6Month6Day, the Self-Travelers2015Mountaineering Team once again arrived at Peking University to attend the2015Peak Outdoor Public Welfare Training hosted by Peak Outdoor School. This event was organized by Peak Outdoor School, aiming to educate and instruct outdoor club members from various universities on mountaineering knowledge, as well as to offer enhanced technical support for the team’s summer expedition to climb Anyemaqen Snow Mountain.
At 7:45 a.m.,15team members (three were absent due to prior commitments) gathered under the big tree at the west gate. Once everyone had arrived, they took a bus together to the west gate of Peking University. The early morning sunlight slanted lazily from the east, casting a particularly majestic glow on the rock face of the university. However, many team members weren’t visiting Peking University for training for the first time, so despite the imposing sight of the rock wall, no one gasped in awe. Everyone sat down on the ground on the west side of the wall, waiting for the training to begin.
At 8:30 a.m., participants from various brother clubs had all arrived, and the training officially commenced. Due to the large number of attendees, the two instructors divided everyone into two groups for separate instruction. The first part of the course covered single-rope ascending and descending, which is mainly used for self-rescue when someone falls into an ice crevasse. After explaining the theory and demonstrating the techniques, the instructors had the students practice using the ropes themselves. Although the instructors made it look easy, the actual process wasn’t so simple—each student struggled in all sorts of odd postures while trying to ascend, and many couldn’t even descend successfully until the instructors guided them safely back to the ground.
Soon, the first part of the lesson concluded. At 9:40 a.m., the two instructors began the second part—crevasse rescue. Crevasse rescue varies by situation: moving a person onto a flat ledge, having the rescued person directly climb the ice (while the rescuer provides protection), the rescued person using a single-rope ascent, or full system rescue (including direct pulling, one-third system, one-fifth system, one-seventh system, etc.). The one-seventh system was the highlight of this lesson. The team encountered some difficulties during the operation, but after brainstorming and repeated attempts, they finally figured out how to properly set up the one-seventh system.
Time flew during the practice sessions. At 10:50 a.m., the two instructors personally demonstrated how to perform a crevasse rescue and self-arrest on a snowy mountain, allowing everyone to observe a complete rescue scenario. At the end of the demonstration, Instructor Zhao summarized: “More important than crevasse rescue is not falling into one in the first place, and we hope you never have to use this system on the mountain.” He expressed his wish that none of them would need to apply what they’d learned this year. As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.
By around noon, the course ended. While exchanging thoughts with the organizers, team members also shared their own insights gained from the day, striving to improve in the future.
Special thanks for this training go toKailas, Toread,FenixHeadlamps, Lupine, GOTECH Glasses, and Ezon Watches, as well as Pailetian for providing us with equipment sponsorships. The high-quality gear offered us the greatest safety assurance for our activities.
Text: Luo Rui
Photos: He Yongchang
