school, but adversity did not defeat him. With strong backing from Osprey, after years of development, the high-altitude rescue team was officially established last year, becoming China’s first official professional high-altitude rescue team.
Like Nyima Tsering, acutely aware of the importance of life safety in mountaineering, Sun Lingye, China’s first WMA instructor, shared his own experiences and stories, hoping to better protect lives. Later, the high-altitude rescue team’s on-site simulated rock wall rescue drills deeply impressed everyone with the resilience and fragility of life during climbs. Life needs to be protected together; life shines because of perseverance.
Some team members who flew directly from Beijing to Lhasa experienced altitude sickness, but no one gave up easily, as everyone understood the significance of this journey. As the trip continued, despite the rising altitude, the team’s morale grew even higher. The radiance of life shone brighter because of perseverance.
Guardianship, Where Hope Shines Through Adversity
The team advanced along the way, passing the beautiful Yamdrok Lake and the majestic Karola Glacier before arriving in Shigatse, then continuing toward Dingri. Amid the bumpy ride and under the blue sky and white clouds, Everest Base Camp drew ever closer.
On May 2, after overcoming altitude sickness, tough road conditions, and a car tire blowout, the Osprey Snow Mountain Guardianship team arrived at Everest Base Camp and visited the families of two Tibetan mountaineers in Qude Village, Zhaxizong Township. Ms. Liu Pingge, General Manager of Osprey, stated that this visit gave the team a comprehensive understanding of the lives and conditions of Tibetan mountaineers’ families, further solidifying the importance of Osprey’s over ten-year collaboration with the Tibet Mountaineering School. They hope to protect the dreams of more Tibetan children and change their lives through various means.
On May 3, the team witnessed on-site rescue drills by the Tibet High-Altitude Rescue Team at Everest Base Camp, including the use of 3.5 kg high-altitude oxygen cylinders, hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatments, and emergency assistance for those who lose mobility at high altitudes. Media members even participated firsthand, fully experiencing the significance of protecting life and nature at high altitudes.
That day, the team also visited the famous Everest Cemetery. Professional mountaineer Kang Hua introduced the deceased buried there to the group. They came here for their dreams but vanished forever in the snow mountains. Due to the high altitude of the crash sites or avalanches, most graves are empty, with only simple stone tablets deeply engraved with their names. Standing solemnly there evoked sadness and awe, as everyone could clearly feel that beneath those modest stones, though no bodies lay, the pursuit of dreams remained. Thus, the team silently offered white khata scarves at the graves of these climbing heroes, honoring and inheriting the spirit of guarding dreams.
At the 5,200-meter altitude of Everest Base Camp, to prevent acute altitude sickness, the Osprey Snow Mountain Guardianship team descended that day. This brave and arduous journey was the best practice of the snow mountain guardianship spirit. By embodying this spirit through their actions, the team believes more people will join Osprey in firmly upholding the "guard life, guard nature, guard dreams" ethos and collectively focus on and advance China’s mountaineering cause.