Snow Treasure Peak, altitude5588meters. Located at 103.8° east longitude103.8°,and 32.7° north latitude32.7°. It lies on the southern section of the north-south extending Min Mountains and is the highest peak of the range. The mountain is located in Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. As the main peak of the Min Mountains, Snow Treasure Peak is one of the seven sacred mountains of the Bon religion in the Tibetan region, standing at an altitude of5588meters. Its Tibetan name is“Xiaxu Dongri”, meaning the Conch Mountain of the East, and it is the main peak of the Min Mountain Range.
Overview
Snow Treasure Peak, at an elevation of5588meters, is situated at 103.8° east longitude103.8°,and 32.7° north latitude32.7°. It is located on the southern section of the north-south extending Min Mountains and is the highest peak of the range. The mountain lies within Songpan County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture. As the main peak of the Min Mountains, Snow Treasure Peak is one of the seven sacred peaks of the Bon religion in the Tibetan region, reaching an elevation of5588meters and known in Tibetan as“Xiaxu Dongri”, meaning the Conch Mountain of the East. It is the principal peak of the Min Mountain Range.
To the southwest of the main peak lies the subsidiary peak Yuzan Peak, at an elevation of5119. The main peak of Snow Treasure Peak is surrounded by numerous high summits; to the southeast of the main peak stand Sigengxiang Peak at an elevation of5359meters and Xiaoxuebao Ding Peak at5440meters. The four peaks each have distinct appearances. Below an altitude of5000meters on Snow Treasure Peak, the area is mainly rocky. Higher up, there is a saddle between the main peak and Sigengxiang Peak, with a slope of about30degrees. Above the saddle and up to the summit, the slope is roughly20degrees and consists of snow and ice. The southwestern ridge of Snow Treasure Peak features snow and ice slopes ranging from 5000meters below, with inclines between20and25degrees. The western side, due to glacial erosion, has exposed rock ridges, while the northwest part of the mountain mostly consists of bare rocks and steep cliffs.
1986In8, the Sichuan Mountaineering Association, together with the Japan Himalayan Mountaineering Association, formed a joint mountaineering team that successfully reached the summit of Snow Treasure Peak for the first time.
2013In the year8In [month], all members of the commercial activity organized by Chengdu Yan Yang Outdoor successfully reached the summit, with a total of22participants, including team members and support staff, summiting.
Approach Route
First, take a vehicle from Chengdu heading north along the Minjiang River, passing through Dujiangyan, Wenchuan, and Mao County to reach Songpan County town. The entire journey is345kilometers. From Songpan County town, enter Huotang via Shangniba Pass, then proceed through Sanchakou and Shangnamu to arrive at Bamo Temple Base Camp, covering approximately60kilometers. From here, you can climb directly from the southwest side.
Xuebao Ding, also known as Xuebao Ding, was referred to as Xuelan Mountain in ancient times and is called“Shar Dongri”in Tibetan, meaning "Eastern Seashell Mountain." It is the highest peak of the Minshan Mountain Range, with an elevation of5588meters. Located25kilometers east of Songpan County town, it lies within the southern section of the north-south extending Minshan Mountain Range, at the border between Dazhai Township and Huanglong Township. The main peak of Xuebao Ding is surrounded by numerous other high peaks, with about20square kilometers encompassing10peaks each exceeding5000meters in elevation. Xuebao Ding is divided into Greater and Lesser Xuebao Ding, with the Greater Xuebao Ding being the commonly referred to main peak.
Sangxue Mountaineering Itinerary
D1: Chengdu—Wenchuan----Mao County---Songpan---Shangnami Village (3300M)
Depart at9a.m., a6hour drive to reach Shangnami Village, stay overnight at a Tibetan home.
D2: Shangnami Village---BC (3300M-4200M)
After breakfast, set off on a light trek for approximately5hours to reach the base camp. Overnight atBC.
D3:BC (4200M)
The base camp arranges altitude acclimatization training and basic mountaineering technical instruction. Overnight atBC.
D4:BC---C1 (4200M-5100M)
FromBCtoC1, the full-day journey takes approximately5hours. Overnight atC1camp.
