On the afternoon of October 14, 2016, the Communist Youth League Committee of Peking University and the Department of Physical Education successfully held the opening ceremony of the Second Outdoor Sports Culture Festival and the Mount Everest Expedition Debriefing. The event also featured Huang Nubo, Vice Chairman of the China Mountaineering Association and Chairman of Zhongkun Group, who discussed the significance of the Mount Everest climb and its relevance to life.
Attendees included Li Zhijun, Vice Chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation; Ye Jingyi, Deputy Secretary of the Peking University Party Committee; Huang Nubo, Peking University alumnus and Chairman of Zhongkun Group; Chen Yongli, Secretary of the Peking University Youth League Committee; Li Ning, Director of the Department of Physical Education; Li Yuning, Director of the Alumni Affairs Office; heads of relevant university departments; faculty and alumni representatives who support Peking University's mountaineering activities; and student representatives from sports and fitness clubs. The opening ceremony was presided over by Wang Yiming, Deputy Secretary of the University Youth League Committee.
Peking University invited representatives of Chinese Paralympic athletes to campus to share their stories of perseverance. During the discussion, Li Zhijun, Vice Chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, encouraged young people to draw inspiration from the Paralympic spirit—embodying the Olympic motto of "Higher, Faster, Stronger"; practicing humanitarianism through public service and social contribution; and promoting the national spirit of patriotism and self-improvement.
Sharing and exchange with Li Zhijun, Vice Chairman of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, and Paralympic athletes Mao Jingdian, Zhang Miao, and Guo Xingyuan
Student clubs at Peking University, including the Mountain Eagle Society, showcased their vibrant club activities and introduced their plans for the Outdoor Sports Culture Festival. In addition to presenting an overview of the society’s current status, Wei Wei, President of the Mountain Eagle Society, organized a rock climbing experience for students and faculty. Participants explored the “ballet on the cliffs,” felt the friction and pain between fingers and rock, and discovered the joy of climbing through sweat and challenge.
Wei Wei, President of the Mountain Eagle Society, introduces the society
At the mountaineering debriefing, Zhao Wanrong, captain of the Mountain Eagle Society’s Zhuomulakang Expedition Team (student team), reported on the student team’s climb of Mount Zhuomulakang in Tibet. He mentioned that the Mountain Eagle Society plans to summit Mount Everest in 2018 to celebrate Peking University’s 120th anniversary, and this summer’s climb of Zhuomulakang Peak served as the first step in the Everest series. He detailed the team’s route selection, climbing process, and descent. The summer climb prioritized alpine training over reaching the summit, aligning with the philosophy of Kailas, the technical gear sponsor of the Mountain Eagle Society: “Only for Climbing.” Sun Bin, an alumnus of Peking University’s Mustagh Ata Expedition Team (alumni and faculty team), reported on the alumni team’s climb of Mount Mustagh Ata in Xinjiang.
Zhao Wanrong, captain of the Zhuomulakang Expedition Team, reports on the team’s climb
Huang Nubo, Vice Chairman of the China Mountaineering Association and Chairman of Zhongkun Group, introduced the climbing plans for the upcoming year’s Mount Everest expedition. He remarked that the beauty of life lies in a strong will. The 2018 Mount Everest climb not only showcases Peking University as a top-tier institution with outstanding students, but also highlights a first-class spirit—not for the summit, but for the climb itself.
Finally, Li Ning, Director of the Department of Physical Education, awarded Kailas, the gear and apparel sponsor of the Mount Everest team, the title of “Strategic Partner of the Mountain Eagle Society.” He also presented Scarpa and Eledrid, two other sponsors, with the title of “Equipment Partners of the Mountain Eagle Society,” in recognition of their long-term support.
Sponsors and the Peking University Mountain Eagle Society become “partners”
The debriefing also featured a documentary of the Mountain Eagle Society’s 2016 Zhuomulakang Expedition Team climb. The team traveled to Lhasa in two groups on July 7 and July 8 before heading to Mount Zhuomulakang, which stands at 7,034 meters. The film documented how the team conducted reconnaissance, transport, and altitude acclimatization on a peak with extremely limited resources. Faced with the risk of a complete ridge collapse, the Mountain Eagle Society made the decision to descend. Since its first summer climb in 2003, the society has focused on alpine training rather than summit attempts. When confronting the dangers of Zhuomulakang Peak, the society demonstrated mature judgment and decision-making.