Mount Siguniang Climb Fundraising 2024

Mount Siguniang also known as Mountain of the Four Maidens; Yaomei Feng, DaFeng, ErFeng and SanFeng, is the highest mountain of Qionglai Mountains located at Western China. Mount Siguniang is renowned for its beauty. Mount Siguniang National Park was identified as a UNESCO Heritage Site as part of Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in 2006.

The highest peak being Yaomei, which rises to about 6,250 meters. The area is known for its breathtaking landscapes, including alpine meadows, glaciers, and rich biodiversity. Mount Siguniang are surrounded by 3 valleys, Changping, Haizi and Shuangqiao Valley.

Mount Siguniang is popular among hikers and climbers, offering various trails for different skill levels. The region is also culturally significant, home to the Qiang ethnic group, and features beautiful Tibetan-style architecture. If you're interested in nature, photography, or mountaineering, it's definitely a place worth exploring!

The Climber!

The climber who will be climbing Mount Siguniang, ErFeng Peak on October 28th, 2024, 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.

“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.”

For his first climb, due to a last minute climb he did not specifically train for it. When he did his second climb at Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in February 2024, it led him to train more but regardless of how much we train, nature always has its surprises in store, however, is the importance of mentality and resilience.

Respecting the mountains is crucial, Being aware, physically ready, well equipped and properly fueled and hydrates as each ascent brings you face to face with both the landscape and your own limits. In this sense, each climb becomes a new experience. It’s not necessarily about the difficulty level; rather, it’s about adapting to a fresh set of challenges.

Compared to his first climb to Mount Kilimanjaro to Mount Siguniang, ErFeng Peak, 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.

“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.”

Mount Siguniang, Erfeng Peak is one of the prominent peaks of Mount Siguniang, standing at approximately 5,355 meters. It is known for its striking, rugged beauty and is a popular destination for trekkers and climbers. The peak features challenging routes and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including glaciers and lush valleys but it is one of the easier peak compared to the other 3 peaks, only steeper rock formation formation nearer to the top, that is the challenge he need to face.

Overall, Erfeng peaks is rich in natural diversity, with opportunities to see various wildlife and unique flora. He was told, many visitors enjoyed the cultural aspects of the region, as it is inhabited by the Qiang and Tibetan ethnic groups and is very excited to climb and explore the mountain peak.

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