Blind Qomolangma summitter shares inner strength at Yangmei Community

The second session of the “Yangmei Talk·Beyond the Summit” series was held on the afternoon of May 16 at the Vanke Mall in Bantian’s Yangmei Community, Longgang District.

Centered on the themes of life, darkness, and perseverance, the event drew an audience of nearly 50.

Titled “The Invisible Summit,” the event featured guest speaker Zhang Hong, the first blind climber from Asia to conquer Mount Qomolangma and the inspiration behind the acclaimed film The Invisible Summit.

The audience listens intently as Zhang Hong shares his story. Photos courtesy of Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association

Zhang recalled losing his sight unexpectedly at the age of 21. A chance conversation with a coach from the Tibet Mountaineering Team planted a pivotal question in his mind: Could a blind person climb Mount Qomolangma? That spark of curiosity eventually forged a resolute mission — to become the first blind Chinese climber to stand on top of the world.

For the next two years, Zhang faced a grueling reality: no funding, no team, and no professional training facilities. His daily training routine became a solitary, repetitive test of endurance, involving weighted stair-climbing sessions that began every morning at 4 a.m.

However, as his resolve hardened, support began to pour in from all corners. Through hospital assistance, outdoor brand sponsorships, and public crowdfunding, his dream slowly began to take shape.

On May 24, 2021, exactly 20 years to the day after Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind person to summit Qomolangma, Zhang reached the peak, etching his own name into history.

During the talk, Zhang also introduced his latest exploration: blind painting. Sharing his journey into ink wash painting, he referenced the philosophy that "the brush is the one" from which all things arise. For him, painting is a medium to translate the deepest feelings and insights of his heart onto paper.

The event also featured an exhibition of 15 "blind paintings" created by Zhang. Defined by touch and raw emotion, these works, characterized by powerful, confident brushstrokes, deeply moved the audience. They are more than just art, they serve as a window through which the sighted can glimpse the rich and vibrant inner world of a blind artist.

A selection of Zhang Hong’s paintings on display.

The “Yangmei Talk · Beyond the Summit” series aims to bring this uplifting spirit into daily life and local communities. It serves as a powerful reminder that anyone who refuses to bow to life’s pressures, and anyone who continues to chase distant horizons amidst the ordinary is a hero of their own life.

The event was hosted by the Party Committee of the Yangmei Community, organized by the Shenzhen Mountaineering and Outdoor Sports Association, and supported by the Vanke Mall.