Summit meetingAbout one month ago on May 29, mountaineers from around the world assembled at the foot of the Himalayas and formed special teams to climb Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first human ascent.
Two months later, a special mountaineering team comprising college students will set off on an expedition to climb another snow-capped mountain in Tibet during their summer holiday. If the attempt is successful, it will be the 11th mountain the team has conquered in its 10-year history.
The trip has been organized by the Tsinghua Mountaineering Team, an amateur mountain climbing team mainly comprising students at the university.
As one of the pioneer universities approving outdoor sports activities, mountaineering and rock climbing commenced in 1990 among students, which led to the formal founding of the team four years later.
The team has successfully distinguished itself as an active leading amateur mountaineering organization with an admirable list of conquests. And the annual summer expedition to climb various natural peaks has become a tradition that is regarded as an exclusive honour.
This time the team plan to conquer Samdain Kangsang mountain - the middle section of the Donggula Mountains in Tibet with an altitude of 6,590 metres.
Its is incomparable to the Himalayas yet Samdain Kangsang is one of the 25 highest mountains in Tibet and is respected by local people for its religious significance.
The snow mountain receives many pilgrims each year although this summer the pilgrims will be from Tsinghua with a different target in mind.
"The climb is a dream trip for us as we travel along the roads of our lives. We choose mountains to celebrate our youth while our peers enjoy spending time playing computer games or watching TV," said team member Wang Jinpeng.
It is easy to say but hard to do. The road is filled with hardships rather than romance and is only accessible for the well prepared. For an amateur student climbing team, the relative lack of systematic training, experience at high altitude and bottomless financial support always challenges their confidence in the team's climbing ability.
Sometimes these factors can be fatal. Last year, another climbing team from Peking University, which also comprised college students, was hit by an avalanche when climbing in Tibet. Five students were killed in the accident, causing a nationwide debate over whether climbing activities should be open to students.
"People will certainly link safety and our climbing trip with last year's tragedy. We understand that and we have prepared thoroughly," said Wang.
Preparations started nearly half a year ago. After months of heavy training, all 15 team members believe they are fully prepared both mentally and physically for the challenges they will face. "We are required by China Mountaineering Association to hire a local climbing guide. We will also take a satellite phone with us in case of emergency," Wang emphasized.
The team will leave for Tibet on July 7. Despite the preparations, no one can be one hundred per cent sure about what will happen. But uncertain difficulties along with the natural menace of the mountain has steeled the resolve of the climbers.
"No one can deny climbing is a dangerous sport. However, the joy of conquering a mountain is so attractive to climbers. British climber George Mallory once memorably explained why one would attempt to climb a high mountain - Because it is there," Wang said.
"That's the reason. And we'll be there, too."
