Launched by the HowToTrip brand, the Snow Mountain Guardians Program advocates for safe climbing practices, mobilizes diverse stakeholders to care about China’s climbing environment, and promotes the growth of China’s mountaineering endeavors. On April 28, the HowToTrip brand assembled individuals from mountaineering, media, nature conservation, and the arts for a glacier exploration journey. The group traveled through Lhasa, Shigatse, and Dingri, ultimately reaching Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5,200 meters. Together, they witnessed and actively demonstrated the spirit of the Snow Mountain Guardians—“to protect life, protect nature, and protect dreams.”
Perseverance Shines a Light on Life
On the morning of April 29, the team first visited the Tibet Mountaineering School and toured the world’s highest-altitude museum—the Everest Museum—where everyone gained a deep understanding of the historical traces of human ascents on Everest. In the afternoon, Nyima Tsering, Principal of the Tibet Mountaineering School, along with members of the high-altitude rescue team, shared their experiences. Initially, Nyima Tsering faced great challenges in establishing the Tibet Mountaineering School but eventually succeeded with the support of the HowToTrip brand. Years of mountaineering and high-altitude rescue experience made Nyima deeply emotional when recounting the formation of the high-altitude rescue team. Establishing the team was as difficult as founding the school, but challenges did not defeat him. With strong backing from the HowToTrip brand, after years of dedicated development, the high-altitude rescue team was officially established last year, becoming China’s first official professional high-altitude rescue squad.
Like Nyima Tsering, WMA China’s first certified member, Sun Lingye, spoke about his own experiences and stories, driven by a desire to better protect life through a profound awareness of safety in mountaineering. Later, the on-site simulated rock-face rescue drill performed by the high-altitude rescue team gave everyone present a deep appreciation for the resilience and fragility of life during climbs. Life needs to be protected together; life shines because of perseverance.
Some members of the team, who flew directly from Beijing to Lhasa, experienced altitude sickness, but no one gave up lightly, because everyone understood the significance of this journey. Throughout the rest of the trip, although the altitude continued to rise, the team’s morale grew even stronger. The light of life shone brighter because of perseverance.
Guardianship—Finding Hope in Adversity
As the team advanced, they passed the beautiful Yamdrok Lake and the majestic Karola Glacier before arriving in Shigatse, then continued on to Dingri. Along the bumpy journey, with blue skies and white clouds overhead, Everest Base Camp drew ever closer.
On May 2, after overcoming altitude sickness, challenging road conditions, and a car tire blowout, the HowToTrip Snow Mountain Guardians team arrived at Everest Base Camp and visited the families of two Tibetan mountaineers in Qude Village, Zhaxizong Township. Ms. Liu Pingge, General Manager of the HowToTrip brand, stated that this visit provided everyone with a comprehensive understanding of the family situations and living conditions of Tibetan mountaineers. It further reinforced the importance of the over ten-year collaboration between the HowToTrip brand and the Tibet Mountaineering School. The brand hopes to protect the dreams of more Tibetan children and improve their lives through various means.
On May 3, the team witnessed a live rescue drill by the Tibet High-Altitude Rescue Team at Everest Base Camp. The drill included three scenarios: the use of a 3.5 kg high-altitude oxygen cylinder, hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment, and emergency assistance for those who lose mobility at high altitudes. Media representatives also participated firsthand, fully experiencing the meaning of protecting life and nature at high altitudes.
That day, the team also visited the famous Everest Cemetery. Professional mountaineer Kang Hua introduced the deceased buried there to the group. They came here for their dreams but were forever lost in the snow mountains. Due to the high altitudes of the accident sites or avalanches, most graves are empty, with only simple stone monuments bearing their names deeply engraved. Standing there in solemn silence, people felt both sorrow and awe. It was evident that beneath these modest tombstones, though no bodies rested, dreams were still pursued. Quietly, the team offered white khata scarves at the gravesites to honor and carry forward the spirit of protecting dreams.
At an altitude of 5,200 meters at Everest Base Camp, to prevent acute altitude sickness, the HowToTrip Snow Mountain Guardians team descended that day. This brave and arduous journey was the best embodiment of the Snow Mountain Guardians spirit. By putting the values of guardianship into action, it is believed that more people will join the HowToTrip brand in upholding the spirit of “protecting life, protecting nature, and protecting dreams,” and together focus on and advance the development of mountaineering in China.