URUMQI, China, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Tashbay Ganibek, a 23-year-old resident of Subash Village in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, proudly recalls his achievement last year of reaching the summit of Muztagh Ata, a 7,546-meter peak known as the "Father of Ice Mountains."
Muztagh Ata is a renowned destination for mountaineers worldwide due to its relatively gentle slopes and lower climbing difficulty, making it an ideal stepping stone for many climbers. Some enthusiasts also consider it a resort for ski mountaineering.
Tashbay lives with his family at the base of the mountain. As mountaineering gains popularity in China, he and his peers have turned their attention to the towering snow-capped peaks behind them. Living at high altitudes has given local herders exceptional physical fitness and endurance. Last summer, Tashbay and several young companions began working with mountaineering teams, assisting in setting up camps, supporting climbers, managing logistics, and providing transportation.
Their support is crucial to each climber's success on Muztagh Ata. The work is arduous, involving braving the harsh high-altitude environment while carrying supplies weighing up to 30 kilograms through towering mountain paths.
"Though living on the plateau, I've never carried such heavy loads and climbed so high," Tashbay said. "But I enjoyed the process, especially the sense of accomplishment when reaching the summit. It taught me how to face challenges."
The mountaineering season has become the highest earning period of the year for these young herders, changing their lives. Yin Hang, the first secretary of Subash Village, said the mountaineering boom on Muztagh Ata over the past two years has driven significant local economic growth, with nearly 60 villagers working in mountaineering-related jobs. The construction of a mountaineering town, with an estimated investment of 1.1 billion yuan (about 151.3 million U.S. dollars), is set to provide more job opportunities for the villagers.
Last season, Tashbay earned over 20,000 yuan, giving him the confidence to marry his girlfriend last October. "I used to think the mountain was just there. I never imagined mountaineering could bring me so much income," he said.
People from all over the country have also connected through their shared love of the mountain. "Many climbers from low-altitude areas suffer from altitude sickness when they arrive and just want to lie in their tents," Tashbay said. "I feel responsible for taking good care of them."
His reliability has earned him many new friends from elsewhere. During their downtime, the young people gather to share stories and learn about each other's cultures and customs. While his friends are amazed by his physical stamina, Tashbay is captivated by stories of life in big cities.
"Last year, a friend from Chongqing told me all about the city's hills, and he invited me to visit," Tashbay said. "It's a scene I've never seen, and I want to take my wife there someday."
Proud of his homeland's stunning scenery and its attraction to many visitors, Tashbay is determined to pursue a future in mountaineering. Like many young people, he often watches videos on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. Most of his content is related to mountaineering, and his fascination with snow-capped peaks continues to grow. He cherishes every training opportunity, diligently learning mountaineering skills and knowledge, and has already obtained a basic mountaineering guide certificate.
When the mountaineering season ended, the mountain returned to silence. "I always hope the next mountaineering season comes quickly to make here lively again," he said. ■
微信扫描下方的二维码阅读本文
