Before attempting the perilous Aotai “death route” in Shaanxi, he knowingly took on the risk, deliberately bought insurance and left the policy with a colleague, instructing them to contact his wife for funeral arrangements if he didn’t return in 20 days.
At the same time, he secretly borrowed 3,500 yuan from his family without telling his wife and children, and placed the IOU along with his “suicide note,” telling his wife that if he didn’t come back, she must repay the debt.
Although this “hiker” luckily succeeded in traversing the Aotai “death route” in 10 days, it sparked a huge controversy, with some outright calling his actions “utterly reckless and stupid,” saying he took thrill-seeking way too far.
Yesterday, reporters from Beiguowang and Liaoshen Evening News met with this hiker who had just returned home—his online name is “Shede.” The Huludao hikers who welcomed him home were all surprised at first sight: “Why are you so haggard? You’ve lost at least 10 pounds.”
Traversing “made me feel like breaking down every day”
“Shede” is 47 years old this year, works as a security guard at a company, and earns a monthly salary of 1,100 yuan. He started getting into outdoor sports last year and goes mountain climbing almost every week.
Later, he learned about the Aotai line, one of the top-tier hiking routes, and starting from the beginning of this year, he secretly prepared for the Aotai traverse while keeping it from his family. Once everything was ready, on August 10, after 27 hours of jolting by train and bus, “Shede” arrived in Taibai County, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province.
That night, “Shede” and others camped near a water source. It was very cold at night; even wearing thick fleece and starting a fire, it remained freezing. Everyone cooked using a pot. The campsite was nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, and lighters struggled to ignite in the thin air, so the rice took a long time to cook and was only half-done. To replenish energy, everyone just made do with it.
When walking at night, the hikers turned on their headlamps and moved forward while whistling. For some stretches, they were literally walking along cliffs, where a slight misstep could send them tumbling into an abyss. “Every day made me feel like breaking down, but each day also gave me new courage and determination. I had no choice but to move forward, because turning back meant death.”
Walking through the deep mountains and forests, not knowing how much farther the path went, “Shede” grew more and more afraid and uncertain. Fortunately, he later met Shandong hikers led by a guide and managed to get out of the danger zone. On the 10th day, “Shede” finally saw signs of human habitation. “At that moment, tears came to my eyes.”
Insurance for the colleague, IOU for the wife
Before setting off, “Shede” knew this long journey was dangerous, so he deliberately went to the insurance company to buy a policy, then placed it with a colleague and said: “If I haven’t come back in 20 days, go to my home address in the envelope and find my wife to arrange my funeral.”
“Shede,” whose family isn’t well-off, borrowed 3,500 yuan from a friend for this trip, and placed the IOU in the envelope as well. He left a letter for his wife: “If I don’t come back, you must repay the money I owe. I don’t want to leave debts behind after death.”
Although “Shede” successfully traversed the Aotai, it sparked heated discussion, with some saying his thinking was odd and his mindset problematic; some even said bluntly: “There’s a kind of stupidity called the Aotai traverse.”
Dialogue: “It really was somewhat irresponsible”
Beiguowang, Liaoshen Evening News: Borrowing money to buy insurance and go hiking for a traverse—do you think it was worth it? Why?
“Shede”: Worth it. I’m a hiker, and what I love is the thrill. Because conquering the Aotai line is like jumping straight from undergraduate to master’s and doctoral degrees. I was confident I could traverse Aotai, and it was also to challenge myself.
Beiguowang, Liaoshen Evening News: But if something happens and you leave your wife and kids behind, aren’t you being somewhat irresponsible?
“Shede”: To be honest, it really was somewhat irresponsible—I didn’t think that much. The average human lifespan is 73 years, and I’m almost 50. My personality has this upward-striving trait; if there’s something I want to do, I have to do it while I can. Once I pass 50, age and physical strength won’t allow me to do traverses anymore, and I’ll never get the chance again.
Beiguowang, Liaoshen Evening News: What was the biggest gain or insight after traversing Aotai?
“Shede”: Over those 10 days, walking through the mountains and forests, I saw many scenes of life and death, and reflected on the importance of life and living. Humans are so tiny compared to nature—it wasn’t me conquering Aotai, but Aotai tolerating me. I want to remind fellow hikers that when traveling outdoors, always choose routes based on your actual ability, and don’t play with your life.
Beiguowang, Liaoshen Evening News: If you were given another chance to traverse Aotai, would you go again?
“Shede”: No way, not even if you killed me. It was truly too dangerous. After that first traverse, I won’t take any more pointless risks. I’ll cherish life more and won’t risk it recklessly again.
Noun: Aotai “death route”
The Qinling traverse is one of China’s top ten most grueling outdoor routes, and the Aotai to Taibai Mountain traverse is the foremost route in the Qinling range—a sacred place longed for by many hikers. The entire traverse takes about six to seven days, with most of it passing through uninhabited areas.