Tracing the Fall of a Female Hiker from Guangzhou in Siguniang Mountain
A female hiker from Guangzhou, Wu Fengjing, died in an accidental fall in Siguniang Mountain. The incident is still under investigation, but this life-and-death mountain journey has already sparked discussion among outdoor enthusiasts. How to prevent such tragedies from happening again has become the focus of attention.
Climbing Siguniang Mountain was a personal leisure activity
Yesterday, reporters learned from Wu Fengjing’s tax system employer that the accident occurred during a personal trip taken during her leave. The employer is actively assisting the family with follow-up arrangements, and the trip was not related to the workplace.
According to them, Wu Fengjing was a vibrant young woman who loved traveling and outdoor sports, and was also an athletic champion. A colleague said that Wu’s mountain climb was a personal trip during her leave, and everyone is deeply saddened and regretful about her sudden passing. “It’s hard to accept—may she rest in peace.”
Zheng Zhaohui, the guide involved in the incident, responded to our interview. He stated that Baiyue Outdoor Club is a legitimate organization with all the required documentation, and that personal accident insurance is purchased for team members before every climb. Currently, Zheng is accompanying Wu Fengjing’s family to handle insurance claims and other post-incident matters.
Regarding requests to interview Wu Fengjing’s family, Zheng Zhaohui said that her parents are currently very fragile, and every phone call could cause them to break down again. They do not wish to be disturbed. Zheng promised that although there are many speculative rumors online, “I will publicly disclose the full course of events once the situation has settled.”
Guide Zheng Zhaohui Is an Authority in Outdoor Mountaineering
Reporters found that although climbing in Siguniang Mountain is legal, it is subject to strict time and designated location requirements. Climbers must first apply for a mountaineering permit from the Sichuan Mountaineering Association, specifying the climbing time, location, and individual fitness criteria. With the permit, they then sign a risk agreement at the scenic area to confirm the climbing schedule, location, and risk disclosures before purchasing a specialized, real-name outdoor entry ticket.
According to a local guide, Wu Fengjing was an experienced hiker with a certain level of outdoor exploration ability. Originally, this expedition had hired him as the guide, but the guide was changed after entering the mountain to a more senior climber, Zheng Zhaohui. Zheng holds a professional high-altitude support certificate and is one of the top professional mountaineering guides in China. Mr. Wen, an outdoor enthusiast from Guangzhou, had interacted with “Dizzy Wolf” Zheng Zhaohui on multiple occasions. Upon hearing about the accident, he expressed great surprise: “There were absolutely no technical issues—he is widely recognized as an authority in outdoor mountaineering in China.”
Despite having met equipment and expertise standards, Zheng Zhaohui is still considered to have operated in violation of regulations in the current responsibility assessment. Local authorities explained that although Zheng holds many titles, he does not possess a Siguniang Mountain outdoor activity practitioner qualification certificate. “He can only be considered a team leader, akin to a full escort in a travel agency, but not a certified guide or support staff.” Moreover, they altered the outdoor activity project and route without authorization—originally planning for ice climbing but switching to mountain climbing—and failed to file the climbing plan with the scenic area management. Currently, Zheng Zhaohui and his outdoor club bear full responsibility.
Psychological Panic Indicates Insufficient Preparation
The frequent occurrence of mountaineering accidents has cast a shadow over the sport. How can we ensure the safety of hikers in the mountains?
Guangzhou hiking enthusiast “Warm Hands” said that there are very few outdoor climbing spots near Guangdong, so many enthusiasts have to travel elsewhere. Places like the high mountains of Tibet, Qinghai, and Yunnan have their own group of Guangzhou “fans.” The current season is the best time for climbing, with almost every week seeing friends heading out. Due to its accessibility, good logistical support, and suitable terrain, Sichuan has become a top choice. Among these, Siguniang Mountain is actually a very well-established route, while Jian Shanzi is relatively unique. It stands at 5,472 meters. In 2007, five climbing teams attempted to summit but none succeeded. From the snow slope at 5,000 meters to the large ice cap at the 5,400-meter summit, the route is almost entirely composed of rock faces with an average gradient of 70 degrees, with three sections exceeding or approaching 100 degrees. “In previous years, the spring snow was heavy and deep, making climbing easier. But this year, with less snow, loose rocks were exposed, and the anchors may not have held properly. This could be a major factor in the tragedy.”
Mr. You, a seasoned mountaineer who has challenged many high mountains in China, believes that regardless of conditions, extreme mountaineering carries absolute risks, thus placing high demands on climbers’ physical fitness, skills, and mental state. One must always have a buffer and not exceed their limits. From Wu Fengjing’s social media posts, it appears that during her climb up Jian Shanzi, she messaged friends expressing sentiments like “scared, wanting to give up, feeling uneasy, never wanted to come down so badly,” indicating psychological panic. These emotions reflect another layer—that her personal skills and physical preparation were insufficient. “Extreme sports should never be rushed; ascending high mountains should involve a gradual progression in difficulty.”
Hikers Urge Government to Improve Safety Oversight
After the incident, many focused their attention on calling for the government to improve management systems.
“What’s lacking in China isn’t just oversight of hikers, but also services.” A senior outdoor hiking enthusiast from Guangzhou believes that since the rise of hiking culture, many cross-country routes in Tibet, Yunnan, and Sichuan were literally “blazed” by groups of hikers. However, scenic area management tends to be cautious about such risky outdoor activities, and to date, no scenic area has proactively developed or promoted any cross-country routes.
The hiker said that in 2010, an incident of unauthorized climbing (“sneak climbing”) occurred in the Siguniang Mountain area, resulting in two deaths and one injury. As a result, the route was closed for two years. If such incidents lead to calls to “restrict” mountaineering altogether, the costs outweigh the benefits. The government should focus more on improving services.
Tourism management departments, industry associations, and local governments should fulfill their duty of safety oversight by conducting safety risk assessments and disclosures for various scenic areas, and providing supporting services such as geographic and meteorological information. For undeveloped or unopened canyons, government departments also have the obligation to inform of risks and advise against entry—for example, by setting up warning signs or marking restricted zones. (Reporter Xu Chen)