ALPINE trekking and climbing are increasingly popular among young Chinese but experts warn that they need proper preparation and the right attitude - it's about the journey, not the summit. Zhuomin Lee reports.

China is home to some of the world's most challenging rocks and peaks, offering a grueling yet unparalleled surrealistic experience for the adventurous. Untamed terrain and punishing weather conditions en route to the top have always attracted throngs of adrenaline seekers hailing from far and wide.

In the recent years though, more and more Chinese people are also beginning to taking up the extreme challenge alpine trekking has to offer.

Small starts, big wins

Xu Ying, 26, remembers everything about her most difficult hike to date, a snow-capped mountain in southwest China's Sichuan Province, around 4,000 meters above sea level - except its name.

"It was rainy and snowy, I was cold and miserable. Conditions were so bad, there wasn't even a proper path," she recalls of the June 2011 trek.

She shudders at the memory of so-called guesthouses in some of these underdeveloped areas, piteous structures assembled from planks of wood. Toilets are a mere hole in the ground. Yet the novice trekker concedes brightly that she would do it again because the arduous journey gave her an immense sense of achievement, even though she did not make it to the summit.

Her marketing executive boyfriend, Dong Hao, enjoys climbing and trekking so much that he goes back to nature every two months.

"Mountain climbing is addictive," he explains. "There is this unexplainable sense of reverence for Mother Nature that offers a respite from the everyday chaos of city life."

The pair modestly considers themselves amateur after only five years of climbing.

They represent a growing number of young Chinese people who are becoming drawn to adventure travel and alpine trekking.

"Mountains in China have always had great cultural and spiritual significance for Chinese. Most of our clients are foreigners, but in the last two years we have received quite a lot of Chinese clients," says Joan Elizalde, manager of Yejo Travel in Shanghai.

Trekkers say people who have had a taste of adrenaline seldom look back and come back for more of the same in alpine settings. They typically start with leisurely hikes with friends, enjoy the experience and develop an appetite for more extreme exploits, such as those found in the Tibet Autonomous Region, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. With each expedition, they become more deeply committed to challenge themselves with something bigger the next time round.

Around Shanghai, weekend beginner treks take climbers to Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province, Niutou Mountain south of Hangzhou and other peaks. These climbs are not big expeditions and climbers can build skills with a few friends.

"Climbing is also a great social activity and opportunity to build and cultivate relationships," adds Elizalde, who often insists that his organized groups should be a healthy mix of locals and foreigners for sake of cultural exchange.

For safety reasons, there are always at least three people in a climbing group.

Safety first

Despite its rising popularity, alpine trekking has risks. In less-populated areas, some independent Chinese climbing teams often neglect to obtain a climbing permit from the local mountaineering association. The procedure may be inconvenient, but it is necessary in case of emergencies when rescue or evacuation are necessary.

In a country where quantifiable results and achievements are highly regarded, many Chinese have the misconception that reaching the summit is the only thing that matters.

New climbers often insist on finishing a climb, despite ominous weather, clear signs of storms and treacherous terrain. Sometimes, in blind pursuit of their goal, they overestimate their skills and endurance and put their own and the teammates' lives in danger. Most fatalities occur because of over-confidence and a lack of safety awareness.

"It is important to have the right attitude during climbing - you have to observe your own stamina and the environment, and then decide if you should continue or descend," advises professional climber He Chuan. The brand ambassador for outdoor sports apparel label, The North Face, has been climbing for 10 years. He doesn't always make it to the top.

"Safety should always be at the core of the team," He adds.

He recalls that he suffered a painful bone fracture of his left leg while he was descending 5,400-meter Pomiao Mountain in Sichuan Province. Provisions were low and help was nowhere near. He gritted his teeth and made it down to base camp with the help of his teammates.

Most recreational climbers scale between 2,000 and 5,000 meters above sea level. Beyond that, different preparation is required. Physical fitness, technical knowledge and prior experience are just part of the package of skills required for more demanding expeditions.

This is especially so when attempting Himalayan peaks. On such expeditions, it is not always the most skilled climber who reaches the summit. In addition, height is less of a challenge than the complexity of the route.

