This Basic Ice Climbing Course and DaFeng climb is conducted by one of our partners, Incredible Journeys.
The ice climbing course is aimed at those with little or no ice and snow terrain walking experience and would like some training in ice and snow mountaineering skills. Participants will learn to climb on vertical ice fall with the focus on developing good footwork, rope skills, and proper handling of ice equipment.
Ice climbing in Sichuan provides one of the most accessible and affordable venue to all adventure seekers. The varieties of the climbs are suitable for beginners to expert climbers. The ice climbing course is conducted in Shuangqiao Gou. Shuangqiao Gou has many spectacular waterfalls. These waterfalls freezes in winter providing the perfect playground for ice climbing.
The course involves introduction to basic ice climbing and mountaineering skills to enable participants to develop the motor skills in using climbing equipment such as ice axes, crampons, gloves, ice boots, etc. A series of lessons will be conducted to equip clients with sufficient knowledge in dealing with use of equipment, cold and high altitude environment.
About Mt Siguniang
Mt Siguniang (The Four Sisters Mountain) encompasses four peaks: DaFeng (Big Peak or 1st Sister Peak / 5038m), ErFeng (2nd Sister Peak / 5276 m), SanFeng (3rd Sister Peak / 5355m) and Yaomei Feng (4th Sister Peak / 6250m). The four peaks, standing between Haizi Gou and Changping Gou, is located in Siguniang Shan Scenic Area (The Four Sisters Mountain Scenic Area) in Xiaojin County of A’ba Prefecture in Sichuan Province of China. The area is reputed to be the “Queen of Mountains in Sichuan” and “The Oriental Alps” because of the beautiful mountain landscape and exquisite snow peaks scenery. Aside from Mt Siguniang, The Four Sisters Mountain Scenic Area also consists of Mt Balang, and 3 scenic valleys – Haizi Gou, Changping Gou, Shuangqiao Gou.
Aside from Yaomei Feng, the other three lower peaks, are regular mountain climbing destinations through all seasons. DaFeng is suitable for those who have been trekking below 5000m and would like to attempt a 5000m peak for the first time.
The climate in Mt Siguniang can also be drastically different in the high peaks and valleys. In the high peaks, the climate is constantly alpine and even arctic all year round. In the valleys, the dry season and the rainy season are obvious.
In general, April to September is the wet season. October to March is the dry season.
The ice climbing season is only in winter from mid December to February. It is also a good time to climb Mt Siguniang.
No experience required. Good to have Sports Climbing Level 1 but not essential.
Experience Required For Dafeng
This trek is graded 2B+.
You should have above 4000m trekking experience. Rilong is located at 3160m. You will be trekking from 3160m to above 5000m in a short time, with a personal backpack load of 5-6kg. The terrain is mostly vertical instead of undulating. While the approach trek is on easy mud and dirt trail, the summit trail after the base camp is steep and rocky. Snow and ice can be expected at times and there may be a need to use crampons or snow cleats. You will also be spending 2 nights at DaFeng Base Camp (4200m).
You will need thermal base layers, a fleece jacket, a down jacket, an outer shell jacket, outer shell pants, a pair of waterproof gloves and warm gloves. A down sleeping bag is also needed for Dafeng and provided.
Ice climbing gear (provided): Harness, ice axe, helmet, crampons and double boots.
| DAY | DESCRIPTION | MEALS |
| 1 |
Arrive Chengdu. Overnight: Chengdu hotel |
-/-/- |
| 2 |
Transfer to Shuangqiao Valley. Night theory lesson 1 in lodge. Overnight: Shuangqiao Valley lodge (3500m) |
B/L/D |
| 3-6 |
Day time Ice Climbing Practical Sessions in Shuangqiao Valley. Night time theory lessons in lodge. Overnight: Shuangqiao Valley lodge (3500m) |
B/PL/D |
| 7 |
Trek to Dafeng/1st Sister Peak base camp. Overnight: Base camp tent (4200m) |
B/L/D |
| 8 |
Summit day (Dafeng/1st Sister Peak, 5038m). Return to base camp. Descend to Rilong. Overnight: Rilong hotel (3200m) |
B/L/D |
| 9 |
Transfer to Chengdu. Overnight: Chengdu hotel |
B/-/- |
| 10 | Depart Chengdu. | -/-/- |
| DATES | PRICE |
| TBA | TBA (SGD) / person |
1. Trip briefing and information kit
2. Gear list and gear discount from selected Singapore outdoor outfitters
3. Complimentary group training sessions
4. Rope skill workshop (For climbs that require rope up and/or fixed rope skill)
The ice climbing course is conducted by Edwin Siew and his associate of Singapore and China instructors.
Holders of ordinary passports issued by the following countries do not need a visa to enter China as long as their trip does not last longer than the visa-free period listed below.
|
Duration |
Countries |
|
30 days |
Bahamas, Ecuador, Fiji, Grenada, Mauritius, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Tonga |
|
15 days |
Brunei, Japan, Singapore |
For latest updates and details of visa application, please visit https://www.visaforchina.org.
