In response to the increasing number of safety incidents in China’s outdoor sports in recent years, Wang Fei, Secretary-General of the Provincial Mountaineering Association, revealed today that in 2013, our province will improve the organization of both mountain exploration and mountain rescue teams. Key members will be selected from city and prefecture-level mountain rescue teams, and an application will be submitted to the General Administration of Sport of China to join the national mountain rescue system.
In recent years, the Provincial Mountaineering Association has successfully built a capable high-altitude climbing team. In 2011, three team members—Zhang Xiaofan, Liao Wu jun, and Lin Xi—successfully summited Muztagh Ata, known as the “Father of Ice Mountains,” in Xinjiang, which stands at 7,546 meters. In October 2012, Lin Xi reached the summit of Nepal’s Manaslu Peak at 8,163 meters, becoming the first female climber from our province to conquer a peak above 8,000 meters. In 2012, the Provincial Mountaineering Association also organized high-altitude climbing safety technology training, as well as provincial mountaineering competitions and the Central South Five Provinces “Hundred-Mile Danxia” hiking challenge, all of which promoted the development of outdoor sports in Hunan.
Wang Fei stated that in 2013, the Provincial Mountaineering Association will further standardize the market for mountaineering and outdoor sports in the province, and strengthen training for social sports instructors in these fields. At the same time, the organization of the provincial mountain exploration and mountain rescue teams will be improved. Key members will be selected from city and prefecture-level mountain rescue teams, a database of team members will be established, and an application will be submitted to the General Administration of Sport of China to join the national mountain rescue system. Support will also be sought from the Provincial Emergency Management Office and the Fire Brigade.