On May 30, a gathering of climbers officially kicked off in the Baihe Rock Climbing Area in Beijing. The air over the entire Baihe climbing zone was filled with an electric excitement that stirred everyone’s hearts, as a series of thrilling climbing activities commenced.
This marks the second time Osprey has collaborated with the Baihe Climbing Fund. As a professional outdoor gear brand that was among the first in China to promote the outdoor lifestyle, Osprey has, since its founding in 1996, been committed to providing top-notch equipment for those passionate about exploration and nature. The brand truly upholds excellence in quality and applies its extensive experience in mountaineering and adventure to all its outdoor products.
During the opening ceremony of the climbing festival, as the excitement among the climbers grew, Mr. Gaila, General Manager of Osprey, expressed his passion for the sport of climbing and his support and hopes for its development in China. He also introduced the history and progress of the Baihe Climbing Fund to the climbers and numerous media representatives present.
The supporting partner of this event, the Baihe Climbing Fund, was jointly established by rock climbing enthusiasts from Beijing and surrounding areas through their own efforts, and has received years of help and support from the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Osprey, and Qiyun Expeditions. It is primarily dedicated to promoting and popularizing the sport of climbing, cleaning and developing new natural climbing areas and routes, and creating more natural climbing opportunities for climbers. To date, the Baihe Climbing Fund has been active for fifteen years, receiving tens of thousands of yuan in donations and various route-setting equipment from climbing enthusiasts. After years of effort and accumulation, the dedication of climbers and route developers has resulted in numerous established climbing routes.
The main activities of this Baihe Climbing Festival spanned two days and brought together over 300 participants from both China and abroad. These included professional climbers and outdoor sports enthusiasts, as well as beginners who had just started climbing or were completely new to the sport. The crowd also featured media professionals covering outdoor activities, travel, photography, and social life. For this climbing festival, Osprey specially invited internationally renowned climbing experts to guide the route setting, sharing their professional knowledge with every climber present. On the 30th, climbers drawn to the towering cliffs eagerly joined the free climbing sessions. Many onlookers seized the rare learning opportunity to carefully observe the every move of the professional climbers and engage in discussions with one another. Everyone was frequently captivated by the daring and graceful moves of the experts, with admiration echoing throughout the venue. Many participants were experiencing climbing for the first time, and after receiving patient guidance from instructors and personally scaling the walls, they were amazed by the allure of the sport. On the day of the event, the organizers also held a special hiking activity—one of the increasingly popular outdoor pursuits in China. Participants not only challenged their personal limits but also enjoyed the beauty of nature. This activity provided yet another platform for climbers to connect and share experiences. Additionally, a lucky draw with prizes from sunglasses brand Julbo, along with support from car brand BMW and electrolyte drink brand Pocari Sweat, added to the lively atmosphere. Throughout the day, whether climbing or hiking, participants thoroughly enjoyed the natural routes offered by the newly developed Wudaoling area of Baihe.
In the evening of the 30th, the Baihe Climbing Fund gala provided climbers with a chance to relax and connect. The event featured a donation handover ceremony for the Baihe Fund and a lucky draw, followed by a beer and barbecue party that treated everyone to delicious food. The main venue, filled with laughter and song, made the Baihe Climbing Festival a true celebration of climbing.