The Origin of Mountaineering in China

The origin of mountaineering is difficult to verify. Human beings inevitably need to climb mountains in their production and life activities, and after the development of civilization to a certain extent, it becomes a pleasant activity to enjoy the scenery and broaden their horizons. China's ancient tradition of "mountain climbing" can be regarded as such an activity.

Modern mountaineering is generally believed to have originated in Europe in the late18th century. 1760, Swiss physicist Horace Benedict Saussure offered a large sum of money to anyone who climbed Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, or provided a climbing route in order to study alpine plants, but no one cared. It was not until 1786 that a doctor named packard climbed Mont Blanc with Balma, a local quarryman. In August of the following year, under the guidance of Balma, Horace-Benedict Saussure personally led a mountaineering team of more than 20 people to the summit of Mont Blanc, confirming the first climb a year ago. This event is regarded as the symbol of the birth of modern mountaineering, and 1786 is also regarded as the birth year of mountaineering.