A teen's quest to summit the world

In May 2023, on the eve of her summit attempt on Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest),16-year-old Xu Zhuoyuan encountered a fierce snowstorm during her ascent.

Howling winds and heavy snowfall relentlessly battered her team, and her oxygen mask kept freezing. Despite her stiff fingers, icy eyelashes, and frozen hair, Xu reached the summit at 5:46 am the following day, making her the youngest Chinese woman to conquer the world's highest peak from the southern slope.

"Standing on the same ridge my father climbed 16 years ago from the northern slope felt like a meeting across time and space," recalled Xu, now 18 and in her third year of high school.

In 2007, when Xu was just 1 year old, her father became the first person from Central China's Hunan province to summit Mount Qomolangma.

Growing up in a mountaineering environment, Xu's life was naturally shaped by a passion for the mountains.

"I went on my first high-altitude adventure when I was 4," Xu said. "My father noticed I didn't suffer from altitude sickness, so he gradually started taking me on more outdoor explorations."

When Xu graduated from elementary school, her father took her to Mount Qomolangma's base camp. Unfortunately, thick clouds hid the summit from view.

"I asked him, 'Did you start from here when you climbed it?' He explained that his camp back then was farther into the mountains. At that moment, I knew I wanted to reach the same place he had," Xu said. "I hoped that one day, like my father, I could stand at the highest point on Earth."

Over the years, Xu has climbed several challenging peaks across China, including Mount Siguniang and Banji Peak in Sichuan, and Muztagh Ata in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which prepared her for the ultimate challenge — Mount Qomolangma.

"My father climbed from the north; I chose the south. This is our shared legacy," she said.

The seven-day ascent to the summit was a constant struggle against nature. Although the blizzard didn't stop her, the real test came during the descent.

"I was completely exhausted, and my legs felt beyond my control," Xu recalled. "It was pitch black — just me and my guide making our way through the vast, unforgiving mountain. In that moment, I truly felt the solitude of being human."

After summiting Mount Qomolangma, Xu didn't stop. In 2024, she climbed Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak, in January, and Elbrus, Europe's highest, in August. These expeditions are part of her ambitious "7+2" plan — referring to the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, along with the North and South Poles.

Each climb brought its own challenges and revelations. At the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, for example, Xu was struck by the contrast between the tropical surroundings and the snow-capped summit.

"The temperature changed drastically, shifting from tropical rainforests to cold zones," she explained. "It was also my first time experiencing rain on a snow mountain — hot, humid, and completely unfamiliar."

On the day she reached the summit — New Year's Day 2024 — she was greeted by locals singing and dancing on the mountain. In that moment, she let herself fully absorb the warmth and joy of African culture.

For Xu, the appeal of extreme sports lies in pushing personal limits and experiencing the awe of nature.

"Mountaineering relies heavily on luck — especially the weather," she said, recalling how a friend's recent attempt to climb Mount Fuji in Japan was cut short by an unexpected snowstorm.

News of climber injuries or deaths is a constant reminder of the risks. "Every climber knows they might not return. We train hard, then savor the journey," she said.

Mountains know no gender

Xu shared that in extreme sports like mountaineering, many stereotypes about women still exist. "Some believe women are too fragile to handle the tough, demanding nature of these sports," she said.

However, she pointed out that many women — from teenagers to those in their 40s and 50s — are active climbers. "We are proving through our actions that these biases are wrong," Xu said.

She acknowledged that, due to physiological differences, women may face certain challenges in high-altitude climbing, such as heightened altitude sickness during menstruation and lower physical endurance.

"But our mental resilience stands out. We stay calmer, more patient, and more detail-oriented in crises," she explained. "In extreme sports, women can achieve as much as men — and sometimes even excel."

Behind every mountaineer's achievements lies a physical toll. Xu noted that many climbers suffer significant damage to their knees, lower back, shoulders, and neck. Her father, for instance, has worn down the cartilage in his knees after years of climbing.

Now in her senior year of high school, Xu has decided to pursue university studies in sports injury rehabilitation. "I hope to support this beloved sport from a new perspective and help others recover so they can continue chasing their passion," she said.