On August 19, 2014, Zhang Yan, Gao Yang, and Ma Shanshan, as the champion team of the Professional Mountaineering Category in the 8th "Experience Without Limits – Gore-Tex Outdoor Dreams Realized," the first team to depart, and the first ever "all-female mountaineering team" since the event’s launch, achieved their dream of climbing Dopozha Peak. On December 6, Zhang Yan, the captain of the "female mountaineering team," appeared at the 2014 Gore-Tex™ Outdoor Dreams Realized "Path of Dreams" sharing event held by Beijing Wangfujing Department Store Group. Alongside Zhang Jingwei, Textile Market Director of Gore China, Huang Haoqiang, Vice President of the Business Unit of Beijing Wangfujing Department Store Group, Li Chunhui, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Department Store, Gore Heroes, Wang Xin, Leader of the Mountain Rescue Team of the Emergency Rescue Promotion Center under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Shi Yilang, Renowned Mountaineer and Public Welfare Advocate, Cai Shi, Renowned Humanistic Geographic Photographer, Guan Shanfeidu, Humanistic Geographic Photographer, Travel Writer, and Self-driving Adventure Traveler from the IBE Team of Gore Outdoor Heroes, and Geng Dong, Nature Photographer, as well as VIP members of Wangfujing Department Store Group, she reviewed the entire journey of climbing Dopozha Peak and shared female outdoor knowledge. The officially released "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide," based on the trio’s past mountaineering experience, discusses the "things women face when climbing mountains" — covering areas such as physical training, female psychological aspects of mountaineering, gear selection, and menstrual protection.
Zhang Jingwei, Textile Market Director of Gore China, and Huang Haoqiang, Vice President of the Business Unit of Beijing Wangfujing Department Store Group, jointly unveiled the parchment scroll, marking the official release of the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide."
The “Preparation Battle” Before Climbing
"Before climbing Dopozha Peak, we did a lot of physical and technical training. This was a crucial part of the preparation before the climb. Even when we reached base camp, we were still simulating rescue operations and learning about avalanches under the guidance of our coach," said Zhang Yan. The on-site released "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide" highlights pre-climb preparations, dedicating significant space to sharing advice on physical training, technical training, load-bearing, gear, and other items to bring. For instance, in the physical training section, running is recommended as an accessible option for modern women, with goals of running five to ten kilometers. "Weekend suburbs" are suggested for training venues. Additionally, exercises such as planks, weighted squats, pull-ups, and push-ups — currently highly recommended — are endorsed to help women strengthen their core muscle groups.
At the event, Zhang Yan, captain of the "female mountaineering team," appeared to review the entire Dopozha Peak climbing journey with everyone.
Shortly after departure, the "female mountaineering team" encountered continuous rainy weather. "During the climb, we were fortunate to have the protection of Gore-Tex™ fabric gear. When raindrops landed on our sleeves, they just slid right off," recalled Zhang Yan. Regarding gear, the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide" not only includes "professional outdoor gear, pantyhose, cotton socks, wool socks, gloves, long pants, PP underwear, shirts, sun hats" in the gear list but also offers skincare "advice." Basic items such as toner, lotion, sunscreen, face masks, and serums are listed as "approved items." Makeup products, however, are placed on the "climbing blacklist." It’s also worth noting that, "only hydrating face masks should be brought, serums can be in pellet form, and the total weight of all skincare products should ideally not exceed 200 grams."
Gore Hero and Leader of the Mountain Rescue Team of the Emergency Rescue Promotion Center under the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Wang Xin, shares the correct methods for choosing gear with the audience.
The “Emergency Battle” During the Climb
On the first evening when the "female mountaineering team" arrived at C1, gazing at Dopozha Peak, they were filled with longing for its beauty. "In the middle of the night, we heard light rain outside. When we woke up in the morning, it turned out to be snow, which had completely buried our tents. When we opened the tent, there was 30 to 40 centimeters of snow. The sudden overnight snowstorm instantly dampened our spirits. For us, so small in the mountains, this was the last thing we wanted to encounter. No one left the tent. Perhaps due to the low air pressure, it was hard to catch our breath, and with my period about to start, I had a heavy lower back and felt uncomfortable all over," said Zhang Yan. Regarding the common issue of "unexpected menstruation" among women, the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide" offers such "strategies": inform the team leader to adjust and arrange physical exertion distribution. Carry one or two empty Powerade bottles, fill them with hot water, and turn them into mountain "heat packs" to warm feet and stomachs inside the sleeping bag. Since women consume more energy during menstruation, high-calorie foods to ensure stamina are essential. In addition, the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide" specifically recommends using menstrual cups with panty liners — convenient to carry and avoiding leaving waste behind to pollute the environment.
In addition to empty Powerade bottles, the "mini toilet" is also one of the "climbing essentials" recommended in the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide." It mainly helps solve the issue of female toileting needs during climbs. It’s lightweight, environmentally friendly, and hygienic.
Zhang Yan is enthusiastically discussing the "things women face when climbing mountains" with an engaged audience member.
"In the past, I climbed purely out of personal interest. Watching many female friends who loved climbing give it up one by one due to various family pressures, I always wanted to do something but never found the right way. This climb of Dopozha Peak not only fulfilled my own climbing dream, but more importantly, through the tremendous influence of the Gore-Tex™ brand and the Outdoor Dreams Realized event in the outdoor field, it showed many female mountaineering enthusiasts that what men can do, women can do too — as long as you have a dream and persevere, it can come true!" said Zhang Yan. It is reported that after participating in the Outdoor Dreams Realized event, many women who love climbing have contacted Zhang Yan through various channels to seek help with climbing. At a recent class reunion, her classmates also shifted from mundane topics to reigniting their dreams.
Audience members who answered questions correctly during the interactive session are showing us the prizes provided by the Gore-Tex™ brand.
At around 3:10 PM, a magnificent "snow mountain" stood on-site, with the parchment scroll of the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide" resting within it. Zhang Jingwei, Textile Market Director of Gore China, and Huang Haoqiang, Vice President of the Business Unit of Beijing Wangfujing Department Store Group, jointly unveiled the parchment scroll, marking the official release of the "Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide." It also symbolizes Gore’s collaboration with Wangfujing to jointly focus on women in the outdoors and pay tribute to the endless spirit of climbing and exploration.
"Over the past eight years, we’ve seen many women realize their dreams through the Outdoor Dreams Realized platform, showcasing unique feminine charm. It has also allowed us to see, from another perspective, the important role women play in outdoor sports. This time, by releasing the 'Women’s Outdoor Pocket Guide' based on the accumulated climbing skills and experiences of the members of the 'female mountaineering team,' we hope to provide practical help for outdoor enthusiasts to safely and joyfully enjoy their journeys, and to better assist more women in stepping into and enjoying the outdoors. This year, we helped the 'female mountaineering team' realize their outdoor dream. In the future, the Outdoor Dreams Realized event will continue to help more people with dreams fulfill their outdoor aspirations. Let’s look forward together to the brand-new start of the 9th Outdoor Dreams Realized event in March next year," said Zhang Jingwei, Textile Market Director of Gore China.