"Never Go... Lost and Survived by Eating Toothpaste" Chinese Man Rescued After Ten Days

Climbing Despite Entry Ban
Fined About 16 Million Won After Rescue

A teenage Chinese male who got lost in mountainous terrain during a climb was safely rescued after ten days. It is known that he survived by melting snow to drink water and eating toothpaste. Recently, Chinese media such as Jimu News and Tencent News reported the story of a teenage male who went missing while climbing a mountainous area so treacherous that entry is prohibited. The 18-year-old Xiao Song climbed the Aotai Xianshan in Shanxi Province alone on the 8th, where the average altitude is about 2,500 meters. This area is famous for its diverse flora and fauna and wildlife, but due to its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, it is considered one of the five most challenging hiking courses in China.

A Chinese teenage boy who got lost in mountainous terrain during a climb was safely rescued after ten days. It is reported that he survived by melting snow to drink water and eating toothpaste. Jimu News

Over the past 20 years, more than 50 climbers have gone missing or died in this area. Accordingly, local authorities banned climbers from entering the area in 2018 and impose administrative sanctions on violators. Two days after starting his climb, Xiao Song’s electronic device batteries died, cutting off contact with his family. Lost, he walked downstream along a creek but fell several times, fracturing his right arm. When his emergency food supplies ran out, he had to survive on melted snow and toothpaste until just before rescue. To shelter from the biting wind, he laid down behind a large rock on dry straw and leaves to rest.

The search and rescue team, dispatched after reports from his family, dramatically found Xiao Song on the 17th. At that time, Xiao Song was making smoke by lighting a fire and shouting for help, which the search team detected and safely rescued him. Having been deeply into hiking for a year, he explained, "I have successfully climbed three famous snowy mountains in China," and added, "I did not know about the entry ban on Aotai Xianshan."

After being rescued from the mountain, he posted on his social media, "This area is completely unsuitable for climbing. The wind was so strong that even with two hiking sticks, I could barely stand. There was so much snow that it was hard to open my eyes." He also said, "There is no picturesque scenery, and the weather changes suddenly," and urged, "To all mountaineers attempting the Aotai course, please remember that life is precious, so never go there."

Meanwhile, more than 30 rescue workers were mobilized to save Xiao Song. According to relevant laws, Xiao Song’s family had to pay a fine of 80,000 yuan (approximately 16 million Korean won). The rescue team emphasized the dangers of the Aotai course, stating, "Fines are imposed to deter potential climbers," and "On this course, you may encounter dangerous wild animals such as bears and wild boars, and some rescue team members were injured during the operation."