Certainly, taking in the breathtaking views from the mountaintop is a thrilling experience, but the climbing process is a test of both psychological and physical limits.
■From 2001 to 2011, a total of 104 people died in mountaineering accidents in China
■The number of participants has surged, yet supporting regulations and management lag severely behind
■Safety education remains merely words on a trip itinerary
Professional mountaineers believe that for urban dwellers, the effectiveness of gear can even outweigh mountaineering knowledge and physical fitness. Hikers need to repeatedly check their equipment, as individuals are vulnerable in the outdoors—professional gear can give you a crucial edge.
Mountaineering Precautions
1. If you are climbing a high mountain or rarely engage in climbing activities, do some muscle stretching exercises before the climb to relax your muscles as much as possible.
2. While climbing, consciously add a bit of bounce to each step.
3. Avoid constantly looking up the mountain while climbing; it’s best to keep your gaze fixed three to five meters ahead.
4. If the trail is steep, consider using a zigzag pattern to climb, which is more energy-efficient.
5. Always consider the local environment before climbing and avoid ascending blindly.
6. Ensure your gear is complete and never leave it behind.
7. If you get lost while climbing, find shelter from the wind in advance.
8. In snowy conditions, consider digging a snow cave or building a makeshift windbreak with dry firewood.
9. When descending, control your pace and avoid rushing downhill, as this can easily lead to injury.
10. Pay attention to relaxing the muscles around your knees; keeping them too tense puts excessive pressure on leg joints and causes muscle fatigue.
If You Encounter Danger
1. Send out a distress signal promptly and gather combustible materials to prepare for warmth.
2. In extremely cold weather, avoid intense physical activity and keep your hands and feet moving continuously.
3. Stay mentally engaged by doing small activities while waiting for rescue.
4. If you’re in a group, huddle together with one or more people for warmth, keep talking, and encourage one another.
Gear
The prices of mountaineering gear on the market vary widely, with almost every item ranging from just a few dozen yuan to tens of thousands. Functionality and environmental adaptability are key factors influencing the price.
Whether in summer or winter, a suitable mountaineering backpack and trekking poles are essential. However, a high-quality backpack can cost over 5,000 yuan. For most hikers, a backpack costing a few hundred yuan along with a thousand-yuan waterproof jacket is a good choice. But outdoor professionals advise against focusing solely on price when choosing gear; selection should be based on individual fitness levels and the specific mountain environment.
“I will ascend the mountain’s crest; I will look down on all peaks beneath.” Gazing into the distance from high ground has long been a life philosophy and attitude revered by the Chinese. Today, with improved living standards, more and more people are taking up mountaineering as a hobby to strengthen their bodies and cultivate their minds. Yet, few realize that towering mountains have always been a hidden threat to life. Just a few days ago, two young lives were tragically buried by ice and snow on Beijing’s Wuzhi Peak.
Certainly, taking in the breathtaking views from the mountaintop is a thrilling experience, but the climbing process is a test of both psychological and physical limits. For ordinary hikers, learning how to protect themselves during mountaineering is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed and improved. The lack of assessment and certification systems for hiking clubs in China, along with hikers’ insufficient professional knowledge, are also major reasons behind mountaineering accidents.
Recent Surge in Mountaineering Fatalities
Modern mountaineering originated in the European Alps and has a history of over 200 years. As a sport, the number of participants is generally proportional to the level of local economic development. In developed countries such as those in Europe, America, and Japan, mountaineering enjoys widespread participation across all social classes and age groups. In contrast, in Africa and some underdeveloped countries, apart from those working as guides, few treat mountaineering as a sport or industry.
On Forbes' list of the most dangerous sports, mountaineering ranks only seventh. Compared to racing and diving, mountaineering has its own advantages in terms of cost and accessibility. According to incomplete statistics, globally, tens of thousands of people die from mountaineering-related incidents each year over the past five years. In 2009 alone, Japan reported 1,676 mountaineering accidents, resulting in 2,085 fatalities. Yet Japan is a developed mountaineering nation, and its government spares no effort in developing websites and providing information related to mountaineering. For example, the Shizuoka Prefectural Police, where Mount Fuji is located, operates a dedicated "Mountain Information Network." Japanese civil organizations also provide regular training for aspiring mountaineers. But even with such mechanisms and regulatory measures in place, the dangers of the mountains still "drag" adventurers into the abyss.