D5:C1---Summit push to---BC(5100M-5588M)
Depart fromC1, with a latest summit time limit of1:00 noon. After reaching the summit, return toC1camp for rest before descending toBC.
D6:BC---Return to Shangnami Village---Chengdu
After breakfast, depart with light packs to return to Shangnami Village, and arrive back in Chengdu in the evening.
Key sections
The snowy ridge stretches directly from5100meters to the summit, not steep, with a slope of about25degrees. When crossing, stay well away from the cornice on the north side of the ridge (it is best to maintain a distance of at least5(maintain a distance of more than [specific number] meters), and also be cautious of slipping southward (especially when descending).
Camel Back
Located at an altitude of5100meters, on the ridge leading to the summit, it consists of several camel hump-like rock protrusions. The highest point has a vertical drop of about7meters, with steep cliffs on both sides. It is a mandatory route to the summit, usually requiring route preparation. You can either traverse directly over the humps or sidle around them horizontally.
C1 Campsite
Situated on a ridge at around5000meters, due to terrain constraints, the number of tents that can be pitched is very limited (no more than4tents). Tents must be secured with ropes to prevent them from being blown away by strong winds. Snow usually ensuresC1water supply for most of the time.
Black Corridor
Located on a scree slope before reachingC1campsite, the slope is fairly steep,30~35°. Both sides are snow-covered zones, so extra caution is needed to avoid falling rocks.
Turtle Back
Located at approximately4200meters, it is a relatively steep small cliff. Sometimes there is running water in the middle, which can be climbed up carefully by hand. If carrying a heavy load, route preparation is required. Alternatively, you can bypass Turtle Back via the scree slope on its right side, though this route is longer.
Peak Features
The main peak of Baoding is surrounded by many high peaks. To the southwest of the main peak is the subsidiary peak Yuzan Peak, at an altitude of5119meters; to the southeast stands Sigui Xiang Peak at5359meters and Xiao Xue Baoding Peak at5440meters. The four peaks each have distinct appearances. Below an altitude of5000meters, Snow Baoding is mainly rocky. Above that, there is a saddle between it and Sigui Xiang Peak, with a slope of about30degrees. From the saddle up to the summit, the slope is about20degrees of snow and ice. On the southwestern ridge of Snow Baoding, below5000meters, the slope consists of20to25degree snow and ice. On the western side, due to glacial erosion, exposed rocky ridges are formed, and the northwestern part of the mountain mostly features bare rock and steep cliffs.
The snow line of Snow Baoding is at an altitude of about4700meters, and the main body of the peak is composed of Carboniferous limestone.4500Around [X] meters up is the alpine meadow zone,4000Below [X] meters lies dense primeval forest and shrubbery. The mountainous area is rich in precious medicinal herbs such as snow lotus and fritillaria, and the forests are also habitats for giant pandas and golden monkeys. There are numerous high-altitude lakes here, each with its own unique charm. On the northern side of the peak is the Huanglong Scenic Area, which stretches7.5[X] kilometers in length and1.5[X] kilometers in width, featuring especially distinctive natural landscapes and is hailed as“the "Fairyland on Earth"”.
Climate Conditions
The climate around Snow Mountain Peak (Xuebaoding) is humid and rainy. The dry season runs from10[Month] to4[Month] of the following year, while the rainy season is from5[Month] to9[Month]. Among these,7[Month] and8[Month] experience relatively less rainfall, making them ideal for mountaineering. In winter, the snow line is at an altitude of4600[X] meters, and in summer, it rises to5100[X] meters.
Geomorphological Conditions
Below an altitude of5000[X] meters, Xuebaoding is primarily composed of rock. The main body of the peak consists of Carboniferous limestone. On the southwestern slope of the main peak, glaciers hang below5000[X] meters, with slopes ranging between20[X] and25[X] degrees, extending for2[X] kilometers, and the width of the ice and snow cover is500[X] meters. On the western side, glacier erosion has exposed rugged rock ridges, while the northwestern slope mostly features bare rock and steep cliffs. Crystal minerals are also found among the crisscrossing stone forests and ravines. The northern side of the peak is the Huanglong Scenic Area. The eastern peak falls under the jurisdiction of Sier Township, Pingwu County.
