Peking University’s 2012 Jihua Mountaineering Team officially departed from Beijing West Railway Station at 7:00 AM on July 5th, Beijing time, heading for Chengdu, Sichuan Province, and then proceeding to Mount Que'er in Dege County to embark on a approximately 26-day mountaineering expedition.
A group photo of the main members of the team before departure.
Peking University’s 2012 Jihua Mountaineering Team was established on April 23, 2012, and is composed of 7 veteran members with mountaineering experience, 9 new members, totaling 16 climbers. Additionally, three highly experienced high-altitude coaches were hired as technical advisors. This year's target peak is Mount Que'er, which is located in the northern section of the Shaluli Mountain Range in western Sichuan. The main peak stands at an elevation of 6,168 meters, at latitude 31°47′ north and longitude 99°4′ east, situated in the southern part of Mount Que'er within Dege County. The entire activity is expected to last about 26 days, with the climbing period spanning approximately 15 days.
Prior to the expedition, the team successfully completed five weeks of physical training, as well as theoretical study and mountaineering technique training over weekends. In early May, all team members underwent a comprehensive medical examination at Qianfu Health Examination Center, ensuring they were physically prepared in all aspects. In mid-May, the team successfully passed the mountaineering defense meeting, and all preparatory work—including equipment, logistics, and medical supplies—received approval from instructors of the Mountaineering Association and the University Youth League Committee. On July 2nd, a press conference was successfully held at Peking University’s Yingjie Exchange Center, where friends and guests from various fields were introduced to the overview of the climbing activity.
Friends saw the team off at Beijing West Railway Station, with heartfelt blessings posted on the train windows.
The Peking University Mountaineering Association (also known as the "Eagles Club") was established in 1989 and is a renowned university outdoor club both within Peking University and across China. The association has continuously carried out mountaineering activities for 23 years without interruption, adhering to the principles of independent climbing and self-reliance. The team has successfully summited peaks such as Yuzhu Peak, Muztagh Ata, Geladandong, and Ningjin Kangsha. In 1998, during Peking University’s centennial celebration, the team reached the summit of Cho Oyu at 8,201 meters, marking the first time Chinese university students conquered an 8,000-meter peak. For many years, the Peking University Mountaineering Association has upheld the motto “With the heart of an eagle, aspire to the heights,” exerting a profound influence on campus culture and making significant contributions to the development of amateur mountaineering in China. It is recognized as a pioneer and role model for university mountaineering activities in China.
The theme of this mountaineering expedition is “Love Higher Than the Mountain.” The aim is to give back to local communities through climbing, expand the meaning of mountaineering, and reflect on the social responsibility of university students while ascending. Under the “Love Higher Than the Mountain” initiative, the team raised 8,942.8 yuan through on-campus donations, which was entirely used to improve student nutrition at the Volunteer Hope Primary School in Nanchong, Sichuan. In addition, the team’s sponsor, Jihua Outdoor, donated goods worth a total of 12,000 yuan to the school to enhance students' living conditions. Furthermore, the expedition will continue to uphold the climbing philosophies of “Zero Waste” and “Green Climbing.”
The climbing team's funds and clothing supplies are exclusively and fully sponsored by Jihua Outdoor. Here, all climbing team members express their sincere gratitude to Jihua Outdoor, as well as heartfelt thanks to other sponsors who supported various aspects of the project — Salewa, Qianfu Medical Examination, Lupinette, and GAO-TE. We wish this climbing activity a smooth and successful journey.