For China, where the mountaineering industry and its popularity are continuously growing, the number of annual fatalities from mountaineering is soaring. According to the "Mainland China Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Accident Report" compiled by the Accident Research Group of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, between 2001 and 2011, a total of 104 people died in mountaineering accidents in China, whereas in the 43 years from 1957 to 2000, the total was only 33.
Certified leaders are too scarce
Around 1998, China finally had its own outdoor clubs and outdoor gear stores. But after nearly 15 years of exploration, the survival model of Chinese outdoor clubs still seems to be stuck in the "Stone Age" due to a lack of talent development mechanisms, legal protections, and viable business models.
Surveys show that among Chinese outdoor enthusiasts, 60.2% have a college education, and 27.4% have education beyond college. In terms of income, 48.6% of outdoor enthusiasts earn between 4,000 and 5,000 yuan per month, while 19.4% earn more than 5,000 yuan. Age-wise, those between 20 and 30 make up 57.5% of the group. It can be said that young white-collar workers and highly educated individuals have become the main force among China’s mountaineering enthusiasts. Faced with increasingly fierce urban competition and worsening pollution, urban professionals are growing more eager to connect with nature and unwind. For city dwellers accustomed to fast-paced consumption, mountaineering offers the perfect combination of fitness, experience, self-guided adventure, and entertainment. Currently, these enthusiasts gather mainly at various outdoor clubs. But looking at the current state of these clubs, each faces its own set of challenges.
What does it take to train a certified leader? Xu Chao, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Mountaineering Association, said: "Issuing leader certifications requires training and assessment by the local mountaineering association. Shanghai currently has 36 registered outdoor clubs, but there are only about 20 certified leaders, a severely imbalanced ratio." Li Hui, a manager at Sanfo Outdoor Club, also noted, "Leader assessments are divided by level, and teams are assigned based on those levels."
Small groups "running jobs" for money
Currently, outdoor clubs mainly operate in two ways: The first type are clubs that also run outdoor gear retail stores. These primarily organize outdoor activities to build club popularity. The second type involves online-organized outdoor events. The costs for these are usually detailed in advance in activity plans, typically covering transportation, accommodation, equipment use, entrance fees, entertainment, insurance, and special activity fees. Costs for longer trips vary depending on expenses.
Veteran outdoor enthusiast Harry mentioned in an interview that different clubs have different starting points, leading to varied commercial outcomes. "Each club has a different management model. Those without physical storefronts or gear sales—just online clubs—sometimes can’t even cover costs relying solely on participant fees. They do it out of interest and passion." Li Hui added: "Because we have a physical store as support, but we still have to invest a lot of money each year to sustain our outdoor club. Relying only on trip fees wouldn’t even cover our leaders’ and staff salaries."
In terms of current accident rates, self-organized online group tours have the highest incidence. These trips often involve participants splitting costs (AA system), with no unified logistical support or guides. People explore freely based on their interests, often venturing onto unmarked or wild trails. Although in recent years, most accidents during hiking have involved independent travelers outside of clubs, there are also incidents involving small groups led by professional guides. Deputy Secretary-General Xu Chao commented that it all comes down to money: "In our industry and clubs, there are a few individual leaders who privately take money to lead small groups on 'jobs.' Though rare, this is something we must take seriously."
China’s “go-anytime” outdoor enthusiasts
For China, where the mountaineering industry and outdoor clubs are still in their infancy, how outdoor enthusiasts improve their risk awareness and prevent human-caused injuries during activities has become essential knowledge for participants.
In France, where mountaineering is relatively mature, there are over 3,000 professional mountaineers, along with schools specifically dedicated to training enthusiasts. Generally, in Europe and America, before attempting a first climb, one goes to a professional mountaineering training institution to assess physical fitness and health conditions. Additionally, one chooses a training provider or club for professional instruction, including how to avoid risks in harsh natural environments, how to self-rescue in case of accidents, and how to contact rescue teams. But in China, most outdoor enthusiasts casually assume that mountaineering is just about "going whenever you feel like it," showing little awareness of their own abilities or the demands of outdoor activities.
