Italian overseas Chinese youth -measure- the peak with their steps
In a recent interview with the China News Service, Kairen Guan, a 30-year-old Chinese expatriate living in Italy, opened up about his intense passion for mountaineering. “People often ask me why climbing means so much to me,” he shared. “I like to quote British explorer George Mallory: ‘Because the mountain is there.’ The peak’s allure, the ice and snow underfoot, and the stars overhead inspire me to reach the summit.”
Kairen grew up in Wenzhou, Zhejiang, before moving to Rome with his family as a child. At just 17, he launched his entrepreneurial journey by starting a clothing business. Before diving into mountaineering, he had no experience or training; however, a random video about climbing reignited his desire to conquer snowy peaks, leading him to summit nine mountains over 5,000 meters within just two years.
“The day after I decided to climb Mount Haba, I bought all my gear and flew to Yunnan the very next day,” Kairen recalled. He described the breathtaking journey as he ascended, witnessing the remarkable transformation of landscapes—from lush forests to meadows, rocky cliffs to snow slopes. Standing atop his first snowy peak was an unforgettable moment for him; the undulating mountains beneath a blanket of clouds felt like being in the presence of a sleeping giant poised for awakening.
Reflecting on his most challenging climb, Kairen remembered a terrifying experience on Langge Manin Peak in Sichuan. “At 6,100 meters, I suddenly felt numb and weak, overwhelmed with the urge to lie down. I told my guide to continue without me, but his persistent encouragement helped me take tiny steps down. If I had given in and rested, I might not have made it back.”
In September, Kairen achieved a significant milestone by summiting Manaslu in Nepal, his first peak over 8,000 meters. “We faced an endless maze of deep, treacherous crevasses, and each step filled me with anxiety. The altitude brought sudden weather changes, with fierce winds and blizzards obscuring our path, compelling us to depend entirely on the ropes guiding us.”
Just a few weeks earlier, he reached the summit of K2, notoriously known as the “Mountain of Death.” K2 may not be taller than Everest, but the challenges it presents are far greater. “We navigated steep icy ridges where the terrain was dangerously slick, and in some places, only one climber could pass at a time.”
During their ascent, Kairen and his team were trapped in the perilous “Death Zone” at 8,260 meters for four hours due to an avalanche. “Above us was a massive ice wall, and below was the abyss. Ice fragments kept falling around us, a stark reminder of how quickly danger can strike,” he recounted, clearly impacted by the experience.
“When we first started, the sky was full of thunder and lightning, illuminating the clouds. Even with climbing boots and wool socks, I felt freezing and worried about frostbite. But as the sun rose, it bathed the sky and summit in golden hues, creating a celestial paradise.”
When the weather finally improved, Kairen and his team resumed their climb, successfully summiting on July 28 at 9:58 AM. However, the descent proved even more perilous. “As the temperatures rose, melting ice cascaded around us, with fist-sized chunks whistling dangerously close. A hit could have been catastrophic,” he warned. During the descent, they ran out of food and water, resorting to eating snow to stay hydrated. Exhausted, Kairen needed breaks after every 20 steps, then 10, 5, and eventually just 3. They trekked for 18 continuous hours on the final day before reaching a village.
Kairen believes that mountain climbing is more than just a thrill. “The journey instills humility and respect for nature. The mountains don’t become easier to navigate simply because you gain more experience.”
“Mountaineering also challenges your mindset. Each time my body issues warnings in extreme cold and thin air, it’s my willpower that pulls me through. Those life-or-death moments have shifted my perspective, freeing me from the burdens of everyday life,” he reflected.
In closing, Kairen said, “Climbing has become an essential part of who I am, and I intend to keep reaching new heights in the future.”
