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Rock climbing enthusiasts
After a spring rain, Ningbo finally enjoyed a rare spell of sunny weather. Though the temperatures were still low, outdoor sports enthusiasts couldn’t wait to head into nature and embrace the arrival of spring. Yesterday, reporters at the Shizhuling Ridge along the Beishan Hiking Trail in Jiangbei saw a group of citizens engaging in rock climbing. “This place isn’t far from downtown Ningbo—if such great resources aren’t put to use, it would truly be a waste,” said the team leader “Dahai” (online alias), excitedly.
Looks easy but is tough to climb
Rock climbing is still a niche activity in Ningbo, a far cry from the crowd drawn to hiking. On the Beishan Hiking Trail, hikers came and went nonstop, often stopping to watch the climbers in action. “For beginners, Shizhuling is an entry-level spot—the difficulty is just right,” said “Dahai.”
Yesterday, all those who went rock climbing with “Dahai” were newbies. “Mobei” (online alias), who works in Cixi, told reporters that she’s always loved outdoor activities, but this was her first time trying rock climbing. “From down below, it looked like it’d be simple to climb up, but when I tried it myself, I found it really tough. You have to use your hands and feet, and you need good body coordination. I got stuck after climbing just over a meter,” said “Mobei,” who dangled on the rock face for a while before eventually giving up.
Discovering a big cliff—an exciting “new find”
During the interview, reporters also met “Sanduo” (online alias), who had just returned from exploring a “new discovery.” Yesterday morning, he and a group of climbers explored the area around Shizhuling and unexpectedly discovered a new large cliff not far away. “There’s no path leading there—it’s completely natural—and both the height and difficulty are greater than at Shizhuling. After getting some basic training here at Shizhuling, it’s perfect to come here to level up.”
“Amu” (online alias), who came out to try rock climbing over the weekend, felt sore all over afterward but didn’t mind in the least. “Going through the challenge of outdoor sports keeps me in a good state of mind—it’s a great way for me to relieve stress.”