On February 2, the expedition team participating in the 2012 Ice Trek Across Qinghai Lake endured extreme cold, treacherous icy surfaces, and arduous conditions on the frozen lake. After more than six hours, they successfully traversed from the Erlangjian Scenic Area to Erhai on the eastern shore of the lake. While pushing their limits on the ice, the team members also marveled at the mysterious and stunning icy landscapes on the lake, leaving them with unforgettable memories for life.
The stunning icy landscapes on the lake were breathtaking.
Around 9:30 a.m. that day, the expedition team set off from the tip of Erlangjian and advanced eastward toward Erhai along the usually deserted icy surface. The large procession suddenly brought liveliness to the normally silent frozen expanse of Qinghai Lake.
As people ventured deeper into Qinghai Lake, reporters observed that under the influence of the wind, the snow on the lake’s surface transformed into ever-changing patterns, forming various designs on the flat ice. The ice itself took on bizarre and diverse forms, leaving observers in awe. In some areas, the ice was as smooth as a mirror, resembling a giant skating rink. In other spots, the ice had piled up into walls of various shapes, adorned with glistening icicles. The entire lake surface was crisscrossed with cracks, and among them, the unique “rivers” formed by the wind were especially astonishing—the widest of these “rivers” were nearly one meter across. At the breaks in the ice, the various ice formations were incredibly unique, while the lake water beneath rippled gently in the wind, creating a daunting sight that discouraged close approach.
Many team members told reporters that being in the vast embrace of nature and the pristine beauty of Qinghai Lake brought a profound sense of tranquility. In such an environment, people couldn’t help but reflect on life and ecology. Therefore, participating in such an activity was not only a great opportunity to challenge oneself, but also a chance to reflect on nature, the environment, and one’s own life—this is the true meaning of the event.
A Chinese daredevil completes a bare trek across the ice.
According to the event organizers, the activity attracted a large number of outdoor enthusiasts from within the province. However, due to limited spots, many were disappointed to miss out but stayed engaged by following updates on the official website. Among the participants, Beijing netizens Xi Yangyang and her daughter, along with Chinese daredevil Li Zhenjia, became highlights of the event.
Netizen Xi Yangyang and her daughter shared that they felt fortunate to take part in the event. Despite the physical exhaustion of the trek, the joy of challenging their limits was something they couldn’t have experienced otherwise. Their daughter was especially thrilled to add this adventure to her daily goal of walking 10,000 steps. Meanwhile, Chinese daredevil Li Zhenjia, who has repeatedly pushed his limits and achieved remarkable feats, successfully completed the 25-kilometer ice trek under bare conditions and without any food replenishment en route, once again setting a new record for human endurance against nature. That day, his effortless barefoot completion of the entire journey left many spectators in sheer amazement.
