As participation in outdoor activities continues to grow, safety risks have become more prominent. Hikers who form teams without systematic, professional training take on greater risks and expose more issues.
During the “Basic Skills Training,” Old Cao was only working part-time at the Fishto Outdoor Club. Because the club required all team leaders to be certified, Old Cao signed up. For those in the outdoor industry, basic skills are paramount—they form the foundation for other skill trainings. The training aims to enrich basic knowledge of mountaineering and outdoor activities, build mountain and outdoor skills, enhance the ability to identify wilderness dangers, improve outdoor capabilities, and raise safety awareness.
Old Cao said that he learned rope knotting techniques and how to set up belay anchors during the course. He realized that in the wild, how ropes are attached to anchor points must withstand scientific and practical scrutiny. He also noted that the course content was very practical. Additionally, the history of China’s mountaineering development, knowledge about climbing technical equipment and its use and maintenance, basic knowledge of the wilderness environment, and initial identification of outdoor activity risks are all things participants need to master.
Throughout the one-week learning process, the positive atmosphere in class greatly inspired the students’ enthusiasm. Young professionals just starting out in the outdoors, as well as seasoned veterans with rich guiding experience, all practiced diligently and exchanged insights. Some team leaders from different clubs even forged strong friendships during the course, strengthening ties between their clubs. Old Cao said that after successfully passing the assessment, he signed up for the “Introductory Outdoor Guide Training.” Through the basic skills training, he learned a lot of outdoor common sense, broadened his horizons, and confidently took solid steps forward on his beloved outdoor career path. For newcomers to the field, he believes this training can at least effectively improve safety awareness and help avoid certain risks.
Getting into the outdoor scene isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. What’s easy is that you just need a love for the outdoors and the courage to go when you want. The challenge lies in staying calm in unpredictable environments, safely handling outdoor challenges, and bravely overcoming obstacles.
Understanding Outdoor Training
Because the industry started relatively late in China, many people’s understanding of outdoor activities remains at a superficial level—just “hikers, road trippers, backpackers,” etc.—lacking awareness of the essential material conditions and relevant professional knowledge needed for real outdoor participation. Coupled with recent frequent “negative news” related to outdoor activities, it’s no wonder people start to wonder: how can we maintain a safe distance from nature?
To address these concerns, formal, professional outdoor training is essential for anyone starting out. Don’t underestimate these seemingly simple subjects—theory combined with practice is what enables both seasoned and novice hikers to go further in the outdoors.
In the realm of outdoor training, the Shanghai Mountaineering Association has considerable authority. As a professional organization for outdoor training in China, since 2009, the Shanghai Mountaineering Association has been commissioned by the China Mountaineering Association to run the “Basic Skills Training,” “Introductory Rock Climbing Guide Training,” and “Introductory Outdoor Guide Training.” It has now entered its fifth year. Over thirty sessions have been successfully held, graduating more than two hundred certified participants, most of whom have become key contributors to the development of outdoor activities in China.
When outdoor training was still unfamiliar to many, a large number of outdoor enthusiasts had already become certified and joined major outdoor clubs, actively engaging on the front lines of the outdoor industry. So, what exactly is outdoor training?
Hands-on Practice with an Emphasis on Safety
Every year, the Shanghai Mountaineering Association holds an “Introductory Rock Climbing Guide Training.” Each session attracts rock climbing enthusiasts from across the country. One participant, sporting a buzz cut and serving as both a civil servant and the “CEO” of Shanghai Traverse Outdoor Club, said he signed up because he believed the outdoor industry would become increasingly regulated, making professional certifications essential. Without proper credentials, one could face legal liability in case of accidents. Professional training and learning are his way of minimizing risks as much as possible.
During the training, participants start with the basics of rock climbing, gradually mastering foundational knowledge about climbing gear and training. They also learn how to plan climbing activities and guide methods, gaining detailed knowledge about injury prevention, recovery, and basic rescue techniques. Furthermore, they become proficient in lead climbing, top-rope protection, and rope-handling techniques, while also learning to manage and prevent problems within group activities. It’s a comprehensive, intense, systematic, and professional training program.
Buzz Cut believes the training enhanced his skills and elevated his passion for the outdoors to a more professional level. Through continuous practice, he became more methodical, ensuring safer trips and leading outdoor climbs. In emergencies, he can anticipate potential dangers and has contingency plans ready. Reflecting on the training, he found the content highly practical, the instructors dedicated, and the student camaraderie both supportive and competitive—an ideal learning environment. Based on his experience, he suggested that future courses could reduce theory and increase hands-on practice, letting every participant get involved to avoid learning only in theory.
Outdoor Leaders – Entrusted with Lives
As outdoor activities continue to develop, their philosophy of “freeing the mind and connecting with nature” has resonated more deeply, prompting more people to temporarily set aside stress and explore the “world outside.”
An outdoor leader is the core of any outdoor trip team. Experienced, skilled leaders are a club’s golden asset. Novice outdoor enthusiasts also need such experts to “guide the way.” That’s why the annual “Introductory Outdoor Guide Training” always draws active members from outdoor clubs across the country.
Feng Wuminging, a full-time leader at Tiantu Outdoor Club, graduated from the 56th Introductory Outdoor Guide Training class. Passionate about the outdoors with seven or eight years of experience, he had never systematically learned specific skills. Upon hearing from friends that the Mountaineering Association offered such a training, he signed up immediately. He laughed, saying he used to think outdoor skills were only learned in the military—never imagining there were now authoritative, professional training programs.
He said that among the better leaders in his club, having this certification is a given—it’s an official, authoritative credential. It’s also the most direct way to earn initial trust from team members. In the past, participants would choose leaders based on who was leading the trip. Now, it’s different—leaders can simply post their qualifications online, and members feel reassured upon seeing them. The certification from the Mountaineering Association is a symbol of authority that members recognize. After all, first-timers often have concerns and fears.
He added that for leaders, team members are literally putting their lives in their hands—others trust the leader because of that certification. What struck Feng Wuminging most during the training was the deep impression left on him: “Every trip requires extreme carefulness.” Eliminating risks beforehand is the responsibility of every outdoor leader. For example, when hiking canyon routes in summer, he always takes the lead and walks about 30–50 meters ahead of the group—this way, if he spots a snake, he can shoo it away without alarming the others. He also always carries a few essentials in his pack: a 20-meter rope, two survival blankets, backup food (chocolate, energy bars, compressed biscuits), and one liter of water. These are all precautions, which is why teammates often joke that his bag is heavy. These important details are what he learned during training.
Such training also serves as a platform for leaders to exchange ideas. Leaders from different clubs share route information, funny incidents from trips, and summarize each trail’s characteristics and guiding tips—all to ensure safety on future outings. The combination of theory and practice improves leaders’ actual guiding abilities.
On the path of outdoor training, the Shanghai Mountaineering Association continuously innovates, hoping to provide more outdoor enthusiasts with more systematic and professional theoretical knowledge through practical teaching models. At the same time, rich hands-on exercises help uncover potential safety hazards in advance. With guidance from instructors, participants learn how to anticipate, identify, and handle dangers, reducing the likelihood of outdoor accidents. Outdoor trips are not like ordinary tourism—alongside enjoyment comes greater risk. Outdoor training aims to deepen understanding of outdoor activities and enhance participants’ safety awareness. The Shanghai Mountaineering Association hopes to steer outdoor activities toward more scientific, standardized, and orderly development through these efforts.