Boy, 11, scales highest mountain in Europe

A week after summiting Mount Elbrus in Russia, the highest mountain in Europe, Zhou Yichen, 11, still remembered every detail of the thrilling experience.

Strapping on crampons over high mountain boots and crushing ice and snow with each step, Yichen advanced toward the peak at 3 am on July 16.

"It was still very dark, with only a hint of red glow on the horizon. That's why we all had to wear head lamps, and the darkness also increased the difficulty of climbing," Yichen wrote in his diary.

The boy got to the top of the mountain with his father and three guides in five hours, something difficult even for an adult.

Looking at the snow-covered mountain peaks all around, with the sound of whistling cold winds in his ears, Yichen said he felt a strong sense of achievement that was hard to describe in words.

He wrote in his diary, "I felt exhausted but proud. I thought I would have failed, but I succeeded. I'm so excited."

About one-third of the way up the mountain, which has an altitude of about 5,642 meters, altitude sickness brought on stomach cramps and dizziness, causing Yichen's steps to slow. He began swaying, stumbled and collapsed on the ground. For two to three minutes, he couldn't get up.

The adults came over, asking if he could continue. Yichen thought for a moment and said: "The summit is right ahead. We're about two hours away from reaching it. I can persevere."

With his father's assistance, Yichen continued onward. The pain disappeared after climbing two-thirds of the way. In the final third of the journey, Yichen's condition improved. He was the first of the five to reach the summit.

After a brief rest, the group began their descent. On the way down, Yichen's performance once again impressed Zhou Shuangliu, his father, who said, "He recovered his speed and energy quickly, not losing to adult climbers at all."

Yichen, a primary school student from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, is influenced by his father, an outdoor enthusiast who climbed Mount Qomolangma, known as Mount Everest in the West, in May.

Together, they summited the 5,025-meter Siguniang Mountain in Sichuan province twice — when Yichen was 9 and 10 years old.

To prepare for their latest trip, Yichen ran for 5 kilometers twice a week and swam every week. On July 8, they flew to Moscow, and began adaptive training on July 12.

"Mountaineering can not only help the child exercise, but also learn the spirit of endurance and perseverance through embracing a love for nature. It will greatly aid in his future growth and development," Zhou Shuangliu said.

He added that children of Yichen's age often cling to electronic devices, stay in bed during holidays and lack enthusiasm for anything. "However, when he sets a goal and willingly gives up the temptation of screens to exercise and prepare, it is truly remarkable," he said.

In the week following the climb, Yichen, a rather shy boy, had become much more confident, he said.

"Previously, he would immediately think of playing games when holding a phone," he said. "A few days ago, I suggested to him that he could use the phone to learn English because he will need it for mountaineering abroad in the future. He actually started learning English on his phone."

Yichen said he has developed a strong interest in mountaineering from his Russian experience and has set a new goal of reaching the summit of the 6,178-meter Yuzhu Peak in Qinghai province next summer.