On October 16th, what can only be described as a momentous occasion unfolded at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport as He Jing, a climber from Shaanxi, stepped out in her athletic attire, pushing three large pieces of luggage. A crowd of family and friends eagerly surrounded her, celebrating her remarkable achievement from just a week prior— summiting Shishapangma at an elevation of 8,027 meters, making her the first Chinese woman to climb all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters without supplemental oxygen.
Climbing without supplemental oxygen, especially at such altitudes, adds an incredible level of difficulty to the expedition. The world has 14 peaks that exceed 8,000 meters, and among them, Shishapangma is unique as it is entirely located within China, specifically in the Nyalam County of Tibet.
Reflecting on her journey, He Jing shared, “The challenge of this mountain was far beyond my expectations.” She recalled the daunting ridges leading up to the summit, where sheer snow-covered cliffs loomed ahead, making her uneasy. “I couldn’t shake the feeling that they could crumble at any moment,” she admitted. Even with extensive climbing experience, the treacherous nature of Shishapangma loomed large in her mind. After an especially careful ascent, she reached the summit at 9:10 AM on October 9th.
When asked how this climb compared to her previous experiences, she appeared slightly shy, revealing, “I didn’t cry when I stood atop Everest, but at Shishapangma, I found myself in tears several times.” She recounted a poignant moment as she neared the peak and encountered climbers returning from their ascent. They encouraged her, saying, “You’re almost there; you’re about to complete all 14 summits without oxygen!” With memories of her long journey flooding back and pain in her feet, her emotions wavered, but she quickly focused her mind and pressed on.
He Jing arrived at the base camp for Shishapangma on September 22, but the end of the month brought unexpected heavy snowfall, covering the camp in nearly a meter of snow. It wasn’t until October 2 that she was able to begin her ascent. During her acclimatization climb, she decided to adjust her plans to save energy, ultimately summiting six days ahead of her original schedule, thanks in part to favorable weather conditions.
Simultaneously, a documentary titled “China’s He Jing,” produced by the Jia Pingwa Literary and Art Museum, was being filmed to document her journey. He Jing slowed her pace to sync with the filming, saying that this prolonged connection with nature deepened her appreciation for life and the outdoors. “In the past, I always recorded others, but for the first time, I turned the camera on myself. This journey is not only a personal milestone but also a source of inspiration I hope to share,” she expressed.
On the day of her arrival back home, He Jing was welcomed by friends and family, along with a special inscription from renowned Shaanxi writer Jia Pingwa, summarizing it in the four characters “China’s He Jing.” Overwhelmed and touched by the congratulations from various sectors of society, she remarked, “Shishapangma will not be my last peak. In the future, I might explore new routes or climb during off-seasons. Just like I mentioned before, I’m always ready.”