Together with the Beijing International Sports Film Week, Kendal China hosted the “Kendal Adventure Base Camp” and “Sharing Salon on Kendal Adventurer Spirit” with the theme of “Snow-capped Mountain on Doorstep” from April 25 to 27, 2023 at the Beijing Film Market held in the Langyuan Station.

This year marks the 9th anniversary of the Kendal Mountain Festival’s entry into China. Kendal China established cooperation with the BJIFF, and worked together with the Beijing International Sports Film Week on exploration and trials of “film + outdoors”.

Kendal China is able to reach vaster range of groups through the outdoor-themed exhibition, and present outdoor sports, culture and lifestyle to more people by means of films.

　　

　　

Meanwhile, the Kendal Adventure Base Camp offers a rich variety of exhibits, such as introduction to films and guests at previous editions of the Kendal Mountain Festival, new itineraries and best sellers of iKen+, a Kendal’s brand.

　　

　

Moreover, the “Sharing Salon on Kendal Adventurer Spirit” organized by Kendal China appealed to the theme. At the first salon held on April 25, the After Antarctica, Best Adventure & Exploration Film of the 2021 Kendal Mountain Festival, was screened. The film follows the footsteps of a joint scientific expedition of six countries, namely China, USA, UK, France, Japan and Soviet Union, to cross the Antarctic by foot and dog sled for the first time in mankind’s history from 1989 to 1990, when the Antarctic Treaty has been signed for 30 years. The group of scientific explorers raised awareness and protection of the Antarctica with actual action and caused another 25 countries to sign the Antarctic Treaty.

　　

The salon also invited Wen Xu, young Chinese scientific explorer, and Hu Jiaojiao, Co-founder of the environmental protection organization—Polar Hub, to share their insights. Wen Xu has completed the world’s first solo hiking journey from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole in 58 days, traversing 1,500 kilometers without any assistance or supplies. That would not be possible without full support of Hu Jiaojiao, his wife and expedition manager. Their experience sharing gave the audience a more comprehensive understanding of Polar exploration and the relationship between Polar regions and us.

　　

　　

The salon held on April 26 screened five of the selection of the 2023 Kendal Mountain Festival, including the highlight film Free as Can Be. A veteran climber in his 60s partners with a 26-year-old young climber in climbing the EL Capitan, known as one of the hardest routes, and they become good friends despite great difference in age.

　　

At the salon, Zizi, founder of Kendal China, shared the climbing achievements and experience of Zhou Peng and He Chuan, two veteran athletes and leading climbers in China.

　　

As for the film Free as Can Be, He Chuan commented, “It is lifetime luck to meet a partner who trusts and gets along well with each other!”

　

There were a lot of climbing enthusiasts on the site, who shared with the audience the status quo of climbing around China, the importance of climbing partners, and why they go climbing and outdoor adventure from the perspective of climbing enthusiasts and professionals.

Life rather than outdoors is an adventure. For people who love the outdoors, the rain and storm they weather in the outdoors, and rewards they gain through action and scenic view they see make contrast against life. The greatest charm of mountain films lies in the love for life and nature as well as genuine humanity that people show in extreme environments.