Peking University 2014 Camel Mountaineering Team Training Photo
In the sweltering heat of July, while we’re enjoying air-conditioned offices or relaxing on the beach, a group of students are braving danger and hardship on snow-capped mountains thousands of meters high. As the peak of summer approaches, the Peking University Mountain Eagle Society is also gearing up for its annual mountaineering and scientific research season.
With the support of outdoor brand CAMEL, the Peking University 2014 Camel Mountaineering Team was established on April 21. Their initial target is the Sangdankangsang Snow Mountain in the heart of Tibet, standing at 6,590 meters above sea level. The snow there is relatively soft, featuring steep icy slopes and a few crevasses, making it a moderately high-difficulty climb.
To prepare for the climb, the Peking University 2014 Camel Mountaineering Team has undergone five weeks of rigorous training in strength, endurance, and technical skills to comprehensively enhance the practical abilities of both new and veteran members.
Devil Strength Training – Challenging Limits
As night falls, the members of the Camel Mountaineering Team continue to sweat it out on the training ground. The strength training includes a wide range of exercises such as leg raises, sit-ups, back lifts, push-ups, and pull-ups/locks. New and veteran members help and guide each other, with the intense workouts drawing out cries of pain, yet cheers of “Keep it up!” boost morale and drive everyone to break through their limits.
The training is extremely tough, and it’s common to see senior members bringing fruits to check on the team. The members say that eating fruit after training is like “sweetness after bitterness.” New and veteran members also conduct training reviews together and help each other relax their legs, waists, and shoulders.
Devil Endurance Training – Loaded Stair Climbing
At least five sessions of loaded stair climbing are conducted, with male members carrying 20/25 kilograms and female members 18/20 kilograms. After every 40 minutes of climbing, there’s a short break to replenish water and salt, and each training session consists of 2–3 sets. Team members take turns leading, while others strive to overtake the leader. The Camel Mountaineering Team also has an unwritten rule: when you overtake someone, you must say “Keep it up!” to encourage them. Often, after a round, the members are drenched in sweat, almost exhausted, but after a brief rest and hydration, they continue climbing. Beads of sweat pour down as they grit their teeth and push themselves beyond their limits.
Loaded stair climbing is practiced once a week to simulate the continuous uphill trekking with a load on snowy mountains, aiming to improve the members’ endurance and load-bearing capacity. More importantly, it builds perseverance. The mountains are unforgiving—they treat everyone equally, regardless of gender or experience. Snow mountain climbs often involve hours of continuous ascent, along with harsh conditions like extreme cold, thin air, strong winds, and deep snow, requiring not only excellent physical condition but also strong resolve and tenacity. Since pre-climb training opportunities are limited, every session sees the Mountain Eagles pushing themselves exceptionally hard.
Technical Training and Quality Development Exercises
The Peking University Mountain Eagle Society 2014 Camel Mountaineering Team conducted professional technical training in rappelling on the school’s artificial climbing wall, along with quality development exercises including trust falls and electric grid escape drills. These activities aim to enhance mutual understanding among team members, strengthen teamwork, and improve crisis management skills.
Peking University 2014 Camel Mountaineering Team Conducts Rappelling and Other Training
After five consecutive weeks of training, the members of the Peking University 2014 Camel Mountaineering Team have seen improvements in strength, endurance, willpower, teamwork, and cohesion. Following this training camp, the members will face final exams. While preparing for finals, the Mountain Eagles still need to schedule training time according to their individual situations to maintain good physical condition for the climbing challenge.
A young member of the Mountain Eagle Society said, “Every devil training session leaves us utterly exhausted, but we gain a sense of achievement by breaking our own limits. Encouragement from teammates gives us motivation. After each training session, we all look forward to the day we officially set off on our journey.”