Peking University, May 6, 2016: May 4th is not only a festival of the youth but also the birthday of Peking University. In the morning, the launch ceremony of the Mount Everest Expedition was held at Peking University Hall (PKU Hall). It was announced that Peking University Mountaineering Association and experienced alumni are going to climb Mount Everest in May, 2018, the 120th birthday of Peking University.
This activity has received great support. Attending the launch ceremony were officials from the Ministry of Education, the Central Committee of the Communist Young League, Chinese Mountaineering Association, and Peking University, along with representatives from related departments, student representatives and alumni representatives.
Flags presenting
At the launch ceremony, Zhu Shanlu, Chair of Peking University Council, presented Mountaineering Association and the alumni representatives with the climbing team flag and the volunteer team flag, respectively. These flags, full with blessing and inspiration from Beida and the whole society, will be carried by the team members to Mount Everest.
Zhu said that this climbing activity represents a challenge from Mount Everest as well as a challenge to spirits and willpower. Team members should realize the spiritual breakthrough during the process, and turn the physical height into the height of dreams and causes.
President Lin Jianhua made a speech and emphasized that Peking University always encourages students to explore and innovate. This activity, represented by Peking University Mountaineering Association, shows the youth’s love and pursuit of nature as well as the spirit to challenge oneself.
Lin Jianhua giving a speech
Team member Zhao Wanrong, the current president of Association, pledged on behalf of all the members that the climbing team is bound to keep the school’s entrustment in heart. Instead of only purposing to reach the peak, they focus on spreading the spirit of scaling new heights and the courage of the youth to adventure and explore.
The climbing project was announced during the ceremony. 4 to 5 climbing trainings for team members are scheduled in the following two years with the help of experts from the Chinese Mountaineering Association. Possible risks and difficulties are also considered in the project, including route planning, medical care, weather forecast and professional equipment.
In the end, the 12 invited guests cheered for the climbing team with ice axes. These ice axes have either been to the peak of Mount Everest or will be taken to the peak by the climbing team.
All the best to Peking University Mountaineering Association! All the best to PKU Mount Everest climbing team!
The group photo
Written by: Fu Guirong
Edited by: Xu Liangdi
