Zhang becomes first blind Chinese to scale Mt. Everest
Travel Biz News —
Zhang Hong , the first blind Chinese mountaineer, successfully climbed Mt. Everest on his first attempt with the assistance of his mountain guide Qiang Zi and three Sherpas – Lhakpa Sherpa, Dawa Wongchu Sherpa, and Samden Bhote on Monday ( May 24 ) .
Zhang Hong , 46 , is the third blind person to have climbed Mt. Everest after American Erik Weihenmayer (in 2001) and Austrian Andy Holzer (in 2017).
“In my life, though I’m blind, I felt I could face any challenge. When I’m in the mountain, though I still can’t see, I’m in awe of nature. Overcoming the death zone and the summit, makes me want to embrace and be a humble part of mother nature”, Zhang said in his first reaction after reaching world’s tallest peak.
Born in 1976 near Chongqing in a farmer’s family, he had to take care of his father and uncle who lost their sight due to glaucoma. Missing China’s college entrance exam he had no choice but to start working as a migrant worker during the 90s.
At 21-year-old Zhang also became blind and had to switch to the low-income position of blind masseur at Tibet Fokind Hospital.
After hearing the story of Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind person to have ever climbed Mt. Everest, Zhang decided to prepare to climb the mountain. He has been trained for many years, under the guidance of his friend and mountain guide Quang Zi , as per the information released by Asian Trekking.
“I would like to thank my family, my guide, the folks at Fokind Hospital, and Asian Trekking who have been extremely supportive of my journey. This is only the beginning as I would like to climb the Seven Summits” said Zhang over the radio after coming back to Camp 4 of Mt. Everest.
His journey is currently being followed by Chinese filmmaker Fan Lixin (2009 Emmy Award for Last Train Home ) and his story will reach the cinemas in early 2022, according to Aladin Farré of inhope.net.
May 28 , 2021
Photo credit: InHope Pictures
