On July 30, the departure ceremony of the 2014 "Walk The Walk – Heart & Trace Dunhuang" public welfare project, initiated by actor Chen Kun, was grandly held in Dunhuang. The renowned outdoor brand NORTHLAND from Austria, as the exclusive equipment sponsor, attended the event. In the coming days, NORTHLAND will provide high-tech outdoor gear to Chen Kun and the volunteers, supporting the team members in completing the extreme 180-kilometer desert trek.
"Walk The Walk" is a public welfare project focused on mental development, initiated by renowned actor Chen Kun. It aims to encourage people to quiet down while walking, engage in dialogue with their inner selves, gain positive inner energy, and spread that positivity to others.
Empowering "Walk The Walk" with technology
At the departure ceremony, Chen Kun mentioned that this year’s walk in Dunhuang is different from the previous three. This time, the focus is on entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship, like walking, requires courage and perseverance, and the ability to press forward in complex environments — as the saying goes, “Walk without fear.” While previous walks were mainly at high altitudes, this one takes place in a scorching desert. In August, Dunhuang’s daytime average temperature hovers around 40°C. Hiking through the desert with heavy loads tests not just physical strength, but also endurance and mental fortitude. For every participant, the upcoming desert journey will be an extreme test of both body and mind, and the quality of outdoor gear will directly impact their performance.
As the exclusive equipment sponsor of this event, NORTHLAND’s philosophy of spiritual freedom and spreading positive energy aligns perfectly with the theme of "Walk The Walk." Moreover, the comfort provided by NORTHLAND’s outdoor gear has been highly praised by Chen Kun and the "Walk The Walk" team. After ten years of dedicated research, NORTHLAND has developed the exclusive "EXOTHERM All-Weather Comfort Radar" technology platform, which offers all-day comfort and comprehensive protection based on the climate characteristics of various outdoor environments and principles of ergonomics. The latest high-tech gear provided by NORTHLAND, such as cutting-edge jackets and ultra-light outerwear, effectively shields against harsh conditions like strong winds, intense UV rays, and significant day-night temperature differences, offering all-weather professional protection to help participants overcome the challenges of the desert journey.
Well-known traveler Sun Mian said in a media interview that during this desert trek of "Walk The Walk," every participant was skin-to-skin and heart-to-heart with NORTHLAND gear. He expressed deep gratitude to NORTHLAND for sponsoring the event. Additionally, Sun Mian thanked NORTHLAND for its involvement in public welfare projects caring for elderly veterans of the war. Sun Mian stated, “I’m moved beyond words by NORTHLAND, and I hope more people can join in to spread even more positive energy together with NORTHLAND.”
Walking the world, just to find yourself
Extreme walking in desert regions allows everyone to achieve psychological transcendence by challenging their physical limits. In NORTHLAND’s view, leaving your mark on the vast world and thereby discovering a different side of yourself is not only a stirring impulse buried in each of our hearts, but also an unforgettable memory in life.