The 2012 KAILAS Siguniang Mountain Climbing Festival took place from October 3rd to 9th and received significant attention and support from many mountaineering and outdoor enthusiasts. Nearly 500 people registered for the event. According to the official statistics from the 2012 Siguniang Climbing Festival Organizing Committee, 120 people participated in the Shuangqiaogou Exploration & Camping Route during the festival. The ascent of Siguniang's Da Feng Peak was completed over two days, with a total of 120 climbers reaching the summit—67 on the first day and 53 on the second. For Er Feng Peak, a total of 70 climbers summited over two days, including 42 on the first day and 28 on the second. The festival enabled participants to get close to the snowy peaks and realize their dreams of climbing.
Part of the camping area at the climbing festival site
For years, the Siguniang Mountain Climbing Festival has been one of the most renowned and classic climbing festivals in China, known for its professionalism and rigor. Precisely for this reason, this year’s festival implemented multiple measures, such as strictly controlling the number of climbers, to ensure safety. While improving and perfecting all climbing services, the festival also significantly strengthened the professional rescue team—adding nearly 20 more professional guides than last year alone. In the eyes of the organizers, the foremost prerequisite for hosting an exciting and joyful climbing festival is safety—everything is for safety.
KAILAS climbing team member Zeng Shan giving a technical briefing before the climb
During the summit push, the organizing committee specially arranged multiple high-altitude emergency medical teams, including the Shenzhen Mountain Rescue Team, Guangzhou Blue Sky Rescue Team, and the Siguniang Mountain Administration Rescue Team, to monitor the physical conditions of all participants in real time. Those experiencing severe altitude sickness were assisted in descending quickly. A team of high-altitude chefs provided meal services for all participants at the Da Feng and Er Feng base camps. The high-altitude guide and support team, composed of experienced local residents, was diligent and responsible, paying close attention to every detail of the participants’ safety, helping them achieve their dream of climbing the snowy peaks.
Base camp of Er Feng Peak
This year’s festival also introduced the Shuangqiaogou Exploration & Camping Route for the first time. The camping site was located in the most scenic part of Shuangqiaogou and was exclusively open to participants of this climbing festival, allowing them to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in this earthly paradise. They gazed at the starry Milky Way, walked amidst romantic fields of flowers, and enjoyed a lively bonfire party, barley wine, Guozhuang dance, roasted whole lamb… countless ethnic-themed activities made for an unforgettable alpine night. Participants could also witness and photograph the magnificent sunrise and sunset in the highlands, experiencing an unexpected second life. In addition to many climbers successfully summiting Siguniang’s Da Feng and Er Feng peaks and fulfilling their snowy mountain dreams, a notable couple holding a romantic wedding ceremony at the summit of Er Feng Peak (at an altitude of 5,279 meters) drew considerable attention and brought the festival to its climax.
Numerous climbers successfully summiting Siguniang’s Er Feng Peak
Extraordinary Romance – A Wedding at the Summit of Er Feng Peak
The mountain music festival held in the rain during the climbing festival
The successful hosting of the 2012 KAILAS Siguniang Mountain Climbing Festival also served as a boost for the tourism development of the Siguniang Mountain Scenic Area. Its stunning landscapes and exciting programs will attract more and more visitors to this “Sacred Mountain of the East.” Beautiful Siguniang Mountain, an amazing climbing festival—let’s meet again next year.