Mount Haba Climb Fundraising 2024
Haba Snow Mountain, located in Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province, China, rises to an impressive 5,396 meters above sea level. This breathtaking peak, is known for its stunning glacial landscapes, including alpine meadows, forests, and glacial features. Rich biodiversity, home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare species adapted to high-altitude environments and challenging trekking routes, with sharp gains elevation, from the trail head (2900m) to the base camp (4100m), roughly about 2100m and from base camp to the summit (5396m), roughly about another 1296m to finish off the climb.
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Overall, Mount Haba is renowned not only for its physical features and challenging climbs but also for its ecological importance and cultural significance within the Yunnan Province of China.
The Climber!
The person who will be climbing Mount Haba, his name is Stan Wong, he is 45. His hobbies are Reading and sports in general like Mountaineering, Yoga, Tennis, Skiing, Rock Climbing, Cycling, Scuba Diving and Inline Skating. Stan started with a personal journey that began with indoor rock climbing during the COVID lockdown. This initial spark ignited a passion that eventually led him into the world of mountaineering.
“No one inspired me to start climbing; Now, I aspire to be an inspiration to my children, showing them that anything is possible. Through my climbing adventures, I hope to teach them the value of fitness, resilience, and the endless pursuit of challenges, no matter your age.”
Climbing his first mountain was a coincidence, it was one week's notice that he had to step in for someone who had to drop out of the Mt Kinabalu expedition. Being a spontaneous person, he embraced the challenge despite having minimal training. Fortunately, his active lifestyle gave him the confidence to tackle this adventure. Being able to tackle his first adventure, there are ups and downs during his first climb. He was among the first to reach the summit, but descending was a different story.
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“The weather turned for the worse, and it started pouring non-stop. Dressed in just a T-shirt and shorts for the descent, I was drenched and cold. To make matters worse, I sprained my ankle, and my knees locked up from fatigue and the cold. Despite these challenges, I managed to descend safely, although it took me twice as long as the ascent.”
Compared to his first climb to Mount Kilimanjaro to Mount Haba, every mountain is unique in its own way, presenting its own set of challenges, increasing his training frequency from 3-4 days to 5-6 days a week, with much higher intensity and volume.
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“Gym strength training, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), stairs climbing and incline treadmill workouts with weighted vest to build lower body strength on top of swimming, long walks and cycling. This regimen is designed to acclimatize my body to endure the physical demands and enhance my endurance. Additionally, I am incorporating recovery strategies such as cold baths, sauna sessions, and jacuzzi hot bath treatments to ensure proper muscle recovery and overall well-being.”
From Haba village to base camp the distance is about 6 km and will take around 5-6 hours. From base camp to summit, 5396m, the most difficult climb during summit day. Due to lack of sleep, combined with waking up past midnight to start the ascent, which will be challenging.
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To overcome the difficulties of climbing, climbers will focus on the mental aspect as much as the physical. Training prepares their body, but when faced with the mountain's unexpected challenges, it is a true test of mental strength. Harnessing the power of mind over body and reminding themself that the pursuit of reaching new heights and embracing the journey is what truly matters. Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow, and the reward of conquering the mountain is worth the effort.
Mountaineering is an extremely taxing sport but incredibly rewarding. If you love challenging yourself both physically and mentally, and do not mind swapping comfort for epic views and sore muscles, go for it! Just remember, the mountain isn't going anywhere. Respect the mountain, take it one step at a time, and embrace the old cliché: slow and steady wins the race in mountaineering!
“Every quest isn’t about getting to the end. It is about the whole journey. Live for the moment and be present. See the challenges as opportunities to grow and learn. Not just obstacles. When going gets tough, keep moving. Trust the process and stay connected to what you love.” - Stan Wong