"Dealing with the high altitude is what makes these climbs hard. Knowing how your body responds to high altitude is not a skill you can learn in a course, but something you find out through true experience," says Arnold Coster, a professional guide who has successfully led eight expeditions to Mt Everest (Mt Qomolangma in Tibetan) from both Tibet and Nepal and reached the summit.

There's no standard of how many years and what kind of climbs make one an expert. The North Face, on its website, observes that a typical expert should be trained in leadership, chart-reading, navigation and first-aid skills, at the very least.

Even the pros are at the mercy of the elements and geography, however, and some never make it home.

Fatalities

In June 2012, 10 independent travelers from Shanghai got stuck in a remote mountain valley in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, when torrential flooding swept all 10 away. Two men died.

Last December, two climbers lost their lives on Beijing's Wuzhi Peak, a formidable and very popular trek in winter, despite sub-zero temperatures.

According to news reports, one of the victims was the expedition's assistant guide, a highly experienced and physically fit 25-year-old who had just completed his leadership training course. The other casualty was a 30-year-old trekker.

It was a classic case of failure to read the danger signs and overestimating physical capacity and endurance.

That day the weather was bad, with heavy snow, temperatures below minus-30 degrees Celsius, visibility of only 50 meters. Most of the team turned back, but the assistant and one trekker thought they could continue and make their way back. They left most of their packs mid-mounting, intending to collect them later.

They had only their communication devices. By mistake, the returning hikers took those packs back down the mountain. The two trekkers lost they way back in heavy snow. Rescue was hampered by bad weather.

"You have to keep in mind that climbing is an outdoor sport. Technology and support can't cover everything. It's important to keep your mind open for changes and not always do what everybody else is doing," says Coster. "Here, it is definitely beneficial to have experienced leaders who have good local knowledge, know-how on handling equipment and know how to negotiate unchartered territories."

The journey, not the destination

In a high-risk activity, knowing how to concede defeat to the unpredictable wilderness is crucial. It can be learned, though some people never learn. It is not failure - what the Chinese call ban tu er fei (literally giving up halfway), which has the negative connotation of losing heart before reaching a goal.

"It is about learning how to let go," says Pan Jiahua, a 27-year-old supply chain executive in Shanghai. For her, the value in the ascent also lies in the mental journey of self-awareness and independence, as she spins herself into a cocoon of solitude during the climb.

The effort does not go to waste, it's considered a small price to pay for a new perspective on life.

Besides cultivating perseverance, endurance and character-building, mountain climbing also makes people aware of the natural environment and wildlife and the need for preservation and sustainable development.

"Eventually it brings about an awareness of how the lifestyle choices we make always have a consequence on the environment," says Elizalde.

To find a community of climbers, check Hikers Home (www.hikershome.com) or the North Face, China (www.quyeba.com).

Safety rules ignored

IN recent years, a number of independent Shanghai adventurers have gotten into trouble in the wilderness and a few have died. Most of them broke safety rules.

In June 2012, 10 independent travelers from Shanghai got stuck in a remote mountain valley in Wenzhou when torrential flooding swept all 10 away. Two men died.

In a more "famous" case in December 2010, a policeman died while trying to rescue 18 Shanghai tourists, including 14 students or former students from Fudan University, who lost their way on Yellow Mountain in Anhui Province.

They were on a weekend trek in an undeveloped area closed to tourists. They were caught in torrential rains and lost their bearings, though they had food and tents. They and their parents called for help. The policeman volunteered and fell down a cliff as he was escorting the group home.

In July 2010, a university student got lost in Cangshan Mountain in Yunnan Province when he was traveling alone. He was found dead two weeks later.

In August 2009, three Shanghai tourists drowned in rapids in Luxi Gorge in Zhejiang Province.

A few basics

? Before embarking, consult a medical professional if you have health concerns.

? Listen to your guide on safety procedures.

? Have the right attitude: Reaching the summit is not the only worthwhile goal.

? Prepare well in advance. Be physically fit, wear comfortable trekking shoes or boots, warm waterproof windbreakers, take at least 1.5 liters of water and a first aid kit. And that's just the beginning.