“Feb 4, 5:15 AM, so sleepy; 9:52 PM, oh my god, please don’t let me suffer from insomnia again tonight, it’s painful; Feb 5, 5:19 AM, still sleepy.” These were the final words posted by Liu Wen, an EMBA student at CEIBS, on Tencent Weibo. On Feb 5, the 37-year-old Liu Wen suddenly collapsed and passed away while participating in the “Silk Road” Gobi Desert Hiking Experience Race. According to informed sources, Liu Wen was an experienced hiker who had performed outstandingly in various previous cross-country and outdoor sports events, with no reported health issues.
“You must remember, humans are very small and insignificant; we must respect nature, respect life, and that is also respecting outdoor sports itself. Challenging oneself is essentially challenging the body’s limits, and that should not be done,” said Wang Xin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Mountaineering Sports Association, Head of the Events and Training Department, and Captain of the Mountain Rescue Team at the Ministry of Civil Affairs’ Emergency Rescue Promotion Center.
The incident earlier this February in which a female hiker trespassed on Mount Tai and got into danger served as a wake-up call for all seasoned hikers. Recently, the Tai’an Municipal Government of Shandong Province issued the “Notice on Strengthening the Management of Non-Tourist Routes into Mount Tai Scenic Area,” stipulating that those who enter the area via non-tourist routes without approval may face fines of up to 5,000 yuan.
Senior hikers should develop professional skills.
Senior hikers should develop professional skills.
The 2011 “China Outdoor Safety Accident Research Report” shows that the more experienced hikers are, the more likely they are to be involved in fatal accidents: “Their overconfidence gradually leads them into dangerous situations. In the outdoors, you never know when or where a hazard might occur — you must always be cautious and not let your experience lead to overconfidence.” “Xia Gang Nong Min” (a contributor to the report) believes that “outdoor enthusiasts lack adequate first aid knowledge and struggle to respond to sudden accidents, so more rescue training should be integrated into future outdoor activities.”
Regarding the claim that “the more experienced the hiker, the more likely they are to have an accident,” Wang Xin shared his perspective. “First, we need to define what ‘experience’ means. I think it’s more accurate to talk about skills. Those who have accidents may not lack experience, but rather have insufficient skill preparation and risk assessment abilities.” He attributes the accidents among seasoned hikers to “overconfidence.” “They think they’ve walked this route many times before, so there’s nothing to worry about,” he said.
Wang Xin said, “Professional outdoor sports demand higher technical skills, such as self-rescue and mutual rescue capabilities. For all outdoor sports enthusiasts, the risks posed by nature are the same.”
Additionally, Wang Xin reminded hikers to pay attention to the boundaries of scenic areas. “Most outdoor accidents happen outside the managed areas of scenic zones,” he said, because insurance and emergency systems within scenic areas are well-established. “Most accidents are caused by travelers not following the rules.”
Treat outdoor sports as a career with rationality.
Treat outdoor sports as a career with rationality.
“Some people make travel their lifestyle, while others are engaged in the education, management, and operation of outdoor sports. However, outdoor sports in our country are still in their early stages, so we must maintain a calm and clear mind and approach outdoor sports rationally,” said Wang Xin.
Outdoor sports originated in the Alpine regions of Europe, as well as from early exploration and scientific expeditions in Europe and America. It wasn’t until the early 1980s that outdoor sports were introduced to China from Western countries. Relevant data shows that in the early 21st century, outdoor sports in China experienced explosive growth, with the number of national clubs peaking at over 400.
“Tie Gai,” who has over three years of outdoor sports experience, quit his job just after turning 40 to focus entirely on outdoor activities. “What really attracts me is the mystery of nature and the pursuit of freedom — that’s the sentiment of most explorers. Being in the mountains makes me feel relaxed, with no mental pressure,” he said with a smile.
Wang Xin considers “outdoor sports as part of his life.” He said, “Everyone has a different understanding and view of outdoor sports, but I want to tell all outdoor enthusiasts: don’t try to challenge nature. Humans are as tiny as ants before nature, and we must maintain a heart of reverence for it.”
Is outdoor sports leisure or competition?
Is outdoor sports leisure or competition?
The “Silk Road” Gobi Challenge that Liu Wen participated in took place in the Gobi Desert of Guazhou, where Xuanzang once faced life-and-death trials. The area experiences extreme day-night temperature differences, strong winds with sandstorms, and severe drought. Participants hiked 112 kilometers over four days across the Gobi salt-alkali land with an average altitude of 1,500 meters, embodying the spirit of “perseverance to the end” like Xuanzang. However, this experiential race has been widely questioned and criticized due to Liu Wen’s sudden death.
For professional outdoor enthusiasts, is outdoor sports a form of leisure or competition? Wang Xin stated, “It can’t be simply categorized that way. We often organize competitions too, but we apply professional skills within them, using them as a form of competitive event.”
Challenging high-difficulty routes seems to be a common aspiration among most seasoned hikers. “Huo Chai,” who considers himself “experienced,” said, “The most challenging route I’ve taken was last winter’s hike up Mount Taibai. Also, routes like the Xiate Ancient Trail and Langta C Line in Xinjiang are famous in the circle, although I haven’t done the Xinjiang ones yet.” He admitted, “I guess every hiker dreams of becoming an explorer.”
The idea of hikers challenging their own limits is not inherently wrong, but it’s important to remember that “exploration is not recklessness. Exploration should be a scientific endeavor, and thorough preparation is essential,” said Wang Xin. “Also, I don’t like the term ‘hiker’ — it sounds untechnical. ‘Mountain friend’ or ‘outdoor enthusiast’ sounds better,” he laughed.