Live Streaming: Great Adventure in the Wilderness

Chapter 384: Chapter 382 Shattered Flags

Among the roadside rubble, tattered flags representing faith fluttered in the wind, firmly wedged between the stones, perhaps burying the dreams of some anonymous climber.

Expanses of snowy mountains reflected the dazzling orange glow of the sun, causing a temporary blinding effect for everyone, even casting doubt on their own vision—could there really be such a majestic mountain range in this world?

Seven days, a full seven days!

It took the party a whole seven days to finally reach Everest Base Camp!

They could have rested for an entire day in the small village below, but nobody could wait.

From soil to rock, from black to white, from warmth to bitter cold, it was all for this moment.

This moment!

Whether viewed from an overhead plane, gazed at from a distance, or looked up to from the foot of the mountain, there were three completely different ways of interacting with Goddess Peak. Its beauty seemed boundless; even missing just by a millimeter presented an entirely different vista.

The group stood on the edge of the snowline, gazing up at the sky.

Just at the snowline, the biting wind was bone-chilling, each breath felt like inhaling shards of ice, making it hard to imagine how cold and piercing the summit, three thousand meters above in vertical height, must be—the ultimate height of the world, the third pole of Earth!

“Hey, stop keeping a diary, what kind of serious person writes a diary?”

Crossing the snowline, Yao Jun teased Bi Fang for putting away his notebook and eagerly jogged onto level ground. When he saw the flag in front of him, he couldn’t help but stop, shielding his eyes from the sunlight, squinting, and curiously asking, “How long has it been planted here, looking so tattered like this?”

Rob, the team guide, hurried up from behind, and whether he truly understood the Chinese or just caught the mention of the flag, he said breathlessly, “Perhaps a few weeks, or maybe some months. I didn’t see it when I was here last year; I wonder if the owner of the flag was successful.”

“A few weeks? A few months?” Yao Jun, who had studied abroad, understood Rob’s words loud and clear. He was taken aback, even stepping back twice. Could a few weeks or months render a flag nearly torn into strips?

“The environment on Mount Everest is extremely harsh, especially on the south slope, which is known for heavy precipitation and oceanic monsoon climate characteristics. It’s common for the weather to be unpredictable even within the span of a single day, let alone throughout the seasons. Especially from mid-November to mid-February, when controlled by strong northwest cold currents, temperatures can drop to -60℃, with average temperatures ranging between -40℃ and -50℃. The maximum wind speed can reach 90 meters per second!”

Gasp for breath, Wang Yongbo caught up from the back of the group, took a sharp inhale when he heard this data, as the frigid air squeezed out all the warmth from his lungs, bringing a few more moments of clarity to his brain, his voice even distorting a bit, “Ninety meters per second?”

“Yes,” Bi Fang confirmed, nodding firmly, his brows furrowed tightly together as if he had already conjured the terrifying scenario in his mind.

Ninety meters per second!?

What did that even mean?

Wang Yongbo looked at Rob, noting the experienced guide’s serious expression. Saito, with his perennially impassive face, seemed even more frozen than before, immutably so.

Even Sir, accustomed to braving the stormiest seas, appeared somber, like facing an African Lion on the savannah.

But what did it really mean?

Wang Yongbo felt somewhat embarrassed, but seeing that no one seemed to take the initiative to explain and Bi Fang even started to move forward, he mustered the courage to ask awkwardly, “Is this wind… very strong?”

Bi Fang’s right foot, which he had just stepped out, subtly shifted as he coughed twice, then turned back to look at Wang Yongbo, his gaze filled with disbelief.

You don’t know?

“What the hell did you just inhale?”

“Was that deep breath just for dramatic effect?”

Facing Bi Fang’s lethal glare, Wang Yongbo felt so awkward he started picking at his foot, pointing at everyone and then at himself, “We’re over five thousand meters up here, isn’t it perfectly normal for me to be out of breath… You can’t expect me to be like you monsters.”

Indeed, everyone in the team had at least some basic hiking experience, even Jerret and his photographer who accompanied him had gold medals from the adventure channel—how could they not have hiked before?

Wang Yongbo was the only exception; he was here purely for the experience.

But Wang Yongbo did have a point; not everyone could adapt to altitudes over five thousand meters. At this height, many people dared not make sudden movements, even walking had to be done at a slower pace, or else the sense of oxygen deprivation would become very apparent. Wang Yongbo and Sir even occasionally used oxygen tanks.

At this point, viewers in the live stream were losing it with laughter. Étienne, who was thousands of miles away, laughed so hard he dropped his phone, hitting himself in the corner of his mouth. His teeth clashing against his lips, he cried out in pain.

[CEO Wang has me dying of laughter]

[You laugh at his ignorance of wind force levels, he laughs at your lack of financial freedom]

[To be fair, I don’t quite get it either, but it sounds impressive that’s for sure]

[I’ve been mountain climbing for so long, can’t I catch my breath?]

