My friend Fen was arranging a night hike at Huashan Mountain when I decided to take a break from work, so I said, “Count me in.” Then I booked a flight to Xi’an.

    At 11:35 p.m., April 22, 2016, 14 people arrived at the foot of Huashan Mountain with high-calorie food, flashlights, slip-proof gloves, disposable raincoats and winter overcoats in our backpacks. We started from the North Peak, climbed over the Middle Peak and reached the East Peak for sunrise at about 5:30 a.m. and then changed to the South Peak and went downhill from the West Peak.

    Many people were climbing the mountain that night. I was surrounded by climbers armed with equipment — climbing sticks, headlamps, kneecaps and sleeping bags.

    When we reached the first landmark stone I felt ready to talk with the mountain and the moon, with her soft touch. The mountains embraced each other, shaping different lines and the river gave off a tender and clear sound beneath.

    At 3 a.m., we were stopped again by the stream of people in front of us on the narrow stairs, which can hardly support half of a foot. The path was narrow and allowed only one person to pass. When Fen talked to me from behind I was holding the steel rope tightly. She said, “Can you feel my heartbeat? It beats so loud and fast. I feel like I am crazy in love.” I laughed and replied, “Well, maybe we should thank this opportunity for giving us a chance to feel again. It is really hard to meet someone to be crazy about at our age.”

    Half an hour passed and I moved along the one-person path. Though the angle was about 90 degrees, rocks overhead forced me to bend down. I couldn’t stop to adjust myself since the people behind me were waiting to move.

    I wondered, “Was I ready when I decided to hike?” I arrived at the top of the North Peak. The cold wind flowed into my fleece and my legs shook. I took out my jacket and tried to take in the whole view. As the moon disappeared, the mountains under my feet were even deeper and darker.

    I stumbled after we passed the Middle Peak. Soon after that my stomach began to twist, my legs stiffened and I felt dizzy. Every move was painful, and then it started to rain.

    We came to the last challenge — Cloudy Ladder, with stairs, a straight mountain wall and two thick steel ropes hanging. Again we waited in line. It seemed that a century passed by before I finally started. I grabbed the rope with both hands and counted to myself, “Step one, two, three…”

    I didn’t seem likely to move an inch. I tried to look back and sought help from my friend, but I saw the light of dawn.