In Chengdu, currency exchange services are available at the airport, hotels, malls, local banks, and moneychangers throughout the city. ATMs are plentiful, most accepting international credit cards and debit cards. Credits cards are commonly accepted in most mid-range to high-end restaurants and hotels in the city. However, these are all scarce or not available at all in the remote towns and areas.
In recent years, mobile payment and going cashless has become mainstream in China (E.g. Alipay, WeChat Pay and QQ Wallet). Otherwise, for foreigners, cash is still the most reliable form of payment in China.
As of November 2019, travellers can now use AliPay and WeChat Pay mobile payments. AliPay and WeChat Pay are the 2 dominant mobile payment platforms in China accepted by everybody from big brands to street vendors.
AliPay lets tourists create a prepaid account and fund it with Visa, MasterCard, JCB or MasterCard. WeChat Pay links to a credit card and supports Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club.
China’s electricity is 220V and 50HZ. There are three types of plugs used in China. Two flat parallel pins (Type A) is the most common; two narrow round pins (Type C) and three-pronged angled pins (Type I).
Mandarin is the official language spoken and taught in schools all over China. There are 56 official ethnic groups, some having their own language and writing system. Even the majority Hans which make up 91% of the population speak many different dialects and their variations, according to the region they hail from. So their common language is hence Mandarin (普通话).
English is gaining popularity in the young and professionals as a window to the world, but common usage is non-existent. It is hardly understood or spoken by anyone including those working in the tourist service industry, except in international chains of hotels.
Tap water is not drinkable in China, even in major cities. Bottled water is easily available from supermarkets to hotels.
Giving a tip to tour guides is a common practice in China but other service staff in hotels, restaurants and taxi drivers in general do not expect a tip from tourists.
With evolving world situations that may occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters, pandemics/epidemics, conflicts and unrests, it is best to read up and keep tabs on news and developments at your destination country and region before the trip. Check on the country’s official website and/or your own foreign ministry website for any travel advisory or safety precautions to be taken while abroad.
As with traveling in anywhere in the world, regardless of the local crime rate, stay vigilant and take care of personal safety. Good to read up on any possible exposure in the country prior to departure.
It is a good practice to register with your respective foreign ministry if there is such a service provided to citizens, to contact you in order to make sure that you are safe and, if need be, assist you should an emergency (e.g. natural disasters, civil unrest, etc.) occur when you are overseas.
For Singaporeans, this is the link to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ eRegister:
https://eregister.mfa.gov.sg/eregisterportal/common/preLoginEregisterView.action
It is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive travel insurance(s), upon payment of your trip, to cover adverse situations that may occur while you are overseas or even before departure. Ensure that the coverage is suitable for your destination and the activities that you are participating in. Be familiar with the terms and conditions before purchasing and travelling abroad.
There is no compulsory vaccine to be taken to enter China. You should, however, be up to date on routine vaccinations, especially vaccines against water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (examples: hepatitis, typhoid and tuberculosis) while traveling to any destination. You are encouraged to consider having vaccinations before you travel. At least eight weeks before you depart, make an appointment with your doctor or travel clinic for a basic health check-up, and to discuss your travel plans and any implications for your health, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
Recommended routine vaccinations for travellers in general:
|
Hepatitis A |
Spread through consuming contaminated food and water or person to person through the faecal-oral route. Risk is higher where personal hygiene and sanitation are poor. |
|
Hepatitis B |
Spread through infected blood and blood products, contaminated needles and medical instruments and sexual intercourse. Risk is higher for those at occupational risk, long stays or frequent travel, children (exposed through cuts and scratches) and individuals who may need, or request, surgical procedures abroad. |
|
Rabies
|
Spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually through a bite, scratch or lick on broken skin. Particularly dogs and related species, but also bats. Risk is higher for those going to remote areas (who may not be able to promptly access appropriate treatment in the event of a bite), long stays, those at higher risk of contact with animals and bats, and children. Even when pre-exposure vaccine has been received, urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal or bat bite. |
|
Tetanus
|
Spread through contamination of cuts, burns and wounds with tetanus spores. Spores are found in soil worldwide. A primary series of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine is recommended for life. Boosters are usually recommended in a country or situation where the correct treatment of an injury may not be readily available. |
|
Typhoid Fever |
Spread mainly through consumption of contaminated food and drink. Risk is higher where access to adequate sanitation and safe water is limited. |
|
Influenza |
A vaccine specific for a given year to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. |
For more information and professional advice on travel vaccinations, please consult your doctor or travel clinic.
For people residing in Singapore, you may visit The Travellers’ Health and Vaccination Clinic (THVC) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital:
Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic
Address: Level 4, Clinic 4B, Tan Tock Seng Hospital Medical Centre
Contact number: 6357 2222
Website : https://www.ttsh.com.sg/Patients-and-Visitors/Medical-Services/Travellers-Health-and-Vaccination-Clinic/Pages/default.aspx.
