Gore Outdoor Hero Wang Xin: Outdoor Safety Is the First Lesson

    The National Day holiday, which should have been a perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in nature, was instead marred by a series of heartbreaking news: during the holiday, 14 outdoor enthusiasts from Zigong planned to trek the Luoke Route, but one suffered from altitude sickness and tragically lost his life; on October 7, search and rescue personnel discovered what is believed to be the body of Cai Jinguo, an overdue hiker from Heizhugou, in the Luosuoyida area of the valley...   

    Outdoor safety is no small matter. Just after the National Day holiday on October 12, the "National Outdoor Safety Education Program" 2014 public lecture tour, organized under the unified deployment of the General Administration of Sport of China, led by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Mountaineering Association, and hosted by the Gore? brand, commenced promptly at 5 PM in the conference hall on the fifth floor of the Chengdu Sport University Museum. Li Zhixin, Chairman of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Xuxian, Party Committee Secretary of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Ding Xianghua, Head of the Rock and Ice Climbing Department of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Zhang Jingwei, General Manager of Gore Beijing Branch and Director of the China Market Department, among others, attended the event. Gore Hero, Captain of the Mountain Rescue Team of the Emergency Rescue Promotion Center of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, Secretary-General of the Beijing Mountaineering Association, and contracted lecturer of Gore, Wang Xin, centered his talk around the outdoor philosophy of "Be Prepared Before You Go," teaching the audience about outdoor safety concepts and practical knowledge and skills. He shared insights on mental, physical, and equipment preparation with the attendees.

 

  

    "In 2007, 11 hikers got lost while ascending from Baiyukou in Mentougou to Lingshan. One female team member, Xia Zi, died of hypothermia in the depths of Lingshan at just 23 years old—around your age...," Wang Xin began with the nationally shocking 2007 incident, "The Tragic Death of Hiker Xia Zi on Lingshan," which fell silent in the room. Most of the audience were university students from Chengdu Sport University, some wearing dental floss, others sneakers, all with serious expressions. "Before setting off, Xia Zi specifically bought a set of professional outdoor gear—it was quite advanced. She wasn’t traveling alone but as part of a group. So why did she lose her life in the prime of her youth in the valley? This is what I want to tell all beginner outdoor enthusiasts: having professional gear also means knowing how to wear it properly; being in a group also requires mastering correct and professional hiking techniques. Only then can you ensure your safety and make your journey both joyful and meaningful," Wang Xin said. Focusing on the philosophy of "Be Prepared Before You Go," he shared two fundamental outdoor travel techniques with the audience. First, correctly wearing outdoor gear. Professional outdoor gear can save lives in critical moments, but improper wearing can cause harm. The correct method is not to wear a windbreaker right away during the trip unless there’s heavy wind or snow. While walking, we sweat a lot—if that sweat is trapped inside your clothes, it’s like pouring cold water over your body in freezing weather, creating a wind-chill effect. When you stop and no longer need heat exchange, then put on the windbreaker to stay warm. Second, proper team formation. The correct order is: those with medium stamina lead, the weaker ones in the middle, and the strongest at the back. This balances the energy levels of all three and ensures the group moves steadily forward. On Xia Zi’s fatal hike, lacking outdoor knowledge, she wore all her gear; due to her lower stamina, she was placed at the end of the line. To catch up with her companions, she kept accelerating, sweating profusely, yet pushing herself even harder... There was no natural disaster, no malicious harm—just a terrifying cycle that ultimately led to tragedy.

 

    "To address outdoor safety issues, it’s not only necessary for outdoor gear manufacturers to develop more technologically advanced and protective products, but also to spread outdoor safety knowledge among more outdoor enthusiasts, translating theory into practice. Students, who are energetic yet inexperienced and often fearless like young calves, should pay extra attention. Beyond textbook knowledge, outdoor safety education and practice are essential," Wang Xin said.

   

    In addition to promoting outdoor safety knowledge at the "National Outdoor Safety Education Program" 2014 public lecture tour, the Gore? brand has also previously invited lecturers to share experiences and insights on outdoor safety issues with enthusiasts through events such as the Gore Outdoor Lecture Hall at The North Face? Outdoor Festival and the "Wilderness First Aid and Risk Management" training sessions, where they demonstrated and practically taught outdoor first aid methods. Zhang Jingwei, General Manager of Gore Beijing Branch and Director of the China Market Department, stated: "We hope these activities can unite various forces, help more outdoor enthusiasts realize their dreams, and at the same time promote outdoor safety knowledge and skills, enabling more people to safely and joyfully enjoy outdoor activities, experiencing the endless possibilities."

    It is reported that the "National Outdoor Safety Education Program" is the first systematic nationwide campaign in China to promote outdoor safety awareness and common sense. On October 18, 2014, the "National Outdoor Safety Education Program" 2014 public lecture tour will arrive in Xi'an.