Snow-covered, undulating, majestic, and bone-chillingly cold... Snow-capped mountains thousands of meters above sea level are serene and mysterious, beckoning adventurers. Zhang Xianghai, a 34-year-old who is passionate about these peaks, has been packing his bags and heading for the mountains every year for the past four years. Qinghai’s Yuzhu Peak, Tibet’s Nyainqentanglha Peak, Yunnan’s Haba Snow Mountain... all have borne witness to his footsteps. As the boss of a software company with assets worth millions, Zhang sees mountain climbing not just as conquering peaks but as challenging himself. Around him is a group of fellow mountain enthusiasts—also bosses and executives of companies. Outside of work, they’ve become die-hard fans of the snowy heights.
Changing the way I live
From bars to the great mountains
Tibet’s Nyainqentanglha Peak, Qinghai’s Yuzhu Peak, Sichuan’s Tianhai Mountain... No large potted plants, no calligraphy or paintings by famous artists—the only decoration in the office of Zhang Xianghai, general manager of a software company, is a photo of a vast snowy landscape. At 1.75 meters tall and often seen in T-shirts, the first impression Zhang gives is one of efficiency and boundless energy.
“In July, I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa!” Zhang says with a smile. This is his ninth goal since falling in love with mountaineering. His connection with the mountains happened purely by chance. Before China’s National Day in 2007, he chatted online with a client and asked, “Where are you going for the holiday?” The client sent back several scenic photos and a route map.
“That was the Genie Snow Mountain in western Sichuan. It was so beautiful, I was instantly captivated,” Zhang recalls. That spark of interest quickly turned into action, and he signed up to visit Genie Snow Mountain.
“This is another way of life!” Before this, his idea of leisure was hitting the bars. “I knew drinking wasn’t healthy, but for a long time, I couldn’t break free and kept indulging myself,” Zhang says. However, after that one mountain-climbing trip, “my leisure life completely changed—from bars to the outdoors, to the snowy peaks. I transformed from a ‘night owl’ into a ‘child of the sun,’ and my lifestyle was completely overhauled.”
First summit
Stopping every ten steps
After returning from western Sichuan, Zhang began receiving professional mountaineering training. Squats, endurance runs, push-ups, and learning to use equipment like ropes, ice axes, and snow stakes. His previous nightlife gradually faded from his world. “After exercising, I even sleep better,” Zhang says. “Back then, I lost over ten kilograms in a short time—I became so skinny my friends didn’t recognize me.”
On New Year’s Day 2008, Zhang stood atop the third peak of Mount Siguniang in western Sichuan. “That was my first summit. I had originally planned to climb the second peak, but on that day, only the team for the third peak was going.” After staying overnight at the base camp, Zhang and his team set off for the summit at 4 a.m. the next day.
“Walking on weathered gravel, I had to stop and take deep breaths every ten steps or so,” Zhang recalls. “The wind almost blew me away.” After more than three grueling hours, the team finally reached the pass. The emerging snow ahead suddenly jolted Zhang awake. “It was my first time reaching a summit. I was so excited, waving my arms and letting out a wild howl,” Zhang says. “My voice echoed through that vast, open sky—it felt amazing. One yell just wasn’t enough; I had to let it all out.”
Constant dangers
Dehydration followed by altitude sickness
The most breathtaking views lie atop the most perilous peaks, but getting there is no easy feat. “You have to overcome altitude sickness, strong winds, and many other challenges,” Zhang remembers. The most dangerous moment came last April when he and several teammates climbed Tibet’s Nyainqentanglha Peak. At over 7,200 meters, it remains the highest peak he has summited.
“There’s an old saying in the industry: ‘The closer the mountain looks, the farther it is,’” Zhang explains. On their ascent of Nyainqentanglha, because they took a non-traditional route and faced bitter cold, the final 150 meters took them a full hour. “We were all on the verge of breaking down.” Had any teammate suggested turning back, others might have agreed. “But luckily, everyone held on.”
