Steps to Acquiring a Mountaineering Certificate: Application Process and Requirements first shown on Tour Travel Tibet

Nowadays, an increasing number of outdoor and mountaineering enthusiasts are venturing into high-altitude climbing. 5,000 meters marks the starting point for this challenging activity, and reaching the summit successfully grants individuals a mountaineering certificate. Novices often wonder about the application process for mountaineering and obtaining the certificate. Let’s delve into the steps involved in acquiring a mountaineering certificate.

First, familiarize yourself with mountaineering permits.

A mountaineering Permit, also referred to as an “Approval Letter”, is issued by the national sports bureau to authorize mountaineering activities. In China, mountaineering is regulated by the National Sports Bureau. As per the bureau’s “Domestic Mountaineering Management Measures”, the advance application is mandatory and mountaineering can proceed only after obtaining approval. The mountaineering permit grants approval for the applied mountaineering activities.

The mountaineering permit applies to independent peaks above 5,000 meters in the Tibet Autonomous Region and 3,500 meters in other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities under the Central Government. Peaks such as Wugong Mountain and Xiaowutai Mountain do not require a climbing permit. Having a mountaineering permit allows for official recognition of summit achievements and prevents interference from law enforcement agencies.

Meet the eligibility requirements for mountaineering

According to China’s current “Domestic Mountaineering Management Measures”, applicants for mountaineering activities must meet the following conditions:

1. Initiated by a legally recognized unit;
2. A team of at least two members who have completed basic training in mountaineering knowledge, skills, and physical fitness organized by provincial mountaineering associations;
3. Supported by qualified mountaineering coaches or mountain guides, with one coach or guide allowed to lead up to four team members.
4. All team members must undergo a physical examination at a second-level or higher hospital and be free from any medical conditions that could impede their participation;
5. Equipped with necessary gear and supplies for cold protection, communication, survival, and medical treatment, meeting all safety requirements.

Among the application qualifications, it is notable that Article 1 stipulates that only entities with legal person qualifications, typically companies, can apply for mountaineering activities. This means that individuals cannot apply for mountaineering activities. Article 3 clearly states that qualified mountaineering guides must participate in activities and specifies the guide-to-team members ratio.

Application for qualification requiring guidance

Under China’s “Domestic Mountaineering Management Measures,” the materials necessary for applying for mountaineering activities are

1. Application form;
2. Legal person qualification certificate of the initiator;
3. List of team members and their mountaineering resumes;
4. Qualification certificate of the mountaineering coach or mountain guide;
5. Mountaineering plan;
6. Equipment list;
7. Additional required documents.

In the application process, the Boarding Association or local sports bureau generally require the following materials (as required by the Boarding Association of Sichuan Province):

• Business license copy (the company’s business scope requirements are not strict, meaning approval is possible even if mountaineering is not involved)
• Legal person ID card copy
• Organization code certificate copy
• Mountaineering plan itinerary (including leader’s name, phone number, and team member list with ID card numbers)
• Equipment list (including necessary communication equipment)
• Insurance policy (including coordinators)
• Second-level hospital physical examination certificate
• Guide qualification (cooperation certificate copy)
• Emergency plan
• Mountaineering resume (summit certificate or certificate of ascent, if available)
• Regarding the business license:

Application process

To obtain a mountaineering permit, complete the necessary qualifications and materials, and then submit an application to either the Sports Bureau or the Climbing Association. The application process is governed by the “Domestic Mountaineering Management Measures,” which include the following provisions:

1. To climb the announced peaks, the initiator of mountaineering activities must apply to the provincial sports administrative department where the peak is located one month prior to the activity.
2. To climb unannounced peaks, the initiator of mountaineering activities should submit an application to the provincial sports administrative department where the peak is located three months prior to the implementation of the activity.
3. Mountain climbing at province, autonomous region, and municipality junctions requires approval from the respective sports administrative departments. In case of disputes, the General Administration of Sports of China will make the final decision.
4. To climb peaks above 7,000 meters, mountaineers must seek special approval from the State Sports General Administration three months prior to the activity.
5. In the bidding process, submit applications to the Sports Bureau and boarding associations, which offer agency services. Note that peaks above 7,000 meters and unclimbed peaks require submitting applications 3 months prior.

Obtaining the mountaineering pass post-summit ascent.

To prove reaching the summit, get within 10-15m of the mountain’s highest point. Use photos, videos, physical evidence, or witnesses. Here’s how to show you’ve reached the top. Photos or videos taken at the summit are the most convincing proof. They should have a clear background that reflects the mountain’s topography, not just the sky. Including photos of the journey or camp will further enhance credibility.

Confirmation of summit achievements can come from guides, climbers, or respected certifications. Clouds and fog make markers and route descriptions important. In 1786, Balma and Packard climbed Mont Blanc without photos but confirmed it the next year. The Piolet d’Or Awards require summit photos, climbing reports, and route descriptions. Proofs like photos, maps, and descriptions establish new routes. Ueli Steck’s rope-free ascent of the Eiger in 2 hours and 47 minutes is indisputable evidence, while climbers without proof raise doubts about their use of ropes.

Mount Everest Advance Base Camp Trekking

Mount Everest is the highest mountain (8,848 meters), located on the international border between China and Nepal. It has two base camps, South Base Camp (5,364m) in Nepal and North Base Camp (5,150m) in Tibet. The north camp in particular attracts many international tourists and experienced mountaineers annually.

Foreign tourists enjoy climbing Mount Everest and undertaking the Everest Base Camp (EBC) trek. Prior to doing so, they must apply for a minimum of three permits.

1. Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit – TTB permit

A TTB permit is essential for foreign tourists wishing to visit Tibet. It is obtained through a local travel agency in Tibet.

2. Frontier Pass

The Frontier Pass is the official document for travellers visiting the Tibet border. It can be obtained through the Armed Police Tibet Frontier Corps in Lhasa. Without this pass, foreign travellers are not allowed to visit EBC or travel to Nepal via the Zhangmu border. Even if you fly from Lhasa to Kathmandu, you must present this pass at the airport. The application process takes about 1.5 hours and requires specific documents:

3. Aliens’ Travel Permit ( PSB permit )

A PSB permit is required for travelling to restricted areas outside Lhasa, including Mt. Everest. This permit is necessary to reach the Everest Base Camp. It can be obtained at either the Foreign Affairs Office in Lhasa or in Shigatse.

4. Mountaineering License

If you plan to visit places higher than the EBC, such as Advanced Base Camp (ABC, 6,500 meters) and Rongpuk Glacier, you must obtain a Mountaineering License from the Tibet Mountaineering Association and hire a professional climbing coordinator. As a local Tibet travel agency, we offer a comprehensive service to handle all necessary permit applications for your Tibet tour. Simply provide us with your personal information, passport, and China Visa. If you are planning a tour of EBC, please feel free to contact us. We can customize your Tibet and EBC tours.

Official Website for Permit

The post Steps to Acquiring a Mountaineering Certificate: Application Process and Requirements appeared first on Tour Travel Tibet.