Traversing roads never before marked by tire tracks, witnessing the wild and untamed beauty of the Nujiang River's hidden realm, and listening to the howling winds along the Eighth Highway to Tibet, all the way to Lhasa. This is not just a journey, but a rediscovery of the self — where the wildest passions bloom brilliantly along the path of adventure.
The North Face
April 12, 2013, organized by The North Face
The road from Bingzhongluo in Nujiang, Yunnan to Zogang in Tibet is regarded as the last highway leading from western Yunnan into Tibet, also known as the "Eighth Route to Tibet." Previously, no expedition team had ever successfully completed the crossing. This hidden path, long concealed within the Nujiang Grand Canyon, has preserved its unique primitive way of life and spectacular natural landscapes intact to this day, waiting to be discovered by adventurers.
1, An Exploratory Journey Touching the Wild Within
Before setting off, the members of the expedition team engaged in a relaxed warm-up in Dali—cycling around Erhai Lake, organized by The North Face
On April 14, the expedition team traveled upstream along the Nu River to Bingzhongluo at the Yunnan-Tibet border, where the vehicles entered the most challenging section of the journey.This road, which cannot be found on the map, is undeveloped and only allows one vehicle to pass at a time. On one side is a steep, broken mountain, and on the other is a breathtakingly deep canyon.Adding to the challenge, the weather was rainy, making the road even more treacherous.After two days of tackling extreme terrain, the experience further strengthened each member's sense of teamwork, as they perfectly dealt with challenges such as vehicle breakdowns, quicksand, and falling rocks... Faced with the harsh environment, the team members also demonstrated the beauty of selflessness and care.Writer Jiang Fangzhou said: “I’m also afraid, but such a path allows me to push the limits of my inner self and is also a way of self-discovery. I’ve already fallen in love with such challenges.””
A deep love for life and boundless passion drive Huang Chao to continually seek adventure.Whether it’s Gao Hu, who discovers himself through music and wandering, or Hei Yue Luan, who describes the world with his brush, both see venturing into the wild as a way to discover oneself and touch the breadth of the inner self.
2. "Go Wild, Go Discover"
Stepping into the hidden realm, nature is full of the unknown, waiting for the exploration team to discover.
In Fugong, musician Gao Hu carried his guitar and crossed the mighty Nu River using the most unique mode of transport used by locals — the “zip line” (Liusuo).Crossing the Nu River in this way is precisely musician Gao Hu's discovery and tribute to the Nu River's primitive way of life.Next, visit the Old Moudeng Church perched atop the mountains overlooking the rushing Nujiang River. Listen to the four-part a cappella hymns sung by the Lisu people in the great canyon — passed down orally, these hymns carry the scent of sunshine and earth. It’s almost like a language that builds communication between Gaohu and the villagers, uncovering common origins from different cultures, drawing musical inspiration, and filling musicians with a sense of “discovery,” joy, and emotion.
The joy of discovery also comes from delicious food.In Nyingchi's Luolong area, a delicious mushroom and chicken soup cooked in a Motuo stone pot delighted the hungry team members, who became very interested in this magical pot. Locals told the team that the stone pots are carved from a type of "soapstone" quarried from the cliffs of Mount Namjagbarwa, and due to climate conditions, the stones can only be collected during the two months of July and August each year.Before heading up the mountain, it’s necessary to stock up on two months’ worth of food and firewood. Since there are no roads, after preparation the supplies are carried down the mountain by yak and horse, then soaked in the waters of the Yarlung Tsangpo River for about 30 days before they can be used.The delicious food cooked with such magical cookware naturally becomes an unforgettable taste memory during the trip.
Along the way, the joy of exploring and discovering undoubtedly broadens the team members’ horizons and stimulates their creative impulses.The experience of exploring the Nujiang River will become a wonderful memory in the lives of the team members and also serve as another exciting material for Jiang Fangzhou, Gao Hu, Huang Chao, and Hei Yue Luan to express themselves.
3. Exploration gear for the hidden realm
On the wild road, by The North Face
Whether it's the rainy and muddy stretches along the Nujiang River or the harsh conditions of the Tibetan Plateau, The North Face
During this exploration journey, several participants were wearing The North FaceHedgehog hiking shoes feature a lightweight midsole structure, BOA multi-directional adjustment lacing, and the innovative CRADLETM Guide technology. They not only provide effective protection on adventures but also allow team members to fully express themselves and easily handle varied terrains—from cycling around Erhai Lake to road skateboarding, from trekking through the rocky paths of Laigu Glacier to navigating the rainy, muddy mountain roads of the Nujiang Gorge. Every step of the Nujiang exploration journey becomes easier and more comfortable.
It’s these “adventure essentials” that accompany everyone from the ever-changing Nujiang Gorge all the way to the Tibetan Plateau—from rain and snow to bitter cold, from scorching sun to fierce winds—on journeys of walking, cycling, zip-lining, gazing at mountain ranges, catching one’s breath, forming strong bonds with fellow travelers, and forging paths through hidden lands.
Thus far, THE NORTH FACE