Mt. Aconcagua, Argentina -- Continued
December 8, 2007
A strong gale during the night made it difficult for us to sleep and
we started to worry that we would not be able to attack the summit. However,
at 5:00am our guide told us to get ready and we became excited that maybe
our dreams would come true. We set off from the 6,000 meter camp at exactly
6am. It was 20 centigrade below zero. We climbed the North Ridge to Independencia
Refuge at approximately 6,500 meters where we saw the sunrise. There the
guide said that Professor Tian was looking too tired and that if he didn't
improve in one hour he would have to quit for the sake of his own safety.
Our next section was called "El Portezuelo del Viento" (meaning
the Door of the Wind), where often there is a strong breeze even on calm
days. When you are
walking against a strong wind, your body is usually inclined, you have
to push hard forward, as well as fight hard against the gale in order
not to be blown away. Professor Tian now was breathing deeply using the
method I had taught him and he was making a large sound. The guide thought
he was having difficulty in breathing and told him to give up. Professor
Tian explained that his deep breathing was a method that I had taught
him, which was very effective, and the reason why he walked so slow was
in order to avoid being hit by the rocks caused to fall by the Holland
teamate who was walking ahead of him. He told the guide that he would
keep going and reach the summit and also witness my feat of completing
my 9 extreme spots expedition. The guide was persuaded by him. Our team
finally crossed The Door of the Wind and climbed up to La Canaleta, a
300 meter gorge which leads to the summit ridge. The peak ahead seemed
always in the distance and the climbing seemed endless. The final summit
ridge attack on
Mt. Aconcagua is 962 meters, 418 meters higher than Everest, and this
inlcudes the gale winds and falling rocks during the final assult.. It's
climbing difficulty is not a bit less than Everest.
After more than 9 hours hard climbing, we finally stood on the summit
of the highest peak in South America. Professor Tian who reached the summit
along side me is only an amateur climber. He was influenced by Wang Shi
and only started climbing in 2005. He has now reached the summits of more
than 10 peaks such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus and Mt. Muztag. The
success of Mt. Aconcagua was an important breakthrough for him, which
has increased his confidence for his own 9 extreme spots attempt.
Upon reaching the summit, I displayed the national flag, the Beijing Olympic flag, the City Construction flag, the Kunming spirit flag, and the flag of the China Association for Promoting Democrasy. From the summit I called Kunming and in the bustling wind and full of excitement I said: "Hello, my dear countrymen, I am now on the summit of Mt. Aconcagua. Thank you all for your support. I thank City Construction, leaders of People's Government of Kunming City and Yunnan Province and the medias. Without you, there could not be this exciting moment!"
Now we have descended to the 6,000 meter Camp, and we will return to
Base Camp tomorrow. I am now thinking that I am the 11th person in the
world to have completed the 9 world extreme spots.
December 9, 2007
Today we have decsended to the ABC Camp from the 6,000 meter Attack Camp.
The distance between the two camps had a vertical height of 1,500 meters.
This gave us an opportunity to show our feet skills and in certain rocky
places we "skied" down the great mountain. When we finally reached
the 4,500 meter Camp, we were all sweating like pigs. Looking back at
the great summit, it now seemed unreachable, but we had made it to the
top!
The warmness in the camp made us forget our hardships of the previous
two days. People in the camp had been fully prepared to welcome us back.
They had prepared abundant dishes, red wines, champagnes and syrups. All
people in the camp gathered to celebrate the success of climbing Aconcagua.
During the celebration party, I became the focus, not only because I had
completed the 9 extreme spots expedition within less than two years, but
also because for the first time a person had carried the Olympic flag
to the 9 extreme spots. They expressed their eminent admiration and asked
me for photographs and group photos. This drew everyone present closer
to each other and atmosphere became very warm. One Italian climber took
out a medal embroidered with the Olympic five rings, torch and mascot
of Athens Olypmics and gave it to me. After his own explanation, I finally
understood that the Italian climber was a shooter during the Athens Olympics
and he came to Aconcagua just because of personal interest. I was deeply
moved and 
told
everyone present, that I admire Olympic athletes very much, and during
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, I will contribute to it by being a torch bearer.
