"277, report your location—can you reach 200?"
"557, we’ve passed the Chai Village Bridge."
"Units 200, 277, 239, 227, 207, and four firefighters—eight people total—are ready to head up the mountain."
……
On the 15th, five hikers from Xinghua Street in Taiyuan, Shanxi, ventured up Mao Ren Temple in Muyun Mountain. Originally planning to return home via the rear hills of North University of China, they got lost in the mountains. After crossing two cliff-faced ridges back-to-back, darkness fell, prompting them to call the police. Officers contacted firefighters from the Chai Village Squad and the Tianlong Rescue Team. Subsequently, eight rescuers and four firefighters navigated deep ravines and dense thorn bushes at -15°C in the mountains, guided by high-powered flashlights, to rescue the stranded individuals.
The trapped hikers couldn’t specify their exact location.
Around 8 PM on the 15th, upon learning that five people were stranded on the rear hills of North University of China, I borrowed a walkie-talkie from a familiar Tianlong Rescue Team member, tuned it to their communication frequency, and headed to the university.
Along the way, the walkie-talkie crackled with updates. I learned the trapped group consisted of five individuals—the oldest 61, the youngest 48—three women and two men.
By 9:20 PM, I boarded a rescue team member’s vehicle at the university’s entrance, en route to the mountains. The rescuer, part of the second wave, mentioned that the first team had already ascended.
At approximately 9:20 PM, I followed the rescuer to a clearing in the mountains, where police cars, fire trucks, and several vehicles marked "Tianlong Rescue" were parked, all with headlights on. On-site rescuers reported that eight team members and four firefighters had reached the mountain and spotted lights from the stranded group.
Officers from Shanglan Police Station explained that they had just handled a similar mountain rescue case on the 4th. Upon receiving this distress call, they retrieved the rescue team’s contact from past records and reached out for help. "The trapped individuals couldn’t provide a precise address. Firefighters drove along the road with searchlights, instructing them to call when they saw the light," an officer said. When the stranded group called back, confirming visibility of the lights, the rescuers and firefighters began their uphill trek.
At 9:28 PM, I accompanied the second-wave rescuers up the rugged mountain path. Despite holding their hands, I frequently slipped on loose gravel underfoot.
After walking several hundred meters, we reached a small clearing. Beyond lay a thorn thicket over a meter tall. The second-wave rescuers then contacted the first team, who confirmed they’d located the stranded hikers at 9:57 PM—all in stable condition.
Multiple rescuers injured by thorns
At around 10:10 PM, I checked in with rescuers in the mountains. After an initial assessment, they confirmed no injuries but provided the hikers with hot water and warm coats before initiating their descent.
At 11:13 PM, standing in the clearing, I spotted the rescuers reaching the mountaintop. During the descent, ropes were used to help the stranded individuals slide down safely.
By 11:40 PM, all rescuers, firefighters, and stranded hikers had regrouped in the clearing.
At this point, every rescuer and firefighter was covered in dirt and sweat.
Tianlong Rescue Team member Huang Gang explained that though they spotted the stranded group’s lights and pinpointed their location, a 30-meter-deep ravine choked with thorns lay between them. "We had to trudge through the thorns—many teammates got cuts on their hands and legs."
With loose soil making every step treacherous, the team spent over an hour using ropes to cross two cliffs before reaching the trapped hikers.
Upon seeing the rescuers, one woman broke down: "Even my own child wouldn’t come for me—let alone you, who are younger than my kids." She wept twice more en route, overwhelmed by gratitude.
Rescued veteran hiker requests to join the team
The five trapped individuals appeared in good spirits, all wearing backpacks, windproof jackets, and walking sticks—clearly seasoned hikers. "We live on Xinghua Street and are neighbors. We often hike together—it’s been over three years," shared Ms. Guo.
Ms. Guo explained they had set out for Mao Ren Temple in the morning, had lunch, and began their return. Someone claimed familiarity with the mountain path, leading them home that way—but after crossing one cliff-lined ridge, then another, time slipped away as daylight faded, leaving them disoriented.
The eldest trapped hiker expressed remorse: "I’m retired and can’t contribute to the nation anymore. I didn’t mean to trouble everyone." He added, "I’m a decent driver and cook—I’ll join you as support staff."
Another rescued man clasped a rescuer’s hand, offering to repay their kindness someday.
Around 11:50 PM, the five were driven home safely by local police. (Reporters: Yang Zhoufen, Zhao Yixin [intern])