“One of our teammates, exhausted, decided to descend early—but he took the gas canister with him.” Since water is scarce in high altitudes, climbers usually use gas canisters to melt and heat snow for drinking water. With only one canister left for the remaining four people, it wasn’t nearly enough. “On the way back, each of us needed four liters of water per day.” Yet, the four team members only had 800 milliliters of water in total.
Unable to replenish water from melting snow, Zhang suffered from dehydration and severe altitude sickness. “My heart was racing, I was conscious but unsteady on my feet, swaying with every few steps.” After drinking some water, Zhang pushed on, and his altitude sickness gradually improved.
Overcoming anxiety
Employees say he’s become more open-minded
Beyond battling nature, Zhang believes mountain climbing is more of a battle with oneself.
“Conquering a snow-capped mountain is actually about challenging yourself. In extreme environments, both your strengths and weaknesses are magnified, forcing you to confront your inner self and overcome anxiety and fear,” Zhang says. The same applies at work. “There are always various difficulties that wear you down. But after truly connecting with nature, I’ve become more composed.” Additionally, climbing requires teamwork—two or more people relying on and trusting each other to find solutions to dangers. “Isn’t it the same in the workplace?”
Back in the real world, Zhang has realized that many things aren’t set in stone—you can choose a work and life style that suits you. “Learn to simplify, learn to let go. Climbing, like work, is about persistence and knowing what to prioritize.”
Since 2008, over the past four years, Zhang has climbed eight snow-capped mountains across Qinghai, Tibet, and western Sichuan. The more peaks he’s conquered, the more he’s fallen in love with this extreme sport—and with the serene, mysterious mountains themselves. Everywhere he goes, he captures the snowscapes with his camera and shares them on QQ Zone and Weibo with friends.
Zhang’s mountain-climbing endeavors are no secret at the company. “His perseverance is truly admirable!” says Fang Zhu, the company’s vice president. Zhang has put a lot into his climbing, and colleagues fully support him. His determination serves as spiritual inspiration for the team.
“General Manager Zhang has become more open-minded and cheerful!” says Wang Jing, a veteran employee. Business hotline 966965 thanks Mr. Xiong for the tip.
Voices
What are the requirements for mountain climbing? As long as you have a good mindset and strong willpower, you can give it a try.
Zhang Xianghai said he joined a QQ group where all members are amateur mountaineers—over 30 in total, many of whom are company bosses or executives aged between 25 and 40. Normally, they exchange experiences and tips online.
“Mr. Zhang is a very determined person—he’s climbed snowy mountains eight times!” said Zhang Yue, a Tianjin native. Zhang Yue, who runs a club in Changsha, Hunan, is also Zhang Xianghai’s partner. The two met in 2009 while attending a “ice climbing” training course organized by the China Mountaineering Association.
Zhang Xianghai explained that although climbing snowy mountains is an extreme sport, it is essentially what people commonly refer to as mountaineering—just at higher altitudes and under tougher conditions. There are no special requirements apart from being in good health, undertaking some training, and purchasing the necessary gear. The most crucial thing is having strong willpower.
So what kind of gear is needed? Generally, you’ll need a sleeping bag, a moisture-proof mat, and a waist bag for carrying small items. “Climbing jackets and pants, quick-dry shirts and pants, quick-dry underwear, socks, and towels. Not for any particular reason—these items dry quickly after washing, so you don’t have to carry wet stuff the next day,” said Zhang Xianghai.
When camping in the wild, you’ll need to eat, so bring a stove, gas canisters, camping pots, and utensils. “Of course, pots can be replaced with aluminum lunch boxes that fit over military canteens.”
“Oh, and don’t forget glasses—they’re essential to prevent snow blindness. Sunlight reflecting off snow is extremely glaring,” said Zhang Xianghai. “Also, bring lip balm to prevent chapped lips; and sunscreen—don’t assume men can’t get sunburned. Climbing snowy mountains makes you very prone to sunburn, and when it happens, peeling skin layer by layer is excruciatingly painful.”
This report was written by reporter Chen Baofa and intern Zhang Qinxue.