The famous German poet and playwright Goethe once said, "The important thing in life is to have a great aim, and the determination to attain it." Dreams, like classics, never fade with time; instead, they become even more precious. For outdoor enthusiasts, the same holds true for their outdoor dreams—as long as the dream remains, there’s no reason not to pursue it.
It’s never too late to start chasing a dream. The 8th "Endless Experience – Gore-Tex!" Outdoor Dreams Realization event in 2014 upholds a positive and healthy outdoor philosophy, respecting, encouraging, and supporting every outdoor dream. Just showcase your dream plan, and you could win a full set of top-tier Gore-Tex gear.
In 2013, under the stunning starry sky, the winning team of the photography category set up colorful tents and happily engaged in light painting.
To help more people learn about and easily participate in the event, and to realize their outdoor dreams, the mentors of this edition actively interacted with netizens on various platforms, answering their questions one by one. Summing these up could be called the "ultimate guide" to the "Realize Your Outdoor Dream" campaign.
Guide 1: Writing your proposal — feasibility, creativity, and the outdoor spirit are all essential
One of this year’s mentors, “Old Li Backpack,” suggests that when writing your proposal, you should first choose a category based on your own specific situation. The specific requirements for each category are explained on the five main event hubs. The content of the proposal doesn’t need to be overly long — it should be simple, clear, and concise. Strong feasibility is the foundation for a proposal to be selected, while abundant creativity is the key to winning the championship. Incorporating elements such as history, culture, environmental protection, and public welfare can greatly enhance your proposal. For example, the proposal “Keketuohai – Treasure Hunting on China’s Most Mysterious Bermuda Triangle in a Heavy-Duty Hiking Adventure” introduced many people to such a beautiful and mysterious place for the first time. This proposal featured a novel route, a well-thought-out plan, and detailed writing, earning unanimous recommendations from many mentors. And most importantly, the proposal must reflect the outdoor spirit of connecting with nature, challenging oneself, and enjoying teamwork — only then does it align with the spirit of the event. Mentor “Old Li Backpack” also emphasized that he has seen many proposals copied directly from the internet, so he reminds everyone that while online travel plans can be used for reference, they should not be copied outright. “Originality is the core of this activity.”
The Blue River Bay — Yilimu Lake
Guide 2: Participate in voting and journey with friends to your dream destination
Netizens can share their proposals as long Weibo posts on social media platforms like Sina Weibo, or post them to their Moments via the official WeChat mobile community site, inviting friends to vote and like their proposals. The top five proposals in each category each month will advance to the monthly championship round. Mentor “Old Yin” reminds everyone that you can also recommend your proposal to mentors through the “Ask a Mentor for a Vote” method. If a mentor approves your proposal and votes for it, it will automatically become a finalist competing for the monthly championship. Each mentor gets only one vote per category per month, but although it’s just one vote, it carries very high “value.”
Additionally, netizens can send their dream destinations via private message to friends on social media platforms like Sina Weibo and WeChat, inviting them to vote for their dream destinations. Voters may eventually have the chance to join the “New Explorers’ Dream Destination” travel team, experiencing this “dream journey” together with mentors and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Guide 3: Safety first — those small details you can’t afford to overlook
When traveling outdoors, safety comes first. There are too many possible travel routes to detail them all, but mentor “Old Cat Sleeping on the Roof” has summarized several key details regarding gear and safety for outdoor trips to help netizens: Good and sufficient outdoor gear is essential for any outdoor journey. Prepare gear and supplies suitable for various weather conditions and scenarios based on the route and season of your proposed trip. Consider all possible worst-case scenarios and prepare countermeasures and items accordingly. For example, medication for altitude sickness, disinfectant wipes, and lighters — it’s better to have more than not enough. Choose travel companions who all have rich outdoor experience, knowledge of outdoor survival and self-rescue, and excellent physical health to ensure trip safety.
In 2013, during the hike over Motian Ridge, after heavy rain, team members waded through streams with heavy packs, facing numerous challenges, but with GORE-TEX
In addition to the “dedicated guidance” from the mentors, professional gear support is also indispensable. As in previous years, Gore-Tex
“If you don’t climb a mountain, you won’t know how high it is; if you don’t wade into water, you won’t know how deep it is; if you don’t admire rare scenery, how will you know how marvelous it is?Only by experiencing it personally and being there in person can you truly understand.Bashansheshui,Yuqingyujing,Yidandaziranbieyangdefengjingquzhanjushiyehesixiang,Nihuijuede,Shengmingdegediaobuzairucidedanyi.The new round of the “Endless Experience – Gore-Tex!” Outdoor Dreams Come True activity has begun, and the key is in your hands! Set off with Gore to head toward your “dream destination”!