(Photo: A glimpse of the café)
The first to arrive were Hua Er (Wang Lihua), the editorial director of New Travel magazine—a gentle and elegant beauty—and Yu Kaiyi, a renowned outdoor photographer/videographer invited especially for the event. Later came Yang Bo, the editor-in-chief of Outdoor magazine, and Zhu Zizhen, the new media operations director of Photography Friends magazine. Not long after, He Yuan, the chief editor of World magazine, also arrived as scheduled.
(Photo: On-site media and contestants take their seats)
(Photo: Solo and Free-Spirited Group Champion Luo Jing)
Next to arrive were Shao Chunyu and Ning Yueting of the Romantic Couple Group. These two from the northeast looked particularly simple and shy. The couple, who met through outdoor activities, held hands happily and sweetly as they took their seats under everyone’s watchful eyes. Finally, there were Gu Jin, a handsome young man from Chengdu, Sichuan, and Peng Jun, a beautiful girl from Chongqing, representing the Friendship Mixed Group. Gu Jin is an outdoor sports enthusiast who has tried climbing many famous snow mountains since 2008. He also excels in marathons and trail running, and holds PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW) and Rescue Diver certifications—truly a versatile athlete. Peng Jun is a moderator on a professional outdoor forum and is also a seasoned outdoor sports enthusiast.
(Photo: Romantic Couple Group Champions Shao Chunyu and Ning Yueting)
(Photo: Romantic Couple Group Champions Shao Chunyu and Ning Yueting)
This time, everyone was brought together by Lafuma. No matter which city they come from or what their professions are, they’ve come together due to their shared love for the outdoors—an uncommon and cherished bond.
The event began, and under the guidance of the host, everyone quickly became acquainted, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. First, Ms. Ji Ruoxi, the head of Lingdong Shanshui Marketing Consultants—the organizer of this event—introduced this outdoor extravaganza that lasted over two months: “Leaf with Me,” the 2013 Lafuma Hiking Season, is now in its second year. Building on last year’s selection from four national regions and an 8-day trip to France, this year’s ultimate dream destination is Mont Blanc, the summit of the French Alps. More outdoor enthusiasts have also joined this group. After intense online competitions and offline showcases, 5 contestants stood out from nearly a thousand to become the lucky chosen ones of this Ultimate Dream Team.
Then, Jasmin, the marketing manager of the renowned French outdoor brand Lafuma and organizer of this event, introduced the most important part of the event: the specific itinerary and precautions for the trip to Mont Blanc. The atmosphere on-site became even livelier as contestants exchanged their thoughts and suggestions. We learned that during this trip, participants will not only visit the outdoor paradise of Chamonix but also challenge the 4,810-meter-high Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, under the guidance of local professional guides. Additionally, they’ll have the opportunity to take part in the annual Mer de Glace environmental conservation activity initiated by Lafuma’s French headquarters, contributing to the preservation of the local natural environment.
Finally, the appearance of judge Wang Xin brought the event to a climax. Currently serving as the captain of the Mountain Rescue Team at the Ministry of Civil Affairs Emergency Rescue Promotion Center, president of the Beijing Youth Outdoor Sports Association, and deputy secretary-general and head of the Activities and Training Department of the Beijing Mountaineering Association, he explained the physical and mental preparation before high-altitude climbing in a humorous and witty tone. Sharing years of accumulated experience in high-altitude climbing techniques and emergency response measures, he delivered an engaging, educational, and entertaining lesson.
The short three hours flew by, and the contestants continued their enthusiastic discussions about the detailed arrangements of the trip. The Lafuma brand also prepared a set of “battle gear” for each member of the Ultimate Dream Team—Lafuma’s latest products from head to toe. Different colors and styles were selected based on the characteristics of each contestant or media representative, showing great thoughtfulness. The genuine joy of everyone was evident, and we believe this highly anticipated trip to Mont Blanc in France will surely live up to expectations. We look forward to the contestants achieving great success in reaching the summit, bringing a perfect ending to the 2013 Lafuma Hiking Season "Leaf with Me"!
(Photo: Group photo of the 5 champion contestants)
(Photo: Group photo of the Ultimate Dream Team members)