On top of it all

Photo provided to China Daily

SEVEN SUMMITS, TWO POLES

Dong Fan has been climbing since 1984. In 2012, he successfully led a college team from China University of Geosciences to the summit of Qomolangma, the world's highest mountain. In 2013, the team climbed Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, and in February this year, they successfully climbed Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

"In fact, our plan is to complete the '7+2' challenge in three to four years. If we can make it, we will be the first college team in the world to complete the challenge," he says.

The 7+2 challenge means climbing the highest peaks on the seven continents and hiking to the South and North poles. So far, there are no more than 20 people who have completed the challenge.

Dong says safety is the most important aspect of any climb. He warns everyone who asks him about climbing that it is a high-risk activity.

"I have experienced plenty of danger. You have to follow the laws of science and don't take any risks."

The mountain that made the biggest impression on him, was the first one he climbed, as part of a Chinese Mountaineering Association team climbing Mount Anye Machen in Qinghai province.

"It was my second work year after graduating. I was lucky to be one of the team."

However, on the second day of the climb, he was hit severe altitude sickness.

"I even called out to my mom, saying 'I want go home', when I was lying in the tent. Fortunately, I recovered quickly."

And now, he says, the only way is up.

"When you are at 5,000 meters, you want to go to 6,000. And when you are 6,000, you want to go higher, to 7,000, 8,000. The pursuit never stops. That's it."