Mountaineering and Pilgrimage
The best vantage point for viewing Xuebaoding is from the Xueshanliangzi Ridge along the Songpan (Panzhihua)-Pingwu Highway, offering a panoramic view spanning approximately30square kilometers. There is no fixed route to climb Xuebaoding, as the western, northern, and southern faces of the peak are all steep and treacherous. The eastern slope is comparatively gentler but still challenging to ascend.1986The mountain was opened to the public in [Year], and on8[Month]6[Day] of the same year, a Sino-Japanese joint mountaineering team became the first to conquer this virgin peak. Xuebaoding is also a sacred mountain revered by Tibetan people. Every year during6Month15and6month25are the pilgrimage period, when countless Tibetans, Qiang, and Han people come to worship.
Other Related
Xuebao Ding is called in Tibetan“Shar Dung Ri”, meaning "Eastern Sea Snail Mountain." The 1934 *Songpan County Annals* includes a poem praising it:
Xuebao Ding features steep terrain, with jagged peaks rising one after another. Its summit is perpetually capped with snow, resembling a towering pagoda, rugged and majestic — a spectacular sight. It is surrounded by ranges of mountains, each displaying their own grandeur. Notable ones include Dongzhilimi Mountain (elevation 5319meters), Dongri Qieju Mountain (elevation 5026meters), and Mendong Mountain (elevation 5020meters). The area it spans covers 160square kilometers. Above4500meters on Xuebao Ding, there is year-round snow cover, below which lies an area of scree fields where snow lotuses grow abundantly. Further down are deep gullies with sheer cliffs and precipices, as well as modern glacial striations.
The hanging glacier on the southwestern slope of the main peak stretches2kilometers long, with an ice width of500meters. Throughout its gullies and ravines are stone forests resembling dragons, phoenixes, lions, and tigers, along with deposits of crystal ore. The foothills are covered with lush forests, home to rare animals such as blue sheep and muntjacs. Springs from the mountain flow downward, forming over a thousand lakes and marshes, formerly known as the 108Seas. The lake waters are azure blue, shifting unpredictably with the clouds and sunlight. Hence, there are wonders such as the“Sea of Dawn,”Emerald Glow at Dusk,“Guanyin Sprinkling Water,”Water Curtain Cave,“Phantom Cave Sunlight,”and others. Around the main peak lie Four Seas: the Round Sea to the southeast, the Square Sea to the southwest, the Half-Moon Sea to the northwest, and the Triangular Sea to the northeast. The Round Sea is like a bright mirror, the Square Sea resembles a city wall, the Half-Moon Sea looks like a crescent moon, and the Triangular Sea reflects like a golden pagoda.“According to the Sichuan News Network”year“The Sun Rises in the Magic Cave”……Awaiting other wondrous sights. Encircling the main peak are four seas: the Round Sea to the southeast, the Square Sea to the southwest, the Half-Moon Sea to the northwest, and the Triangular Sea to the northeast. The Round Sea is like a bright mirror, the Square Sea resembles a city wall, the Half-Moon Sea looks like a crescent moon, and the Triangular Sea is like the reflection of a golden pagoda.
According to Four News Network2012Year12It was reported in [month] that, upon approval by the Document No.[(2012)Guo Sheng Quan Zi4of the People's Republic of China Man and Biosphere National Committee,]Sichuan Xuebao Ding National Nature Reserve was officially admitted as“a member of the China Biosphere Reserve Network”(CBRN).
The China Man and Biosphere Network(CBRN)was established in1993. The establishment of biosphere reserves emphasizes integrating the improvement of local residents' livelihoods, economic development, social progress, and ecological environment conservation within and around the reserves. This approach aims to identify a model that can both protect natural and cultural resources and promote sustainable socio-economic development. This reserve network will correspond with the UNESCO International Man and Biosphere Reserve Network, dedicated to international cooperation, personnel and information exchange, and introducing new technologies to enhance the functions of biosphere reserves.
Pathfinder Trail, an outdoor adventure and self-driving travel website.