On the evening of August 4, 23 exploratory “travel buddies” who went missing in the Huangniuyan mountain area of the Xiling Gorge on the Yangtze River due to heavy rain were successfully rescued without any injuries. Behind this lucky escape was a rescue operation lasting over 30 hours carried out by a team of more than 100 people, including the local public security bureau and fire brigade.
However, not all tourists are so fortunate. Since May this year, Wei Daonian, a “travel buddy” from Guangxi, died in an avalanche on Mount Meili; female “travel buddy” Zou Li perished in a sudden flash flood in Piaojiangou, Guizhou; in June, Mr. Zhang, a “travel buddy” from Xi’an, died while crossing from Shaanxi’s Ao Mountain to Taibai Mountain; also in June, Shanghai “travel buddy” Xu Guang went missing in the Hemu area of northern Xinjiang’s Kanas region and has been unaccounted for ever since...
Every time such tragic news comes, we hope it will be the last, yet misfortunes keep happening and are getting worse.
In recent years, with the growing popularity of outdoor sports, the community of self-guided and independent travelers has also expanded rapidly, and they are vividly referred to as “travel buddies.” However, at the same time, incidents of missing persons and accidents have frequently made headlines, raising concerns. According to statistics from the “2012 Overview of Mountain Disasters on the Chinese Mainland” published by the China Mountaineering Association, from 2001 to 2011, a total of 190 people died during outdoor activities. In 2012 alone, the death toll reached 41, the highest on record.
Such frequent accidents, however, have not stopped “travel buddies.” People can’t help but ask: what keeps turning “travel buddies” into “disaster victims”?
The primary reason is insufficient preparation before the trip. It’s not hard to see that among the frequent accidents, “man-made disasters” outnumber “natural disasters”: overestimating one’s physical strength and outdoor experience, lacking essential gear... Many “travel buddies” believe that “our goal is the unknown ahead, our challenge is the unfamiliar.” Ignorance breeds fearlessness, and many only have visions of pristine green mountains and blooming flowers in remote places, but fail to see the life-threatening storms, snow, floods, and beasts ahead.
Secondly, after an accident occurs, travel buddies often lack self-rescue abilities. When venturing deep into uninhabited areas, carrying satellite phones and preparing survival tools are the most basic safety measures. Otherwise, once in danger, with no way to call for help and no ability to save themselves, tragedy is bound to strike.
In fact, such accidents can be completely prevented. As long as relevant government departments establish and improve corresponding laws and regulations, shut down non-standard and unsafe outdoor activities; or erect clear warning signs in dangerous areas and penalize “travel buddies” who enter illegally; or ensure that government and civilian professional rescue organizations work together in rescue efforts to respond immediately when accidents occur — these measures can effectively prevent “travel buddies” from becoming “disaster victims.”
Most crucially, every “travel buddy” should strengthen their self-protection awareness, act within their capabilities, always keep the word “responsibility” in mind, and avoid being stubborn “mules” driven blindly by ideals and impulses. Bear in mind that when “travel buddies” get into trouble, they also put rescuers at risk. In 2010, students from Fudan University got lost on a rainy night on Huangshan Mountain; although 18 students were eventually rescued, a police officer involved in the rescue fell off a cliff and died. The incident caused an uproar in public opinion, with widespread condemnation of the students’ lack of responsibility.
We should all remember: adventure can indeed add color to life, but life should never be the price of risk.