"I exercise every day to maintain my physical fitness—the Altun Mountains are no joke," Lei Diansheng said5when discussing the May expedition to the Altun Mountains, sounding both excited and thrilled.
The blue sky, snow-capped mountains, glaciers,deserts,swamps, grasslands, lakes, rocky peaks, and wildlife… everything in the Altun Mountains captivates Lei Diansheng like a magnet. Known as "the Golden Mountain" in the Uyghur language, legends of gold mines have lured brave adventurers and gold prospectors. But Lei Diansheng is mining for dreams—his innate calling to explore and his deep longing for the outdoors. Several years ago, Lei Diansheng first faced the Altun Mountains but was forced to turn back due to harsh weather, tough natural conditions, and inadequate gear and support, leaving him with lingering regret. Lei Diansheng says this trip to the Altun Mountains is a "dream-fulfilling" journey. When Gore offered to support Lao Lei’s trek through the Altun Mountains, he immediately began preparing for the expedition.
Lei Diansheng’s first step was to build up his stamina. In addition to exercising daily and engaging in light physical activities, he often goes mountain climbing, enduring5hours of strenuous activity while still feeling full of energy: "The climate and environmental conditions of the Altun Mountains require thorough preparation, especially5at the beginning of the month when it’s still very cold."
Beyond that, equipment preparation was meticulous as well. In Lei Diansheng’s words, details often determine success or failure when facing harsh environments. Confronted with challenges like "strong winds," "low temperatures," "wetlands," "rocky terrain," and "thorny bushes," the ever-changing geographical conditions made a windproof jacket, hiking boots, and goggles essential items for his Altun Mountains journey. The Altun Mountains, where breathtaking scenery coexists with extreme weather, has long, frigid winters and short, windy, dry summers. The lowest monthly average temperature ranges from20°C to30°C below zero, with an ice and snow season lasting9months. Strong winds are common in winter and spring, with peak monthly wind speeds reaching
Now, the battle-hardened Lao Lei still prepares for his trip with the meticulous care of a novice, following the plan step by step. Lei Diansheng said frankly that with the support of Gore, equipment and logistical preparations are no longer obstacles to crossing the Altun Mountains. He just hopes to build up his physical stamina to meet the challenge of the Altun Mountains expedition.