When Bi Fang turned his head to see the barrage of comments, he realized many viewers didn’t understand either and knew he had failed to explain things clearly. Previously overwhelmed by the majesty of the peak, he had forgotten about this. Many viewers were just ordinary people who had no understanding of these detailed classifications.

“A wind speed of ninety meters per second is equivalent to twice that of a category 16 typhoon. Any wind above level 12, we call it a typhoon or hurricane due to its immense destructive power, which is rarely seen on land. Moreover, natural wind forces sometimes exceed level 12. For example, the wind strength in the eye of a severe typhoon, or inside a tornado, can be much greater than level 12—it’s just that winds above level 12 are rare and usually aren’t specifically categorized. Level 16 corresponds to winds over 51 meters per second, which can uproot large trees and completely destroy brick houses.”

“Bear in mind, the largest acid rain cloud ever discovered on Venus spans over 7,500 kilometers and has existed there since 1983, but its wind speed is only around ninety meters per second.”

With this comparison, it was much easier for everyone to understand.

[Holy crap, that’s terrifying!]

[Is this one of the reasons planes can’t fly over Mount Everest?]

“That’s one reason, yes. If it was just about altitude, then even commercial airliners could reach it, as they typically fly above ten thousand meters, but they cannot land. Planes can only cruise at high altitudes. If they were to land, they would need to slow down, which means deploying flaps to increase lift. However, when the plane’s speed is low at the altitude of Mount Everest, it’s impossible to maneuver the flaps due to the plane’s structure. That prevents the plane from slowing down, making it unable to land. Moreover, because of structural strength limitations, deploying the landing gear at high speeds would cause it to break off. And at low speeds, there isn’t enough lift to keep the plane airborne.

If you’re thinking about parachuting, that’s impossible too because the oxygen levels aren’t sufficient, and due to pressure differences, the plane can’t depressurize. At that altitude, anyone would die from lack of oxygen. And this applies to everyone, even those who have climbed Mount Everest because the rapid change in air pressure is too much to adapt to quickly. Plus, the weather conditions are extremely harsh, making it totally unsuitable for landing. Avalanches, valley winds—winds so strong you can’t imagine. Strong enough to flip over the world’s largest passenger jet, the A380. If all 6 billion people on Earth jumped at once, maybe a few unlucky souls would land on the summit… and then freeze to death.”

[What about helicopters then? What about them?]

“Helicopters won’t work either. They rely on the rotation of their rotors to generate downward force in order to ascend. But above five thousand meters, the pressure is too low to provide enough force. Even if you increased the revolutions, with the current designs, it’s still very hard to achieve it. Also, higher altitude airflows are complex, making it difficult for helicopters to control direction. They can easily collide with the mountain and crash. That’s why summiting high mountains remains a badge of honor for the brave, a glory for a lifetime.”

“Alright, let’s hurry up and move on. Now that we’ve reached the snowline, don’t forget to put on your sunglasses to prevent snow blindness. I taught everyone how to do this back in Mohe. If you don’t have any, you can also use strips of cloth or charcoal ash to cover your eyes,” said Bi Fang as he took off his sunglasses and continued to move forward.

Soon, the group arrived at the base camp, and contrary to expectations, it was filled with tents and, to their dismay, littered with garbage in many corners!

Colorful plastic bags and torn pieces of fabric looked especially unsightly against the background of the pristine Mount Everest!

[Wow, there are really a lot of rich people here]

[If I threw a brick backhanded into this, I’d kill a millionaire on the spot]

[Master Fang caught the brick with a backhanded grab and threw it back, Zhang San: “This is self-defense!”]

[Damn, why is there so much trash?]

[Right? Throwing garbage on Mount Everest, do they have any sense of public morality?]

Bi Fang looked at Edinburgh but found that the latter was not as emotional as he had imagined.

Sir’s expression was calm, as if he had already witnessed thousands of similar scenes: “Since we, as creatures, came to this planet, we have cut down, dug out, burned, and poisoned other life forms. And today, we are committing the same atrocities on an unprecedented scale. A hundred years ago, the Earth had only 1.5 billion people. Now, our fragile planet is overwhelmed with over 6 billion people. Yet even so, there are still some places on Earth that are rarely touched by humans. With the commercialization of Everest, this scene was almost predictable.”

The guide Rob, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly changed the subject and led the group straight into a large tent adorned with their company’s logo.

The group followed closely. Upon entering the sturdy tent, a warm stream of air instantly hit their frost-reddened faces, quickly melting and evaporating the ice crystals.

“Holy shit, this is too awesome.”

Yao Jun was the first to enter, took a deep breath immediately, and compared to the piercing cold wind outside, he had the idea of just staying here and not going out again. Compared to the harsh environment outside, this place was simply heaven.

“Wait a moment, I’ll take the others to find their guides.” After settling Bi Fang and the others, Rob immediately left with Wessels and others to find their actual guides.

Bi Fang, meanwhile, wandered around to inspect the inside of the tent, which was really impressive.

The biomass pellet stove provided a continuous supply of heat, keeping the whole tent toasty warm, and there were fluffy blankets that even looked brand new.

