The 2nd China-France Mountain Partnership Joint Outdoor Leader Training Camp, sponsored by top European outdoor brand Salomon, was held from September 12 to 15 at the Golden Rooster Valley Outdoor Sports Base in Pingle Ancient Town, Sichuan.
A total of over a hundred outdoor leaders from across the country applied for this training camp, and after strict selection, 20 outdoor leaders ultimately participated. Mr. Serge Koenig (Gao Ning), the overall course planner of the training camp, was involved throughout the event and frequently joined the sessions to discuss mountain safety and rescue topics with the leaders.
The training camp adopted a discussion-based teaching approach, emphasizing seminars and hands-on practice. It aimed to help leaders not only master operational skills but also gain a deeper understanding of their underlying principles and design logic. Gradually, participants learned and jointly explored various subjects including mountain safety risks, knot tying and belay station construction, rock climbing instruction organization, rope bridge building, zip line setup, high-altitude special environment rescue, and via ferrata climbing.
The overall curriculum of this training camp was not easy. To cover as much content as possible within the limited time, the schedule was tightly packed.
On the afternoon of their arrival in Pingle Ancient Town, the leaders began discussions on mountain safety risks, and in the evening, they immediately moved on to learning and practicing knots and belay stations.
Early the next morning, the outdoor leaders set out in groups with maps to find the activity campsite. After a short rest upon reaching the campsite on foot, they reviewed the knot and belay station lessons, followed by practicing tension systems, low-altitude rescue drills, and tandem rappelling. Around 4 p.m., they began the practical rock climbing instruction session. In the evening, although an early rest was planned, the organizing committee surprised everyone with a nighttime via ferrata climb—China’s first nighttime via ferrata practice. The thrill and excitement of walking on cliffs late at night reignited everyone’s passion.
On the third day of the training camp, after two days of foundational skill learning, the focus shifted to practical application. Participants used the skills they had learned—such as knot tying and belay station setup—to construct real-world rope bridges and zip lines for mountain activities. The 20 leaders were divided into two large groups and four smaller teams to build rope bridges and zip lines, which were then successfully tested. In the evening, a bonfire barbecue party allowed everyone’s nerves to finally relax as they chatted freely about life in the outdoors in a laid-back atmosphere.
On the fourth day, the leaders were taken to a 30-meter-high cliff for high-altitude special environment rescue drills. Everyone took on assigned roles—operator, porter, and patient—to conduct rescue exercises in a realistic environment. Performing rescue operations and lowering an injured person from over 30 meters up was undoubtedly intense.
Aside from the intensive hands-on practice and engaging discussions, the leaders also got to know each other better, laying a solid foundation for future collaboration and exchange.