Hiking through grand canyons might be a dream for outdoor enthusiasts, but many give up due to lack of time. However, starting in late May, not only can people attend outdoor knowledge lectures given by experienced mountaineers from the Tibet Mountaineering School, they can also participate in outdoor activities such as rock climbing and hiking. If there’s enough time, there’s also an opportunity to show off their skills at the climbing training base in Yangbajing.
Lack of venues
Rock climbing enthusiasts face restrictions
Xiao Chen, an outdoor sports enthusiast, came to Lhasa two years ago. “I’ve always wanted to try some of Tibet’s classic hiking routes, but weekends just aren’t enough time. I also enjoy rock climbing, but there are no proper spots in Lhasa,” said Xiao Chen. As a result, he ends up staying at home watching DVDs every weekend.
In Lhasa, there are many residents who share Xiao Chen’s hobbies. Although in recent years Lhasa has made great efforts to develop public sports, building numerous fitness facilities and activity spaces, most of these venues are indoors and mainly equipped with fitness machines—not suitable for outdoor rock climbing. Paid fitness centers in the city mostly offer yoga, dance, and similar programs, and cannot provide professional training either. This has been very discouraging for rock climbing enthusiasts like Xiao Chen.
Public fitness
Developing suburban hiking routes
Yesterday, reporters learned from the Tibet Sacred Mountain Mountaineering Expedition Service Company that, in response to the national fitness campaign, the company plans to develop hiking routes suitable for Lhasa residents.
“We plan to establish three to five well-known hiking routes around Lhasa within two to three years. Currently, many people already choose to hike from Ganden Monastery to Samye Monastery, while the route from Sera Monastery to Drepung Monastery is also quite popular. There is a training base for the Tibet Mountaineering Team in Yangbajing, which has decent accommodation and food, and is mostly vacant during the low season for mountaineering. We can make full use of it. There are many suitable hiking trails nearby, which we plan to develop,” said a staff member from the company. Residents can undergo group training and then take a bus to Yangbajing, where they can stay overnight and even soak in hot springs before going on the hiking trip.
It is understood that the hiking routes are generally within 50 to 60 kilometers of Lhasa, including the Lhalu Wetland loop, the hike from Sera Monastery to Drepung Monastery, and the Ngarze Valley trek. These usually take about four to five hours. Longer options include hikes from Yangbajing to Ganden Monastery and the traditional trek from Ganden to Samye Monastery.
Serving the public
Gradually opening up training bases
According to reports, the company was established to help graduates of the Tibet Mountaineering School find employment. It currently focuses on expedition services, supplemented by high-altitude trekking.
“To celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary, we plan to organize public participation in hiking and rock climbing activities starting from late May this year. In the future, this activity will be carried out on a long-term basis to serve the public. For rock climbing, we will use the Assault Camp Restaurant near the Tibet Sports Bureau as a base, organizing regular climbing sessions for enthusiasts,” the staff member said. The Tibet Mountaineering Museum will also be open to the public and provide services.
It is understood that the outdoor rock climbing sites near the Tibet Mountaineering School and close to Sera Monastery will also be gradually opened to the public. Interested residents will be able to climb under the guidance of instructors from the Tibet Mountaineering School. The organized low-altitude hiking and rock climbing activities will all be below the snow line, without equipment restrictions, and are suitable for weekend outings for the general public.
Ensuring safety
Regularly holding knowledge lectures
“Currently, there are many enthusiasts in Lhasa who organize activities on their own. However, the skill levels of participants vary, some lack essential outdoor knowledge, and since teams are formed spontaneously, they often lack the ability to handle potential accidents or disputes,” the staff member said. In addition to organizing events, they will also regularly invite instructors from the Tibet Mountaineering School and the Tibet Mountaineering Team to hold knowledge lectures.
What to wear, how much water to bring, what food to carry, how difficult the hiking or climbing will be, and how to climb are among the main topics covered in the lectures.