1. Integrity. The phrase “both virtuous and talented” is considered a very high compliment when applied to a person. In Chinese, the word “virtue” comes before “talent,” indicating that having talent alone is far from enough—one must also possess virtue. This is what we commonly refer to as character in the broadest sense. It’s not uncommon to hear some outdoor enthusiasts, when asked at gatherings why they got into the outdoor scene, answer unabashedly that it’s to share a tent with attractive women and use the opportunity to flirt. They even embellish these stories, whether true or not. Sometimes such remarks are just jokes meant to liven up the atmosphere, but other times they reflect genuine intentions. If that’s the case, then their character is questionable. People with ill intentions are out of harmony with nature and unwelcome in the outdoor community.
2. Respect. Everyone wants to visit places with the most pristine natural and cultural landscapes, and everyone hopes to be the first to set foot in Lugu Lake or enter Shangri-La. When someone who considers themselves to come from the civilized world steps into these places of raw beauty, everything there deserves our respect. The boundless, unspoiled scenery needs your careful protection, and the local customs and traditions, rich in indigenous flavor, should either be embraced wholeheartedly or admired from a respectful distance without disturbance. Those who stroll in with cameras and look of disdain are nothing more than curious tourists—not true outdoor enthusiasts. The most appalling behavior is outright plundering. There have been cases where, after attending a funeral in a Miao village, someone sneaked back in the dead of night to steal the intricately embroidered burial garments off the deceased. Seeing that black garment with colorful trim hanging on someone’s wall gives one a heavy heart.
3. Honesty. In the face of nature, no amount of bravado can compare to the most honest actions. Those who boast about how amazing they are but can’t even make it to base camp, yet claim to have been the first to summit a certain mountain, are nothing but contemptible and hardly worth mentioning. A common scenario is when someone initiates a mountain climbing activity online and asks for team members with relevant climbing experience. Many pledge confidently that they’ve climbed numerous snow-capped peaks, only to be revealed as unable to even put on crampons, let alone perform rope team maneuvers. Such behavior is dishonest—to others and, even more so, to oneself. The ultimate consequence is losing the trust of everyone else on the team.
4. Trust. When teaming up with others, trust is essential. Some even say choosing a hiking partner is more important than choosing a spouse. This involves not only trusting others but also knowing how to earn their trust. Imagine being in the outdoors where unexpected situations arise, sometimes even life-threatening. How can you rely on someone you don’t trust? And if others don’t trust you, why would they come to your rescue? In early August 1953, an eight-person American mountaineering team headed for K2. Aside from the leader, Charlie Houston, who was quite well-known at the time, the rest were relatively unknown. This was a deliberate choice by Charlie. He avoided the so-called “celebrity climbers,” who were often arrogant, aggressive, and self-important. Instead, this small team consisted of honest, humble, and friendly individuals who trusted each other and cared for one another. So when one of them developed thrombophlebitis at 25,000 feet, the entire team abandoned their summit dreams to get him down the mountain. During the descent, a fall caused a chain reaction of collisions, sending six people—including the sick climber—hurtling toward the edge of a cliff. At the critical moment, Pete Schoening dug his ice axe into the rock and braced himself with all his might, bearing the full force of the fall. The rope grew taut and began to thin under immense tension, eventually becoming as thin as a steel wire. Feeling he could barely hold on, knowing the rope could snap and pull him over at any second, he held firm for five minutes—just five minutes—that bought his teammates precious time to survive. That day, August 10, Pete Schoening created one of the greatest legends in mountaineering history on the world’s second-highest peak, K2. In contrast, in 1986, another climbing team attempting K2 faced a similar crisis, but their response was vastly different—the sick and injured were left behind while the stronger members escaped on their own. We lost Brother Lu not long ago, but during his life, he earned the trust of every team he led. With his honesty and sincerity, he faced everyone openly. Whenever I followed in his footsteps toward the summit, every step behind him felt solid and reassuring.
5. Openness. Don’t bring a mysterious or aloof attitude into the outdoors. How can you harmonize with nature or create memorable stories if you keep your heart closed? On the trail, an open mind brings more friends and deeper insights. Today’s outdoor community also has its share of “celebrities,” many of whom have remarkable stories to tell. Most are incredibly humble and sincere. I’ve seen Captain Wang Yongfeng cheerfully taking photos and chatting with fans, and I’ve received climbing tips from someone I later discovered was a legendary expert. The sunny smile of Sun Bin and the hearty laughter of Da Liu remain warm memories. Then I recall another type of person I met in Lijiang’s ancient Square Street. We wanted to ask about the latest conditions on the Tiger Leaping Gorge trail, and just then a few people came out from there. We were about to approach them for information, but their wary expressions made us hesitate. Eventually, we ended up having a great chat with another table while drinking, exchanging travel stories. Months later, when we visited Guizhou as planned, that same group of friends offered enthusiastic help, making our trip there truly unforgettable.