Exploration should be premised on reverence for nature, based on serious reflection about the meaning of life, and grounded in maximum risk prevention.
During the May flowering season, two tragic pieces of news emerged almost simultaneously: one involved two hikers, four porters, and one guide who encountered an avalanche while trekking through the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon—resulting in two deaths and two injuries. One hiker and the guide trekked for five days and nights to seek help, and rescue efforts are currently underway. The other incident involved seven university students from Tongling, Anhui, who collectively drowned in the Yangtze River near Taiyang Island, with five fatalities and one still undergoing treatment.
The passing of life always brings sorrow. We often think death is far away, only to realize it has been looming nearby all along when tragedy strikes. In the latter incident, the several university students likely saw it as just an ordinary short trip. Little did they know that seemingly ordinary daily life can conceal bottomless abysses. Ultimately, this is still the age-old issue of safety education and awareness.
However, fatal accidents during trekking expeditions raise additional points for reflection. Unlike the accidental deaths of the university students, trekkers knowingly face the dangers of exploration yet continue to embark on these journeys with enthusiasm. Behind this incident lies a long list of similar tragedies. Just in recent years, there have been notable cases such as the Fudan University Mountaineering Association’s mishap on Huangshan Mountain, hikers’ tragedies during the Ao-Tai traverse, and the unauthorized attempt to cross Siguniang Mountain by hikers during last year’s National Day holiday.
It must be acknowledged that exploration has its reasons for existence. The impulse to take risks is rooted in human nature. But it is also essential to recognize that “danger” is an inherent characteristic of exploration. The allure and significance of adventure largely stem from its unpredictability and lack of control. In the face of tragedies, the public often resorts to blaming the adventurers for acting “without approval” or criticizes the lack of outdoor exploration regulations. However, the nature of risk means that no measures can completely eliminate danger—only necessary restrictions can reduce reckless adventures and mitigate secondary risks when accidents occur.
We do not simply oppose exploration. But the frequent occurrence of exploration-related accidents reveals a core issue: our lack of proper understanding of the purpose of exploration activities. Deaths during exploration, unlike accidental drownings, often result from the individuals’ own choices. A common misconception is treating exploration merely as a way to relieve work stress and urban anxiety, without realizing that exploration should be premised on reverence for nature, based on serious reflection about the meaning of life, and grounded in maximum risk prevention. It’s important to remember that although life belongs to the individual, recklessly squandering it is immoral.
Before setting off, the hikers involved in this accident posted, “In nature, life seems so small—does success even matter?” Life is indeed small, and success may not matter, but it should not be entrusted to a casual goal—and that is what truly matters.