K2, known as the “Savage Mountain,” towers over a range of icy peaks in Pakistan, standing at an impressive 8,611 meters above sea level. Throughout history, this mountain has captivated countless climbers, yet only a select few have managed to reach its summit. Despite its reputation for severe weather and demanding conditions, K2 remains a coveted challenge for serious mountaineers.
One such mountaineer is Yolanda Xue Chen, a 37-year-old originally from China who has made Fiji her home for the past decade. Last month, she achieved her goal of summiting K2, overcoming numerous obstacles along the way. Describing K2 as her “dream mountain,” Ms. Chen expressed that this peak represents the aspirations of many climbers.
“As a woman, we are climbing just like men do on the mountain. I wanted to demonstrate that women can be just as strong as men on K2,” she stated.
An athlete with the China Adventure Association, Ms. Chen’s passion for mountaineering began with trekking, which introduced her to the Himalayas and ignited her desire to conquer the world’s towering peaks. This adventure led her towards the “eight-thousanders,” a group of 14 mountains surpassing 8,000 meters in elevation. K2 marks her sixth successful summit among these giants; she has previously reached the peaks of Manaslu, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Kanchenjunga, and Everest.
The journey to the summit is fraught with dangers, including health risks and the challenges that come with ascending into the “death zone” above 8,000 meters, where the lack of oxygen poses a serious threat. As a result, many climbers resort to using supplemental oxygen, a decision that can complicate their ascent due to the weight of the equipment involved.
Ms. Chen acknowledged the impact her climbing pursuits have on her family, noting their concerns for her safety due to the inherent risks of extreme sports. Limited communication while on the mountain makes it even more difficult for her loved ones.
In preparation for her expeditions, Ms. Chen trains rigorously at home, ensuring she is physically fit to tackle the demands of climbing. This year’s expedition to K2 was particularly challenging, as she joined an international team facing tough weather conditions. After a long wait at base camp, the team made their summit push on July 24 and successfully reached the peak on July 28.
On the day of her summit, Ms. Chen experienced unprecedented good weather, with calm winds and sunshine. She expressed immense joy at standing on top of K2, especially since she had brought the Fijian flag with her, bringing her to tears.
Throughout her climb, Ms. Chen encountered several memorable moments, including the time she gave her oxygen tank to a teammate in distress. Notably, she summited without supplemental oxygen but felt ill on the descent, suffering from headaches and nausea.
Tragedy struck during her climb when two Japanese climbers, who had taken a different route to summit K2, lost their lives. Moments like these, while heartbreaking, are unfortunately common in the world of mountaineering, and Ms. Chen has faced her own precarious situations, including a close call with an avalanche while attempting to climb Dhaulagiri in Nepal in 2022.
Despite the known dangers, Ms. Chen remains hopeful. Her future goal is to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, and she is passionate about raising awareness on climate change. “Where there is a challenge, there is motivation,” she noted, emphasizing her aspiration to inspire and lead Fijians in climbing the world’s highest peaks.
When not climbing, Ms. Chen enjoys reading, cooking for her family, and caring for her pets. She finds joy in both the thrill of the mountains and the comfort of home, noting the bittersweet cycle of excitement and longing that comes with her adventurous spirit.