During the climbs, some members have shown great talents. In July 2004, Asan and Su Zixia, as representatives of the China Agriculture Univ. Climbing League, took part in the International Climbing Festival for College Students held in the Xinjiang. Along with young people from all over the world, they conquered the Mt. Muztagh-Ata, which is 7546 meters high and reputed as the "Icy Mountains' Father". In this February, they stuck the flag of China Agriculture University on the top of the Peak Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.

Marching towards the snowline

Click here to see more of their photos at Mt. Muztagh-Ata

Asan is a sophomore in the China Agriculture Univ. and a sunny Tibetan boy from Yunnan Province who is a little shy. Just returning from Mt. Everest, he is the most experienced member in the Climbing League.

He spoke in a slow, thoughtful way, but his words deeply impressed every one in the studio.

For him, the most remarkable moment during climbing is not when you put your feet on the mountain top, but the process of heading up.

Su Zixia once wrote an essay about the Asan, her good friend. In her eyes, Asan is a kind and warm-hearted buddy. She wrote:

I wonder what I should use to compare Asan with. Yak? Snow Lotus? Ebony? Yaks are hard-workers; snow lotus symbolize innocence; and the ebony is tough. Frankly speaking, I would like to compare Asan with the mountains, but if so, I'm afraid he will get mad at me, because for him, the mountains are holy. They're our teachers. As long as we go close to the mountains, we will learn a lot and become more mature...

Su Zixia, is a small-figured girl from south China's Guangdong province who you would never believe is an experienced climber.

Is mountain climbing more difficult for girls? How has she convinced her parents to let their daughter risk her life?

Su Zixia is very grateful to her understanding parents who have allowed her to pursue her dreams. She is also grateful to other people who have helped and encouraged her.

               
The climbing league's school journal

Zhang Haifeng is the current captain of the Climbing League. The league members describe him as a trustworthy, creative and dependable person always with a look of "lost in thought".

With his management, the Climbing League is no longer simply a student club, but has become a warm family where the members can benefit not only in body building, but also in their studies and life.

To highlight the "league spirits" and to attract more schoolmates, the Climbing League has issued a journal titled "Snow Line" to introduce themselves and record each steps they’ve undergone. In the journal, the young climbers express their deepest love toward climbing with the most beautiful language. Reading their articles, we felt as if we were with them on the steep slopes of the snowy mountains. Every step forward is difficult but totally worth it.

You can reach them on www.cau.edu.cn/5454. 5454 is the height of the Second Peak of the Four Girls Mountain they've conquered three times.

If you wanna know more about these brave young climbers, please send an e-mail to dengshanshe@yahoo.com.cn, and log on the Travel Channel at www.crienglish.com to see the amazing pictures taken by them on the snow-capped mountains.

Share your comments or travel experience at our forum Talk China

(CRIENGLISH.com)

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