In the corner, there was quite an assortment of instant foods, as well as fresh ones like potatoes and tomatoes, and even an oxygen generator. One could say you get what you pay for; 65,000 Ugly Knives was indeed expensive, but the guarantee was solid.

The group, after climbing the mountain all day, lay down on the blankets, feeling so comfortable they thought they might die.

Taking advantage of Rob’s absence, the group took the chance to rest. About half an hour later, Rob returned, having successfully seen off Wessels and the others, and he began to organize everyone for a chat, talking about their personal journeys and the like. This was what’s called psychological guidance, something almost every qualified guide did. The goal was to counsel everyone so they could face Everest with a peaceful mind.

If below the base camp there could still be some merriment, beyond it was a completely different world—rugged paths, cold climate, howling winds, and glaciers hidden under the snow layer—all of which were potentially fatal.

Bi Fang lifted the curtain to check the sky and saw that there was still some time until sunset, so he took the opportunity to suggest going out to have a look.

Everyone naturally agreed, and Rob, checking the time, also agreed happily.

“I remember there is a pass above the base camp, not far away and only less than a hundred meters high. We should be able to reach the pass before it gets dark and then come back.”

With that, everyone immediately became excited.

“A pass is a common feature on the plateau, generally a conspicuous saddle-shaped depression on a mountain ridge, often serving as a passageway through high ridges. It is very suitable as a platform to look out from on a mountain.”

With a destination in mind, Bi Fang and the others immediately set off, leaving only Wang Yongbo, who was huffing and puffing, and Sir, who was too tired, inside the tent.

As they left the tent and moved away from the base camp, Bi Fang had a discovery and immediately stopped everyone.

“Hey, it’s a Tibetan Snowcock!”

Tibetan Snowcock?

Rob and the others were taken aback, and when they looked towards the direction Bi Fang was pointing, they saw nothing. It wasn’t until they stared for several minutes that they could make out some small creatures moving among the rocks.

The photographer adjusted the camera and aimed at the Tibetan snowcock.

Rob was shocked on the spot, his gaze uncontrollably shifting towards Bi Fang. How on Earth did this guy spot it?

Moreover, ever since they passed four thousand meters, Rob had been seriously watching the livestreamer he thought was silly. Yet everything he observed was shocking.

With no experience in climbing, yet showing no signs of altitude sickness even above five thousand meters at the base camp.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Lacking mountaineering background, yet he had a grasp of climbing knowledge as if it were instinct.

How is that possible?

Had this guy hidden some kind of record?

Is this motherfucker really a livestreamer?

“Tibetan snowcock? Where’s the chicken? Can you eat it?” Yao Jun perked up upon hearing about a chicken. The road food had all been fried noodles, fried rice, noodle soup, and steamed buns. Initially, he was excited about these meals and would take photos to remember. But later, the very mention of food made him nauseous.

“Eat your head,” Bi Fang rolled his eyes, truly speechless, “Even though they’re not endangered globally, they are a Class II protected species in our country. If you eat one in front of me, where would I put my face?”

Yao Jun sneered upon learning it was a protected animal, “But this is Nepal, isn’t it?”

The corner of Bi Fang’s mouth twitched, as he realized the logic was sound, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words. Then he changed tack, “Even if you caught it, you couldn’t eat it. Here above five thousand meters, you simply can’t boil anything. You wouldn’t be able to eat it.”

“We could roast it. Wasn’t there a roast oven in the tent just now?” Yao Jun said matter-of-factly.

Bi Fang: “…”

[Damn, it’s rare to see Old Fang lose face]

[666, no wonder he’s the top-ranked bro, made Master Fang lose face just by opening his mouth]

[It’s time to call Sir Edinburgh!!]

[Sir, you’ve been chosen, replace Master Fang!]

[Are there still animals above five thousand meters?]

“Hey hey hey, how can you forget your old love as soon as you find a new one?” Bi Fang said with an incredulous spread of his hands before pointing at the Tibetan snowcock hiding in the rocks not far away, “Tibetan snowcocks typically dwell between the tree line and the snow line at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to about 6,000 meters. They live in alpine shrublands, tundras, and rock grounds. Perfectly matching our location, they often forage near the snow line, prefer to congregate and are usually found in small groups of three to five individuals.”

The audience’s attention was immediately drawn, and they counted the moving pebbles, finding exactly five, just as Master Fang had described.

Awesome!

“The Tibetan snowcock is similar in size to domestic chickens and has grey and white mottled feathers. The wings are mostly dark grey while the abdomen is predominantly white. This coloration helps them blend into the ground when they lay down, making them less noticeable to predators. This is their way of surviving. Moreover, Tibetan snowcocks from different regions hatch in different durations. According to “Chinese Ornithology,” it takes 27 days in Tibet, 26 days in Xinjiang, and 19-22 days in Gansu.”

“You might think they’re just chickens, but these animals…” Just as Bi Fang crouched down, ready to inch closer and explain, a piercing scream interrupted him.

“Help!!”