On the evening of March 21, 2014, at 7:00 PM, the 2014 Mountain Selection Conference of the Earth Society at China University of Geosciences officially commenced in Room 421 of Teaching Building 1.
Attendees included veteran mountaineer Yuan Yang, former captain of the Chinese Women’s Mountaineering Team, Guo Cheng, president of the Earth Society, as well as representatives from the outdoor activity website "Green Field," the green outdoor environmental group "Friends of Nature," and the outdoor division of "Meige Mingcheng."
The Mountain Selection Conference is one of the annual events held by the Earth Society since its founding. It serves two main purposes: first, to select mountains for climbing during the May Day and National Day holidays, and second, to help new members gain a deeper understanding of the details related to mountaineering through the selection process, preparing them for future climbs.
2014 Mountain Selection Conference of the Earth Society
The event began with a commemorative video showcasing the Earth Society’s journey over the past five years. Both the guests and all team members watched the video with great emotion, feeling even more inspired to encounter the sacred snow-capped mountains.
Exciting Presentations
Next came the presentation session of the conference. The Earth Society members were divided into eight groups, with new members taking the lead in planning and presenting as the main participants in the mountain selection process. Each group was assigned 2 to 3 experienced senior members as mentors. From 7:30 to 8:30 PM, presenters from each of the eight groups took turns introducing their chosen mountains. The presentations were conducted in an orderly manner, with presenters demonstrating a thorough understanding of various aspects such as transportation, weather conditions, trail conditions, emergency plans, and budget estimates. However, due to limited experience, some ideas lacked feasibility, and certain proposals carried potential risks. In response, Teacher Yuan Yang and President Guo Cheng provided patient guidance and offered optimized solutions. Through the mentorship of these seasoned mountaineers, the new members became more aware of their shortcomings and learned to better avoid potential dangers.
After the lighthearted and engaging presentations from the eight groups, the first segment came to a close. Veteran Yuan Yang delivered a concluding speech. Drawing on his many years of climbing experience and reflecting on the current state of college students, he sincerely pointed out that today’s youth lack education in dealing with setbacks. He expressed hope that through the process of climbing snowy mountains, contemporary college students would learn more about how to face and overcome challenges, rather than focusing solely on the act of climbing itself. Yuan’s words served as an eye-opener for all attendees, elevating their understanding of mountaineering to a new level.
Speech by Teacher Yuan Yang
Subsequently, a representative from "Friends of Nature" also delivered a friendly speech. They shared their insights and suggestions regarding the current state of outdoor environmental protection, calling on everyone to integrate the concept of "green" into mountaineering and other outdoor activities, and to actively participate in environmental conservation efforts to contribute to cleaner skies.
Finally, all attending guests and Earth Society members gathered on stage for a group photo. With this, the 2014 Mountain Selection Conference of the Earth Society concluded successfully.
The conference proceeded smoothly and achieved its intended goals, thanks to the joint efforts of all participants and guests. Based on the presentations, it was evident that all members approached the event with great importance, careful organization, and active participation. It is hoped that the Earth Society members will move forward with vigor, ambition, courage, and innovation, writing a new chapter for the society.