On February 8, 2012, nearly 100 rescuers conducted a comprehensive search in the mountainous area near Jiankou of the Great Wall in Huairou District but still failed to find the missing man.
“Some people think they’re seasoned hikers just because they wear a windbreaker, but how many of them—or their families—fully understand the dangers and ruthlessness of outdoor activities? Many who treat the outdoors as mere recreation can’t handle the sudden onset of mountaineering disasters,” said “Iron Beggar.” With over three years of outdoor experience, he quit his job just past middle age to devote himself entirely to outdoor pursuits.
Regarding the frequent outdoor safety incidents in recent years, Iron Beggar said somberly, “Newcomers must learn from experienced hikers. Most accidents involve those who know little about outdoor activities.”
Gear Enthusiasts vs. Pragmatists
“The outdoors are full of dangers, and respecting nature is the best rule,” reads a line from the recently released 2011 China Outdoor Safety Accident Research Report. The report collected a total of 492 outdoor safety incidents in China for 2011, showing a significant increase compared to the 182 incidents in 2010. The report was compiled by the Beijing Blue Sky Rescue Team, with its captain “Yuanshan” serving as the chief editor. Yuanshan, a former People’s Armed Police soldier, worked at an intellectual property firm after retiring from the military before devoting himself to the Blue Sky Rescue Team in early 2009.
Speaking about outdoor safety, Yuanshan believes gear should never be underestimated. “Besides water, food, and clothing, you should even carry lighting equipment even during daytime activities. In the outdoors, you never know what unexpected situations may arise. It’s even better if you have a walkie-talkie or communication radio so you can send out radio distress signals,” he said.
“Dear friend, maybe you’re still young, or maybe you’re not young but still in good physical shape. So you look down on those gear enthusiasts, despising them from the bottom of your heart. Then you’re thinking the same way I did ten years ago. But I want to express my condolences to my friend and former colleague ‘Turkey.’ This guy was a gear enthusiast, but in 2004, while climbing Mount Yuzhu, he underestimated the importance of a good pair of gloves, got frostbite on his fingers, and had half of his middle finger amputated by a doctor in Xining after descending the mountain.” This is a passage written by hiker “Eagle” in a forum.
What role does gear play in outdoor activities? “Matchstick,” who has organized many outdoor events, said, “Gear is auxiliary; skills and experience are essential. Ideally, you’d have both, but newcomers shouldn’t be careless when joining activities. They should ask about the difficulty and intensity of the route. Don’t rely entirely on the team leader, nor solely on your gear.”
Iron Beggar told the author that gear is one of the key considerations when organizing an activity. “Weather, the physical condition of participants, the number of people, the route, and what kind of gear is needed for the environment are all factors to consider when planning an activity.” The most basic gear for hiking is “a suitable backpack and a comfortable pair of shoes.”
Specialized gear is indispensable for professional hiking teams. “Carrying less makes you lighter and saves energy—that’s what newcomers often think. Items like entrenching tools or hammocks aren’t something regular hikers would prepare for a mountain climb, but they can be lifesavers in critical moments,” said Matchstick. These items indeed saved the life of a “veteran hiker” during a climbing activity last year. On January 22, while trekking through Beiling Mountain in the suburbs of Beijing, a seasoned hiker broke his leg just 40 minutes into the trip due to slippery and steep snowy terrain. Team members used an entrenching tool to cut down two trees and fashioned a hammock into a stretcher, promptly transporting the injured man to a village at the foot of the mountain and saving his leg.
Experience vs. Complacency
One piece of information in the research report is thought-provoking: “The more experienced the hiker, the more likely they are to be involved in fatal accidents.” Matchstick believes, “Some routes are so familiar to veteran hikers that they become careless, and then they trip over their own feet.”
Additionally, complacency plays a significant role in outdoor accidents. Since trying out fresh, challenging routes is the mindset of most hikers, veteran hikers who consider themselves more experienced than others are especially prone to this. “But challenges also require a gradual process. Those who haven’t had accidents rarely think about what might happen afterward—there are many who rely on luck,” said Matchstick.
Taking off-trail routes allows you to see more stunning scenery and caters to hikers’ desire to push their limits. Yuanshan attributes accident-prone locations to “scenic beauty, treacherous terrain, large crowds, and varying levels of physical fitness.”
“You can’t avoid getting your shoes wet when you walk by the river often”—complacency among veteran hikers seems inevitable. But in professional hiking teams, experienced veterans remain crucial. Once an accident occurs, it’s their duty to quickly carry out self-rescue. Matchstick said, “We believe we’re capable of handling the rescue ourselves—the team has many experienced members.”