A Chinese female mountaineer who has climbed many 8,000-meter-plus mountains shared her experience and feelings with fans in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province, on Tuesday.
Luo Jing, born in Hengyang, Hunan province, in 1975, took up outdoor hobbies in 2002 and mountain climbing in 2007. On May 15, 2016, she climbed the world' highest peak Mount Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West.
On July 27, she successfully reached the Broad Peak, making her the first Chinese woman to successfully crest 13 8,000-meter-plus mountains, all in a span of six years. Earlier this year, she climbed to the top of Nanga Parbat on July 8 and Lhotse on May 20.
There are 14 8,000-meter-plus mountains in the world, and only one, the Shishapangma in Himalaya Mountains, Luo has not climbed. Luo was the first Chinese woman to reach five 8,000-meter-plus mountains.
She climbed the first 8,000-meter-plus Mount Manaslu in 2011.
"I was new at that time, and I followed my friend Yang Chunfeng to reach the top," Luo said. The success opened a door for her to more 8,000-meter-plus mountains.
Luo said she still has deep memories of 2013 when she spent two months climbing the Mount Kangchengjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, because of "the long process and tragic end".
The team had to return to the base after reaching about 8,000 meters because of many factors. They made another try three days later and 15 climbers reached the top on May 20, including Luo, the sole female climber.
However, one climber died on the peak and other four died when they slipped on their way back.
The accident left Luo in deep sorrow and she began to question whether to continue climbing or not. It was only when she heard a friend say "don't be trapped by outside fears" that she decided to continue.
On May 18, 2014, Luo reached the peak of Mount Dhaulagiri. On the peak, Luo looked at the remains of former victims. "My tears started streaming down. Anyone who loses their lives because of their dreams should be respected," she said.
Once, Luo and her teammates were trapped in an avalanche, and Luo was buried. "I was almost suffocating to death when instinct kicked in and I raised my right hand with orange glove high. Fortunately, my teammates found me and saved me."
"All these experiences have helped me grow, made me stronger and allowed me to think more rationally," Luo said.
She said she enjoys the process of climbing mountains, and during the process she learns to solve problems and grow.
"After climbing so many mountains, I realized that I did not conquer the mountains, but the mountains accepted me," Luo said.