For the vast majority of outdoor clubs, safety education is often just text in a trip plan, and when it comes to actual implementation, it mostly turns into dozing on the bus ride to the destination. At best, there might be a pre-trip meeting to discuss logistics—but currently, only clubs affiliated with universities or student groups seem to consistently hold such meetings.
For most outdoor enthusiasts, underestimating their own capabilities and overreaching often lead to danger. To address this, Sanfo Outdoor Club has implemented a pre-screening system for participants, evaluating them based on route intensity and seasonal factors. Harry, a long-time Sanfo member, said: "The club assesses the risks of each route, and difficulty levels are categorized. These routes are chosen based on experience and familiarity—we prefer 'the known over the unknown.' For novice adventurers, we may recommend simpler routes and provide extra gear for protection." In interviews, nearly all outdoor clubs stated they purchase insurance for participants, but the coverage is usually limited to the cheapest short-term personal injury insurance. In Japan, for example, buying "mountain insurance" before heading into the hills is common sense. This insurance includes personal accident and rescue coverage, costing around 5,000 yen (about 400 yuan) annually. If an accident occurs during mountaineering or outdoor activities, the insurance company covers the costs.
In the mountaineering world, the debate over whether gear or personal skill matters more continues. But among professionals, for urbanites with limited outdoor experience, gear can be even more critical than knowledge or physical ability. Zuo Xingjuan emphasized that especially for winter climbs, gear is the most essential element. Veteran hiker Xiao Li also said he always checks his fitness and gear before every trip, regardless of season. After all, in the outdoors, the individual is small—and professional gear can be a lifesaver.
However, for the current state of the Chinese population, the popularization of mountaineering knowledge remains a top priority. Clubs like Sanfo have opened their doors to international experts, inviting foreign mountaineering authorities for lectures and professional evaluations. Last December, legendary Japanese mountaineer and world record holder for solo oxygen-free climbs, Namba Shingo, gave a talk in Shanghai. He warned outdoor enthusiasts: "Sometimes in mountaineering, you need to know when to give up."
Singular sources for rescue costs
In recent years, spontaneous civilian rescue teams have become the main force in responding to outdoor emergencies. However, the organization and funding of these civilian rescue teams remain overly singular.
Currently, most mature civilian rescue teams in China are affiliated with public welfare organizations or local Red Cross branches. The Green Field Rescue Team, which participated in the rescue of the Wuzhi Peak incident, is under the One Foundation founded by Jet Li, supported by social groups for funding, equipment, and resources. Hai Mao, captain of the Green Field Rescue Team, said: "Now some rescue teams operate under social affiliations, seeking public welfare sponsors, while others receive government funding. To avoid commercialization, clubs don’t cover rescue team costs. Newer rescue teams sometimes cover expenses themselves."
Zhang Zhijian, secretary-general of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, stated that mountain rescue should learn from Europe and America by establishing a shared funding model involving government, society, and individuals. In the West, mountain rescue associations handle regional rescue efforts—just in Los Angeles, there are seven rescue organizations. Of these, only two are government-run, while the other five are volunteer-based, yet they enjoy the same benefits as government teams. If an accident occurs in any national park, the government covers the rescue costs. But if the person violated regulations—such as entering a prohibited danger zone—the associated rescue costs fall on the adventurers. In Japan, civilian mountain rescues are very expensive: dispatching a helicopter for an hour costs 500,000 yen (40,000 yuan), plus labor fees of tens of thousands more. However, police will conduct initial free search efforts.
On the issue of whether individuals should bear rescue costs, Zhang Zhijian said: "Those who enter prohibited areas should bear more responsibility. The government’s primary role is to advocate for a regional management system and provide more services. It’s reported that the Chinese Mountaineering Association is promoting a standardized rescue system, led by government, supported by society, with volunteers as the backbone—while involving insurance companies to provide effective services, rather than leaving everything to the government."