As a part of the ongoing program LANXESS Summiteers in China, five Chinese mountain climbers arrived in Italy on February 13 to join Thomas Bubendorfer, one of the world's best known solo climbers, for an intensive training in Mont Blanc, which is known for its steep snow slopes, difficult ice faces and hanging glaciers. 

The two-week training on this famous peak of the Alps is aimed at helping the Chinese climbers to improve their climbing skills, safety techniques, and at the same time make preparations for a daunting climbing task that some of them will take in the World Roof Tibet two months later.

The training marks the start of the 2012 program of this joint summiteers project. Exclusively sponsored by LANXESS, the two-year project has brought together the best climbers from China and Europe to jointly summit some of the most demanding mountains in Tibet. And before each expedition, trainings are organized in the Alps.

Last year, the joint team successfully scaled two unclimbed mountains in Tibet, both of which are above 6,000 meters. And this year, they planned to summit another unclimbed Tibetan mountain that is even more demanding.

"It is our honor to be able to support such an exciting and meaningful program that builds bridges for intercultural exchange and enhances the friendship between China and Europe," said Martin Kraemer, CEO of LANXESS Greater China.

According to Bubendorfer and his team of safety experts, the current training will focus on mountain climbing skills such as rescue from crevasses, judging snow conditions, avoiding avalanches, as well as safety techniques when climbing in teams. "Improving climbing skills will also be part of the training, but the main focus lies on safety," said Bubendorfer. "Only by improving the safety techniques, can the sport of mountaineering be driven forward."

Among the five Chinese climbers joining the training, two are university students. Both are active members of their universities' mountain clubs. The other three are all veteran mountain climbers including two from China Mountain Association (CMA) and one from Beijing Extreme Experience. Li Fuqing, from CMA, is the one who escorted the Olympic Torch onto the top of Mountain Everest in 2008. 

During the two weeks, Chinese climbers will learn to improve the use of modern climbing safety standards on high mountains and in exposed terrain, in snow and frozen waterfalls. They will also learn Bubendorfer's scientific physical training courses, as well as to gain an insight into some of the latest technical equipment.

"I was thrilled when I received the invitation to participate LANXESS Summiteers in China," said Yao Yuanhua, one of the participating climbers. "I can't wait to take the training with all these top mountain climbers especially with Thomas Bubendorfer. He is such an experienced technical climber. I am also keen to improve my safety techniques like how to read the clues when a snowpack is unstable as well as clues to weather and terrain."

The program is in close cooperation with China Mountain Association (CMA). Wang Yongfeng, the most renowned Chinese mountain climber, also the captain of China National Mountaineering Team, has given his full support to it.

Intercultural involvement has long been an important part of LANXESS corporate responsibility. The specialty chemicals company, with its premium products, is playing an increasingly important role also in the sports equipment market. Its high performance rubbers and high-tech polyamides are used in producing mountaineering gear and equipment such as clothing, boots and ropes.