I invited all of the climbers to attend the Beijing Olympic Games and
expressed that Beijing 2008 Olympic Games would be the most wonderful
and magnificent event in the 100 years of Olympic history.
December 10, 2007
Today, we started from the 4,500 meter Camp, descended to the 3,700 meter
Base Camp, and after 9 hours hard descending and automobile bumping, we
finally arrived in Mendoza. 
On the road from the 4,500 meter Camp to Mendoza, I suffered from pains in two of my tip toes. By reaching the Base Camp, my pollex nails had been seriously wounded and I suppose they will probably have to be taken away. I can only rest and let them recover after getting back to Kunming. I said to my teamates jokingly, "the two of my tip toes have already completed their honorary missions of taking me to 7+2." Looking back at the great mountain, Aconcagua, I could see the gathering clouds and the falling snow and I know from the weather reports that bad weather is on the way. I feel very lucky, for if I had met with such bad weather, my climbing would be postponed or even cancelled.
Through communication in yesterday's celebration party, every one knows
that Aconcagua is the last of my 9 extreme spots. It seemed that I have
become a hero in their heart and it seemed that all people on the mountain
now know that a Chinese person has just completed 7+2. I have became a
"celebrity" in this part of the world and the news is passed
on to other teams. One 
American
paid me a visit personally saying that he was the climber climbing ahead
of me when I was climbing Mt. Everest. He supposed that it must be Jin
Fei Bao from China when he heard that a Chinese climber completed 7+2
within as short as 18 months from 2006. I was deeply moved to know about
that. It is really a great pleasure that an old friend have witnessed
my adventure in Everest and Aconcagua, a pleasure not a bit less than
when I stood on the summit of Aconcagua.
Arriving in Mendoza, my Aconcagua expedition finally arrives to a perfect
end. Going back to the safe place, I believe what is waiting for me is
the passions of my countrymen. All my friends in my country and in other
countries who have been caring for me sent me congratulations on my completing
my world 9 extreme spots expedition. I am more than moved but what I can
do now is to say thank you in this remote country. I will never stop my
steps of spreading Kunming Spirit and Beijing Olympics. I will bring more
supprises and wonders for you in the future.
December 15, 2007
Today we arrived in Beijing on our flight from Paris. On this flight we
were upgraded to first-class passengers. Although we didn't know why,
we took it as a surprise and a prize for our success in mountaineering.
We greatly enjoyed the VIP services.
At the Beijing airport, we were welcomed with a grand celebration by many people from Beijing Medias and many of our friends. The medias receiving me included important medias in Beijing and all around China, such as CCTV, Beijing TV, Digital Channel of Tourism TV, Singapore TV, Beijing Evening News, China Youth Daily, Civilization Magazine, Traveler's Magazine, and Outdoor Adventure. They formed a large group with our friends. I never thought there would be so many people welcoming me back and I was extremely happy and deeply moved. In front of the flowers and greetings, I took out and showed the National Flag and Beijing 2008 Olympics flag that I displayed at the 9 extreme spots. The whole airport was surrounded by flowers and applause. Other passengers in the airport stopped and looked at us. When they knew the reason, they expressed that I was a hero and invited me for group photos with them.
Then I was interviewed by the many medias and in the following two days, I will stay in Beijing to be interviewed by the medias. Though I am rather homesick, I feel their great kindness should not be refused.
December 17, 2007
Today I arrived in Kunming and when I got out of the arrival gate, I saw
hundreds of people waiting for me. There were students from primary schools,
high schools and colleges, and reporters from different medias, as well
as my good friends. The welcome celebration was rather lively and during
the night a banquet was held. My 7+2 adventure has come to an end, but
these days there will still be some interviews.
Gregg, Thank you so much for going to Buenos Aires to welcome me. I start to miss you again now. I sincerely hope that you and Ann can come to China to attend my exhibitions in 2008 and I hope to share with you every aspect of my successes and pleasures in the future.
Please forward my heartfelt thank you to all the friends who sent me congratulation letters and tell them that I am so grateful for their support.