Huan Huan | Become an outdoor leader

December 9, 2024

"For an outdoor guide, the most important thing is to lead guests into the natural world that is familiar to us. Knowledge comes second. Only when you immerse yourself in it and feel the beauty of nature can you pass it on to others. "

This summer I got a part-time job as a tour leader for Cangshan Hiking Home, mainly leading light hikes and stream tracing. When I am outdoors with the tourists, it is not my daily job, I am just myself. I enjoy this relaxed state, so even though I am really busy, I will try my best to arrange time to lead the group whenever I receive a job.

The first time I led a group independently was the "6+ Taoxi River Tracing". There was only one guest that time, 13-year-old Shishi. On the way, he talked to me about nature, insects and science very quickly. His mind was so fast that I often couldn't keep up. Some stones on this route contain mica minerals, which happened to be of great interest to him. It would be a great sense of accomplishment if the homework I did in advance for leading the group could be used in the process. On the way back, it started to rain heavily in the mountains. Shishi's hands and feet were agile and quick, so he led me out. It was a very special first experience of leading a group.

When hiking, guests often run out of energy during the initial strong climbing phase. I recall the time when I was a beginner hiking a year ago. Because my heart is naturally large, my heart rate rises very quickly, around 170 or 180. When it is very painful and I can’t breathe, I will naturally retreat and want to give up. However, I use willpower to overcome this phase and my body will recover quickly after adapting to the rhythm. Understanding the process of the body’s self-healing and adaptation is challenging and fun in itself. When I share this experience with guests to encourage them to challenge themselves, I am also reviewing my own growth. ‍‍‍‍‍

This year I hiked Yubeng/Cangshan Foding Peak/Cangshan Lotus Peak/Shangri-La Tiger Leaping Gorge/Baoshan Stone City/Lijiang Anaguo/Nanjiluo/Jizushan Pilgrimage Road/Cangshan Xieyang Peak... and several hiking routes of Cangshan. The first time I climbed 700 meters in altitude, it took 9 hours. I cried when I saw the icy lake.

The team leader Wangwang's girlfriend Lao Hu told me that the body is very magical. When your physical strength reaches its limit, your limbs will bypass the brain to command, and your hands and feet will instinctively move forward to find a foothold, and the body will naturally follow up~ This is very magical, you can try to feel it too. ‍

Wangwang is my fellow villager from Wenzhou. He has lived in Tibet for many years and is in very good physical condition. He always leads the team with a sense of ease and calmness. He also has a wealth of knowledge about the vegetation of Cangshan Mountain and is a very good leader. When talking to him about hiking, he said:

When I am hiking long distances, I often say in a voice that only I can hear, "Come on, come on, you can do it!" Then I achieve small goals one by one. In addition to the mountain itself, each challenge also deepens my understanding of my physical fitness and makes me the master of my body.

Since we’re talking about the Huanque Road meal, here are some photos to reminisce about the joy and satisfaction of a picnic on the top of the mountain!

(Photo taken by: @Photographer Cheng Chang· Lijiang Anaguo)

This year I have been working hard to balance work and life. I often come back home from the mountains at one or two o'clock, and get up at six or seven o'clock to go to the store to work. The effort and reward are equal. My body is getting lighter and lighter, and I am more and more confident. Perhaps it is the deep confidence gained from conquering one mountain after another that gives me the motivation to solve work problems.

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In the magical world of nature, we are especially insignificant. If you cannot overcome a problem, try another way. If you cannot figure something out, stop thinking about it. Throw yourself into the mountains and leave your worries outside. Everything will slowly get better, or in other words, all the bad things will pass.

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Eat well, drink well, and just walk.

【Sharing of personal experience related to hiking:】

1. Commonly used route APP: 2bulu/maps.me

2. Road meal choice: Huanque hahahahahahahaha, the bagel sandwich we make is simply the best road meal, no exaggeration‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍

3. The weight you carry during long-distance hiking should usually not exceed 20%-25% of your body weight. Reducing weight can help you walk farther, faster and more comfortably.