4 tourists got lost while taking a shortcut in Jingyuetan and nearly suffered from frostbite

　　On January 28, four middle-aged tourists went hiking in Changchun Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Unexpectedly, taking a shortcut led them astray. Their legs became numb from the cold, leaving them unable to descend from the mountaintop. They had no choice but to ask nearby firefighters for help.

　　At 10:56 a.m. on January 28, the Jingyue Branch of the Changchun Public Security Bureau Firefighting Detachment received an emergency call reporting that four hikers were trapped in Rose Valley within Changchun Jingyuetan National Forest Park and were unable to descend. They urgently needed rescue. The firefighting department immediately dispatched an emergency rescue vehicle and six officers to the scene.

　　The four trapped individuals were all middle-aged—three women and one man, all around 50 years old—and had been stuck at the mountaintop for a long time. The temperature that day had dropped to minus 18 degrees Celsius. By the time the firefighters arrived, the four tourists were huddled together, frozen and immobile. With a cliff drop of about 20 meters and snow covering the mountain, their situation was extremely critical.

　　The firefighters brought professional rescue equipment such as safety ropes, harnesses, and rescue slings. They secured the stranded tourists with double waist knots and double wrap double fisherman’s knots before beginning the rescue. Within 20 minutes, the four trapped tourists were successfully brought down.

　　According to the four tourists, they were all from Changchun and often visited Jingyuetan. This time, in an attempt to save time, they ventured into the mountains carrying trekking poles and other gear, hoping to take a shortcut. However, they got lost. The extreme cold numbed their legs, making it impossible to walk, and they found themselves unable to descend from the cliff edge. They then called for help from the fire department. Fortunately, after examination, all four hikers were found to be unharmed.

　　In recent years, media reports have frequently covered cases of hikers getting into danger due to unauthorized trekking. Although scenic areas do not charge for rescuing trapped individuals, hikers should still act responsibly—for their own sake and that of others—and avoid blind exploration.

　　According to lawyers, China’s "Regulations on Nature Reserves of the People’s Republic of China" stipulate that entering prohibited areas without permission can result in fines ranging from 100 to 5,000 yuan per person, imposed by the scenic area management committee. Moreover, if a hiker enters a restricted area against regulations and the scenic area has fulfilled its duty to warn visitors, any resulting personal injury is deemed the fault of the explorer, and liability rests entirely with the individual.

　　The firefighting department reminds outdoor enthusiasts not to enter rarely visited or undeveloped areas without proper knowledge of the terrain. Changchun Jingyuetan National Forest Park covers a vast area with dense forests, deep snow, and numerous cliffs. Many parts remain undeveloped, and it's easy for people to get lost. Once communication is lost, the risk of accidents increases significantly. To ensure personal safety, avoid taking shortcuts or entering these areas without authorization.

　　Our newspaper also reminds outdoor enthusiasts: when engaging in outdoor activities, carry complete gear, plan your route in advance, avoid particularly dangerous areas, and design your itinerary based on factors like the fitness level and age of participants—especially in winter, when proper cold-weather protection is essential. Bring high-calorie snacks like chocolate, avoid venturing into rarely traveled regions, stick to your planned route as much as possible, ensure your communication devices are fully charged, and be prepared in case you need to call for help in the wilderness.