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Although the July 1st Glacier is operated as a tourist feature, you are effectively on your own if something goes wrong up here. There is no emergency response plan at the entrance gateway and only the most basic first aid kit. They do have a supply of oxygen at the gate and if requested, someone will accompany you to the glacier. Note that in the event of an emergency, someone will have to go down to the gate (about 3km away) before help can even set off - cellphones do not work in this area!
Despite local people coming up here in high-heeled shoes and T-shirts, take this trip seriously.
See Parts II and III for specific safety advice.
Updated Feb 17, 2006
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- The oxygen is thin up here, and it is a 600 metre vertical distance up from the car park to the terminal moraine. Allow 90 minutes to walk the 2 kilometres: the last 250 metres seems to take for ever, with stops for breath every 20 paces. Now you know why mountaineers walk so damn slowly and why some climbers simply canot make the last 'ridiculously small' distances from the summit of big mountains. This is hard work!
- If the weather looks as if it might change, get away and down fast. The temperature can drop by huge amounts in a short time.
- In the event of an emergency, provide any extra clothing to the injured person and get back to the gate for help. It willtake at least three hours before the person is returned to the gate and there are NO helicopter rescue services here!
The July 1st Glacier is a spectacular trip, but remember that more than in most situations in China, you relly are responsble for your own safety here. Local atitudes towards safety are ambivalent, and other tourists may even laugh at your precautions, but if something goes wrong (and at 4,500 metres on a remote glacier) caution is essential.
Written Feb 17, 2006
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- Wear winter clothing! In mid September the temperature here was minus 7 degrees (it was 32 degrees in Jiayuguan when I set off) with a 20km wind blowing. Wear thermals and proper hiking boots and take a proper hat - not a baseball cap.
- Do not go alone. If you fall on or around the glacier, you may not be discovered for days.
- Sign in at the gate, so that the staff know you are there. You have to pay, so when you do, make yourself "obvious"so they will remember you!
- The terminal and lateral moraines are composed of huge boulders and it is all shattered rock, so extremely sharp. Stay on the path. If you need to go onto the glacier itself (and who can resist this?!), take care cambering over these boulders. It will take much longer than it looks to get to the glacier.
- Cross the stream at the side of the glacier and get onto the ice surface surface. Flash floods, which can happen if there is a slight change of temperature high up above you, will cause the water to rise from a trickle to a two metre deep torrent within seconds (I have seen this in Iceland and it is frightening to see how fast it happens). You will not survive if this happens: your body will be recovered 30km downstream.
- On the glacier, stay near the edge unless you are fully roped up and know what you are doing. This is not melodramatic, this is a serious glacier, not a theme park. There are deep crevasses all over. There is a clear downdip about 120 metres from the snout whwre there are almost inevitably going to be crevasses as the ice changes altitude.
Written Feb 17, 2006
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Reviews and photos of Jingtieshan attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Jingtieshan sightseeing.
- Wear winter clothing! In mid September the temperature here was minus 7 degrees (it was 32 degrees in Jiayuguan when I set off) with a 20km wind blowing. Wear...
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