SHENZHEN mountaineer, Zhang Liang, returned for the Spring Festival holiday after summiting the highest peak in Antarctica, the 4,987-meter Mount Vinson, getting one step closer to his ambitious goal of completing 14 mountains 8,000 meters above sea level, peaks in seven continents and two peaks in the South and North Poles.

    He is among only a few in China who have reached the “three polar points:” Mt. Qomolangma, as well as the North and South Poles.

    Zhang, who is an employee with Agricultural Bank of China, plans to complete all of his challenges by 2018 and will become the second person in the world to complete the 14+7+2 plan.

    So far, with four peaks left, Zhang will spend 2017 exploring Carstensz Pyramid, the highest mountain in Oceania, Qogir Feng in China, the second-tallest mountain in the world, and Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world.

    Zhang described his challenge in Antarctica as “demanding” as he had to endure extremely low temperatures and strong winds.

    Zhang and other climbers planned to complete the ascent once and for all on Jan. 13, but they had to stop and stay in their tents to wait for their chance because of sudden weather changes and strong winds. The weather didn’t improve on the second day, so Zhang and a team member started upward and completed their feat in six hours, while another member quit.

    “The route is long and the range was mixed with ice and rock after we climbed the big slope. Any climber needs patience and caution facing the complicated terrain,” Zhang said in an interview after he returned home.

    Zhang is vice chairman of the Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association. He graduated in 1986 and has been mountaineering since 2000.

    “In 17 years, I have encountered a lot of challenges and risks. You need to be seasoned and fully prepared both mentally and physically. You need to think it through before getting started,” Zhang said.

    In 2015, just a month before a deadly earthquake shook Nepal, Zhang and his teammates encountered an avalanche on their way up Annapurna, and were on the verge of an emotional breakdown as they returned from a victorious summit of the world’s 10th-highest mountain.

    Surviving the avalanche in Annapurna has given Zhang a new perspective on life. “I am able to face danger and hardship. I have become more mature,” Zhang said. (Han Ximin)