Bold moments of ZJUers (Part 2)

In a world where boundless landscapes nurture audacious dreams, individuals in the Zhejiang University community dare to look, listen, try, and strive. This audacity intertwines with their essence, their existence, and their journey through life... They follow their heart with courage and belief. Today, let us celebrate their remarkable narratives.

This is Part 2 of a two-part stories about ZJU dream chasers.

Mediocre Poets: Climbing the 42-Kilometer “Fengzhe” Route

Nine years ago, a mountaineering group formed at Zhejiang University. The members nicknamed themselves as “Mediocre Poets.” Bonded by their shared love for climbing mountains and embracing the essence of life, they often traversed the scenic trails around the West Lake and carried a bag of trash on their way down. 

Fast forward to the present, the “Mediocre Poets Mountaineering Group” continues to flourish in the Zhejiang University community. Recently, YUAN Mingzhu, a graduate student from the College of Education, participated in arduous “Fengzhe route — the longest climbing route organized by the “Mediocre Poets”.

The moniker “Fengzhe” refers to a climbing route that starts from Fengshui Cave and ends on Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University. Spanning approximately 3,000 meters in elevation and covering a distance of roughly 42 kilometers, this expedition demands not only physical prowess but also unyielding resolve, with an estimated completion time of 14 hours.

Reflecting on this experience, YUAN Mingzhu shared, “I had never experienced such high-intensity mountaineering activities before, so I felt particularly tired at the beginning, yearning for flat ground. However, as time progressed, I gradually adapted to the ascent.” At around 7:30 in the morning, the “Mediocre Poets” began their ascent, reaching the first peak by 8 o’clock, greeted by panoramic vistas of distant peaks and a crystalline reservoir, akin to a living ink painting.

Throughout this journey, some members had the thought of giving up. “Around the 30-kilometer mark, exhaustion consumed me, and I grapple with symptoms of hypoxia.” But buoyed up by the unwavering support of her fellow teammates, YUAN Mingzhu persisted. Following this bold endeavor, she attested to not only an enhancement in physical fitness but also a profound lift in spirit, affirming, “As long as I persist, nothing is impossible.”

Just as the “Mediocre Poets” persevere against the odds, “pure things also have the power to thrive.”

DAI Gang: Take a motorcycle journey to Lhasa

“Nothing can quell the yearning for freedom,” muses DAI Gang, a doctoral student from the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Zhejiang University, echoing the sentiment encapsulated in this lyric. His heart has always longed for a spur-of—the-moment journey, an exploration of his own “verse and distant place.” Last summer, he seized the moment — just three months after obtaining his driver’s license, he made an audacious endeavor: traversing the expanse of National Highway 318, charting a course straight to Lhasa.

National Highway 318 is not only China’s most daunting but also its most awe-inspiring thoroughfare, known as “China’s National Highway with Scenic Landscapes.” The Sichuan-Xizang Highway starts from Chengdu in the east and extends to Lhasa in the west, covering a total distance of 2,142 kilometers. In last July, DAI Gang set off from Chengdu, riding along the Kangding-Yajiang-Lulang-Lhasa section, passing through the ethereal “Sky City” Litang, winding through the 72 bends of the Nujiang River, and witnessing the splendid golden sunrise...

“The immersive allure of these vistas defies replication, even by the most captivating photos online.” The landscapes adorning National Highway 318 provided him with a canvas for discovering his own “verse and distant place.”

Yet, amid these natural wonders, it was the like-minded “teammates” and the mutual assistance along the way that etched a deeper mark on DAI Gang. “My motorcycle has a relatively short range, and the gas stations along the road are few and far between. Occasionally, when I ran out of fuel, many strange ‘friends’ on the road were willing to help me with gas or share some from their own tanks.” A few liters of gasoline warmed the long journey.

Upon completing the journey, DAI Gang found his circle of friends expanded, his riding mileage increased by over 2,000 kilometers, and his memory adorned with a kaleidoscope of vivid experiences. “Certainly, there were regrets. Many sceneries were obscured by clouds and mist along the way, and some attractions couldn’t be visited due to time constraints. However, National Highway 318 is worth a visit.”

Behind the unrestrained gallop on the vast land lies the bold pursuit of one’s own “verse and distant place.” Despite the thorns along the epic road, he listens to the whispers of the wind and moves forward with persistent resolve.

Adapted and translated from the article written by CHEN Yongnan, OUYANG Yuxuan, TIAN Siqi, LI Sa

Photo: the interviewees