From September 2 to September 9, the "Mountain Guardians" 2013 Banchi Peak Environmental Protection Action, jointly organized by the Sichuan Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association and the Bipo Valley Scenic Area Administration of Li County, and hosted by Chengdu Leading Climb Outdoor Sports Co., Ltd., with the support of Zhuhai Boya Outdoor Sports School, Shushan Expeditions, Sichuan-Tibet High Altitude Guide & Support Team, Cliff Sheep Outdoor, and Westbound Outdoor, will be held in Bipo Valley, Li County, Sichuan. It is reported that this "Mountain Guardians" environmental protection action is the first national public welfare event in which local management authorities, scenic areas, and outdoor sports organizations join forces to maintain mountain resources. The professional outdoor brands KAILAS, ZEALWOOD, and Mountain House provided comprehensive support for the "Mountain Guardians" environmental protection action.
It is understood that the national recruitment campaign for the "Mountain Guardians" environmental protection action, launched in early August, received applications from outdoor enthusiasts in over 10 provinces and more than 40 cities. After a comprehensive evaluation of applicants, experts and coaches selected 20 environmental protection volunteers who will join 20 renowned domestic mountaineering coaches and support staff to participate in the first "Mountain Guardians" environmental protection action. Together, they will assist the Bipo Valley Scenic Area in maintaining climbing trails, constructing eco-friendly toilets using locally sourced materials, and thoroughly cleaning up pollutants left behind by climbers. During the event, training sessions on the "Leave No Trace" outdoor environmental protection principles and philosophy will also be conducted.
Banchi Peak is located within the national-level Bipo Valley Scenic Area in Sichuan, with an elevation of 5,430 meters, and was first summited in May 2004. Currently, the peak has four different types and styles of summit routes starting from Camp C2, making it a favorite among many mountaineering enthusiasts and mountaineering organizations. Domestic mountaineering service companies and training institutions have defined it as the best site for training in beginner-level snow mountain climbing. According to incomplete statistics, nearly 1,000 climbers visit the area each year to learn and experience the joy of mountaineering.
The "Mountain Guardians" initiative is a national public welfare project launched by Chengdu Leading Climb Mountaineering Training School to give back to society. By collaborating with well-known mountaineering guide teams and training institutions in the industry, it promotes and practices environmentally friendly mountaineering methods. Regular activities include mountain litter cleanup, trail maintenance, and the construction of eco-friendly toilets. "Mountain Guardians" aims to promote the "Leave No Trace" mountaineering philosophy, minimizing human impact on nature. Each event publicly recruits volunteers from the community to assist local management authorities in establishing effective environmental protection mechanisms for mountaineering and outdoor activities.
"The wilderness is our school. While humans continue to climb and challenge their limits, we must give back to nature," said Zeng Shan, initiator of the event, one of the first summiteers of Banchi Peak, and head of Leading Climb Mountaineering Training School. "As a professional mountaineering training institution, Leading Climb has the responsibility to work with everyone to protect mountain resources and maintain the balance and harmony between us and nature."