This was the first alpine climb that my partner and I attempted entirely on our own. Gangshika is the highest peak (5255M) in the eastern Qilian Mountains. It's a beginner-friendly snow mountain with easy access.
Back then, I was young and reckless. We set off carrying a pyramid shelter. It was still the windy season. We set up our shelter on an exposed snow slope, where the wind battered it through the night. The fabric rattled for hours while we lay on the snow.
Summiting began at 3 a.m. I crawled out of my sleeping bag in the dark and started getting ready. My partner, on the other hand, moved at a slower pace. Once we started, she followed me the entire way. Just as I started climbing the final snow slope, I heard her call from below: "I'm not going any further." There wasn't much I could do, so we descended together.
Even now, all these years later, there's still one question I'd like to ask her: "when you came with me that day, did you ever intend to reach the summit?"
| Type | Alpine climb |
| Style | Accompanied |
| Altitude | 3700M - 5200M |
| Distance | 25KM |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Date | May 2012 |
| Place | Qing Hai |
