After the "Life-and-Death Aotai" and "Life-and-Death Langta" incidents
we learned that in AA hiking, not only are the costs shared,
but the risks are shared as well.
In AA hiking, not only do team leaders have guidelines
AA hiking is about risking your life. When joining an AA team, remember these ten ironclad rules to prevent tragedies like the Life-and-Death Aotai incident from happening again!
After the Life-and-Death Simatai incident
we were shocked by those hikers who showed disregard for life.
We’re not saying we must morally obligate everyone in the group to join a rescue effort,
but we believe that as outdoor enthusiasts,
when faced with a life lost right before our eyes,
we cannot remain indifferent or inactive.
At the very least, picking up the phone to call the police or rescue services
adds even the slightest chance of survival for that life.
Now that the tragedy has occurred,
further accusations and anger won’t help.
The following 35 outdoor principles
are not about sentimentality
or technical skills
They simply serve to remind you and your teammates,
before stepping into dangerous territory,
of what’s been said here
and then to step back
and bring yourselves back to safety.

1. Try not to follow a so-called heroic leader who only talks big. When engaging in outdoor activities, always remember: wearing a windbreaker doesn’t make someone an expert.
2. Try not to pull someone up from below by holding hands.Instead, hold each other’s wrists.

3.Try not to rely on the strength of dead branches, weeds, or tree branches thinner than your thumb to climb.; You can only climb by relying on the pull of tree branches that are thicker than your thumb and have roots.
4,Try not to use tree branches thinner than your wrist as a horizontal bar, or swing on bent branches to ascend or descend.They are likely to break; instead, use branches thicker than your wrist, or stay as close to the base of the supporting branch (near the trunk) as possible.
5,Try not to climb rocks that are higher than your head and whose stability you cannot assess.Hanging your life on unfamiliar rocks is extremely dangerous; you should first secure three points of contact, test with the strength of one limb, and then proceed.

6, Try not to keep too close a distance between team members when descending slopes with loose rocks, ice, or slippery conditions.Maintain a gap that is two people wider than usualto prevent those below from being injured by falling debris.
7, Try not to keep too small a distance when descending steep, slippery slopes; wait until the person in front has safely reached the bottom before you descend; if possible, the person ahead can provide some protection for those behind.
8, Try not to let your hiking shoes havemud, sand, plant leaves, water,snow, or other substances that reduce friction; if your shoes have these,you will only be able to climb slopes at up to two-thirds of the original inclinewhen tackling large rocks, otherwise your feet may slip.

9, Try not to straighten up and lean backward abruptly to rest on steep slopes while fatigued and carrying heavy loads; if tired, it’s better to stop walking without straightening up, turn around, lean your back against the mountain, and rest in an upright position. This prevents you from rolling backward down the slope.
10, Try not to get too close to each other when moving through thickets; the rebounding thorns can easily injure your eyes; lower your head, use the brim of your hat for shielding, or protect your eyes with trekking poles.

11, Try not to just bend down and crouch when moving through thickets or rocky areas; if you do, your head may pass through but your backpack and hips won’t. Instead,squat, bend, lower your head, stretch your arms forward, and crawl; then look aheadand only raise your head, straighten up, and stand after your hips have cleared.
12, Try not to step on narrow mountain paths covered with grass where you can't see what's beneath; try to step over or walk around them; otherwise, you might fall off a slope or into a deep pit.
13, Try not to be the trailblazer in summer or autumn unless you know how to scare snakes away or are very alert, good at spotting snakes on the path, and know how to deal with them.
14,Try not to go hiking alone. If you do, frequently mark the trail, or turn back if necessary.

15, Try not to repeatedly and continuously jump downward unless you regularly engage in such activity; if you participate in this, it is recommended that you use a hanging-style descent or support your lower body with trekking poles to suspend your body while jumping, reducing height and impact to avoid knee injuries. By the end of the day, you may have jumped a third less than your companions.
16, Try not to wade across rivers with water levels above your crotch shortly after heavy rain. Water is merciless, and this has nothing to do with your swimming ability. If you must cross and have no ropes or crossing equipment, choose a spot where the river is wide, the current is gentle, the water is shallow, and the riverbed is relatively flat. Hug a large rock, take a small forward lunge against the current, do not lift your feet, stay close to the riverbed, and move slowly across.

17, Try not to use your mobile phone or make calls while climbing during a thunderstorm; you might be summoned by the heavens.
18, Try not to climb or pass through areas with muddy and rocky geological structures after rain.
19, Try not to use ordinary ropes thinner than your pinky finger to vertically hoist yourself; they should only be used for auxiliary support.

20,Avoid climbing rocks unless you’re certain of their stability.Be willing to let go; if you must climb, only do so after carefully considering your emergency plan in case you lose your grip—and only if you can accept the consequences without regret.
21,Avoid descending snowy or icy slopes alone by sliding down; it’s best to descend in pairs using a rope about 10 meters long, with the person above controlling the rope to let the other descend safely. Then the upper climber descends on their own while the lower one provides protection by holding the rope to prevent them from sliding too fast. Take turns and protect each other.

22,Avoid admiring the scenery while climbing; you might lose your footing—and more.
23,Avoid blindly following the group leader; pause every 15 minutes or so, look back for a few seconds to get your bearings, and memorize landmarks. Don’t lose your way and not know how to get back.
24,Avoid competing with others or pushing yourself too hard while climbing; when facing dangers or difficulties beyond your ability, dare to say “I can’t do this—I need to find another way.”

25,Avoid jumping into water to swim when you’re drenched in sweat from climbing; also avoid standing in windy spots just for the sake of feeling cool.
26,Avoid entering caves you’re unfamiliar with, especially those with few exits and no trusted friends stationed outside. As the saying goes, even a cunning rabbit has three burrows—how much more so for humans? Remember, safety comes first.
27,Avoid running downhill while carrying a heavy load; momentum could send you tumbling and lead to injury.

28,Avoid taking tiny, cautious steps with feet close together while facing downhill on steep slopes just because you’re scared; doing so makes you very likely to fall backward and slide uncontrollably down the mountain, which is dangerous. Instead, you candescend sideways, in a deep crouch, with legs angled outward (side lunge position), moving steadily and safely downhill.
29,Avoid continuing to climb if you experience trembling legs, dizziness, or difficulty breathing;you should immediately inform the team leader or alert someone nearby.
30,Avoid making fires on the mountain, especiallyopen flames; unless you want to end up roasted like a whole lamb.
31,Avoid littering on the mountain, unless you enjoy climbing through a garbage dump.

32,Avoid walking at the very front or very back of the group; it’s best to ask the leader for their phone number during group gatherings.
33,Avoid complaining during the trip,because no one forced you, tricked you, or begged you to join this informal, non-profit, and potentially risky activity.
34,Avoid relying too much on others during the activity; communicate more, ask for advice, be independent, stay observant, help others, and be understanding.

35,Avoid standing on unsecured rocks and bending over to reach down to pull someone of similar weight; instead, lean your body backward, keep the pulling force of your hands aligned as closely as possible with the thrust of your legs, or make sure there’s a thick tree or a person behind you to anchor yourself—or use a rope.
Your life hangs in the balance of that one hesitant second
and the decision you make in that instant.
Remember these 35 rules
Please be sure to:
Cherish life, stay safe outdoors