Hu Jiaping and Liu Zhixiong died November 29 while descending from Siguniang (6,250m). The two had just climbed a difficult route on the south face. (Their goal was a new line, but it is thought they may have repeated Free Spirits, the line climbed in 2009 by Yan Dongdong and Zhou Peng.) After summiting they failed to appear at base camp by the time their porters arrived. This triggered a search, and the bodies were discovered on the glacier below the face.

Hu Jiaping (b. 1983) prepared climbing courses, instructed beginners, and took part in indoor competitions in Shanghai. In 2011 he summited Gang Pushkar in the Qilian mountains via a new route, and in 2012 he made an attempt on Xiao Gongga. In 2013 he made a single- push attempt on Tianhaizi with Liu Zhixiong. Liu (b. 1988) started climbing at college in 2007, eventually redpointing 5.12d and onsighting 5.12a. In 2012, alpine terrain became his new playground, and he subsequently climbed Jianzi Shan, Lierenfeng, and Abi.

Chen Ting and Wu Xiaojiang, China, translated by Xia Zhongming