The man was rescued off the mountain, but unfortunately did not regain consciousness. Photo provided by netizen.
On the 19th, a 27-year-old hiker slipped and fell while climbing Shaoshi Mountain in Dengfeng and later died despite rescue efforts.
Online post
A hiker dies after an accident in the Three Kings Fortress scenic area
On the morning of January 20, an online post titled "Hiker falls on Shaoshi Mountain, dies after being sent to hospital" sparked heated discussion.
At around 6 p.m. that day, a reporter contacted the poster, Kang Xiaonao. "The incident happened at 3:30 p.m. on the 19th, when a hiker fell from behind the General’s Temple on the Three Kings Fortress," he said.
After the incident occurred, emergency personnel from Dengfeng People's Hospital quickly arrived at the scene and carried out a rescue operation together with the fire brigade. At that time, another hiker known as "Rainy Walk" also heard the news and swiftly joined the rescue team. "About half an hour later, we got the injured hiker down the mountain and onto the ambulance," said Rainy Walk.
Yesterday afternoon, a staff member at the emergency room of Dengfeng People's Hospital introduced that the "hiker" was named Li Hongcai, registered age 27, from Gongyi.
"He fell from the mountain and, unfortunately, sustained a head injury," the staff member said. Around 9:30 a.m. yesterday, news came from the emergency room that Li Hongcai had "died despite medical treatment."
At around 7 p.m. last night, a person in charge of the Provincial Outdoor Rescue Team said they had not yet been able to contact the organizer of this hiking trip.
Netizen
Outdoor Travel is Dangerous — Are the Organizers, the “Hiking Leaders,” Reliable?
This online post has drawn attention from many netizens. Most expressed concerns about the dangers of outdoor travel and the reliability of the organizers, the so-called “hiking leaders.”
Crossing Songshan: For outdoor trips, safety comes first. New hikers should not easily attempt high-difficulty, high-intensity outdoor activities and should act within their abilities — “grow slowly.”
Rain Tower: I am also a hiker. For outdoor activities, the “hiking leader” (the organizer of the trip) must plan the route in advance, ensuring both fun and safety.
Holy Land Anthem: The “hiking leader” hasn’t been contacted yet — probably hiding out already, right? Did the “hiking leader” accompany the injured to the hospital? Did they help contact the family? Shouldn’t the “hiking leader” have been at the hospital supporting the injured before the family arrived?
HalfmoonBend: Nowadays, outdoor sports are “springing up everywhere.” Just join a couple of “hiking groups” and you become a “hiking leader” — very irresponsible. Even worse, some “hiking leaders” treat outdoor trips as money-making schemes, disregarding the personal safety of hikers.
Reminder
Outdoor Activities Carry Risks — Adequate Preparation is Essential
A reporter’s online search found that cases of hikers dying or getting injured during outdoor trips are frequently reported.
On November 24 last year, 10 hikers were trekking across Aoshan. Due to slippery roads from snow, one member injured their leg, and the entire group stayed overnight on the mountain. That night, a sudden blizzard hit Aoshan, freezing three hikers to death. The other seven eventually reunited with local villagers and survived.
On December 22 last year, two hikers from Beijing were trapped on Lingshan Mountain. That night, temperatures dropped to minus 25°C, with snow about 50 cm deep and winds reaching force 7. The missing pair were not found until noon on the 23rd — one had frozen to death, and the other died despite rescue efforts.
On January 12 this year, a 40-something hiker from Shenyang accidentally fell and was seriously injured in Dagou Valley, suffering major fractures and getting trapped in a valley. They were later rescued by volunteers.
A staff member from the Provincial Outdoor Rescue Team said that most hikers tend to be overly optimistic and lack deep knowledge of the terrain and landforms of their destination. “Insufficient equipment, poor self-rescue ability, and lack of wilderness survival skills are the main reasons for outdoor mishaps,” he said.
He reminded that winter expeditions require vigilance against hypothermia, falling, and getting lost. It’s essential to prepare adequate cold-weather gear and protective equipment such as ropes and trekking poles. Additionally, it’s important to fully understand the local weather conditions before setting out, and to carry a compass and GPRS positioning devices to avoid getting lost in the wild.