The trapped hiker was rescued and brought down the mountain.
On February 11, a young man from Nanchong set off alone to hike Jiange Pass, choosing not to enter through the scenic area’s main gate but instead taking an off-trail path outside the park. He eventually became trapped on a cliff in the mountains. After failing to find a way forward, he decided to camp overnight on the mountain. Early on the 12th, he still couldn’t find a path down, so he called the local police for help. After about six hours of searching by police and firefighters, he was finally found and rescued.
Young man goes solo hiking: trapped on cliff after taking off-trail route, camps overnight
It is understood that the trapped young man is named Zhang Fengrong, 22 years old, from Nanbu County in Nanchong, currently working in Chengdu. After his company’s holiday, he decided to go on a hiking trip. On the morning of February 9, he took a train from Chengdu to Guangyuan. After arriving in Guangyuan, he visited the Ancient City of Zhaohua and Dachaoyi for a day. On February 11, he went to Jiange County and entered Jiange Pass via an unfamiliar off-trail path outside the scenic area, where he unexpectedly became trapped on a cliff.
Yesterday, this reporter spoke with the trapped young man, Zhang Fengrong, by phone. He said that at 2:30 p.m. on February 11, he arrived near the Jiange Pass scenic area in Jiange. In order to explore, he didn’t enter through the main gate but chose a small path at Zhaoqiao Cliff (a local landmark) outside the scenic area, entering a mountain valley and beginning his hike.
“I originally thought the surroundings were mostly gentle mountain paths, but I didn’t expect the nearby mountains to be very steep. When I climbed halfway up the mountain, I was already extremely tired. When I checked my phone’s satellite map, I realized the area around me was full of steep cliffs,” Zhang Fengrong said. With no other choice, he had to rely on ropes to climb up along the rocky cliff face. At 5:30 p.m., he finally made it to the mountaintop.
As it got darker, Zhang Fengrong, physically exhausted, quickly unpacked his gear, set up a tent, and decided to spend the night on the mountain. Around 8 a.m. the next morning, using his phone’s navigation, he headed toward another trail, hoping to find a way down. But after walking for over two hours, he still couldn’t find a path. Left with no other options, Zhang called the police for help.
Police successfully carry out the rescue: searched for six hours while keeping him on the line
After receiving the report, local police and firefighters actively began their search. Considering the complex terrain and poor visibility, officers from the Jiange Pass Scenic Area Police Station and firefighters split into two teams to look for Zhang. Throughout the search, the police kept in contact with him. Based on his descriptions, after more than six hours of searching, they finally spotted Zhang on a cliff opposite a reservoir.
“We heard him mention he had passed by a reservoir and saw people on the mountain opposite. Based on his description, we initially determined it was on the mountain opposite Cuiping Peak of Jiange Pass, so the two teams quickly regrouped and headed toward the location he described.” According to Qingyang, a police officer from the Jiange Pass Police Station who participated in the rescue, when they reached the reservoir, they estimated it had a drop of about 20–30 meters, and Zhang was on the cliffs above the reservoir.
The cliff was located about 300–400 meters above the reservoir and was extremely steep. After inspecting the area, firefighters discovered a narrow path that could be used to descend. “So, rescuers stationed below shouted to Zhang, instructing him to follow that path and slowly make his way down. After descending about 100 meters along the designated path, the firefighters threw him a rope for him to hold onto as he carefully slid down. The other end of the rope was firmly held by the firefighters. At 2:30 p.m., after much effort, Zhang was finally rescued and brought down the mountain.”
Survivor recalls terrifying night: “Heard wolves howling at midnight, too scared to let the fire go out—checked it two or three times”
Recalling his night on the mountain, Zhang Fengrong said, “The area was completely desolate. To keep warm, I quickly built a fire. Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night, I heard the sounds of wild animals such as boars and wolves in the mountains. I was terrified and quickly got up to stoke the fire higher.” “In order not to let the fire die out, I got up two or three times during the night.” After resting for about three or four hours, it gradually got light. When he saw figures of tourists on the opposite mountain, Zhang felt hopeful and shouted toward them—but they mistook his calls for joking around and didn’t respond to his plea for help.
“I’m someone who loves hiking. I’ve hiked Niutou Mountain in Zhaohua before. This time, I thought the hike would also be fairly easy, but I ended up getting trapped on the mountain. My original plan was a five-day trip, but after this adventure, I won’t be going hiking again for the remaining days,” Zhang said afterward, expressing regret over his lack of hiking experience and admitting he shouldn’t have ventured out alone. He said he planned to rest briefly in Pu’an, Jiange, then take a bus to other scenic spots before returning to his hometown in Nanbu in two days. He also advised all hiking enthusiasts to prepare thoroughly before setting out.
Reminder
Several things to keep in mind for hiking:
Make a practical plan. Before hiking, familiarize yourself with the destination. Be well-informed and create a detailed, realistic plan. Include your intended route, daily distance, places you’ll visit, where you’ll eat and stay, and have a general itinerary. Absolutely avoid blindly venturing forward, wandering aimlessly, or stopping wherever it gets dark.
In addition to carrying essential items, only bring what’s truly necessary for living and working. Leave behind non-essential gear and try to travel light. If items can be shared among companions, do so to reduce unnecessary load. In summer, prepare for heat prevention—straw hats and water bottles are essential.
It’s best to travel in groups of at least three, so you can help and look out for one another. However, avoid having too large a group, as it may cause interference and hinder movement. Keep luggage minimal and light, but be sure to carry some basic medications.
Be aware of physical conditions (such as those with lower limb vascular disease, skin ulcers, or flat feet should not go hiking) and current weather conditions. Reporter Liu Yangu, Huaxi City Reader