On October 24, Canadian premium outdoor brand ARC’TERYX officially kicked off its 2024 Climb Academy in Yangshuo, China. Mountaineers and rock climbers from around the world gathered at this renowned climbing destination to participate in the annual climbing event, embarking on a “vertical evolution journey.”
In 2023, Arc’teryx held its Climb Academy in Yangshuo for the first time, establishing this location as a key international site, alongside Chamonix, France, and Squamish, Canada. This year, the Yangshuo Mountain Classroom has been fully upgraded, offering a more diverse and systematic curriculum, led by an expanded international team of instructors, to align with global standards.
Arc’teryx athletes He Chuan and Qi Kemin (Feisha) recently completed climbs on the “Six Great North Faces of the Alps” over 38 days, marking a significant milestone as the first Chinese climbers to achieve this pinnacle in modern mountaineering. The opening ceremony featured the film Pilgrimage Journey, documenting their ascent, and He Chuan shared his experiences with the climbing community on-site.
On the first day, Han Han completed his first outdoor climb at the Arc’teryx Mountain Classroom. Engaging in a dialogue with He Chuan, he reflected on the spirit of climbing—constantly striving upwards and pushing personal boundaries—and expressed a desire to continue participating, evolving as a climbing enthusiast. Han Han’s career, spanning writing, racing, and directing, parallels climbers’ pursuit of freedom and self-limit challenges.
Top Image: Han Han (left) and He Chuan (right)
Top Image: Xu Wei performing at the Arc’teryx Climb Academy
At the Climb Academy’s main site, Arc’teryx showcased the Alpha SV jacket’s four major product upgrades and remarkable climbing achievements by mountaineers equipped with Arc’teryx gear. Piolet d’Or 2023 winner Quentin Roberts attended the event (image below) and shared a detailed account of his experience surviving an avalanche in the Canadian Rockies, an event that prompted him to reevaluate his climbing journey and the risks involved. Over the years, Roberts has collaborated extensively with the Arc’teryx design team on product development. He now plays a crucial role within the team, leading the development of a key new product.
Top Image: Giant Alpha SV sculpture displayed at the Arc’teryx Climb Academy
Arc’teryx also presented the workflow of its ReBIRD™ Workshop, which repurposes waste materials to create new products. Collaborating brands, including U.S. functional fabric producer GORE-TEX, Italian rubber sole manufacturer Vibram, Italian climbing shoe brand LA SPORTIVA, and French outdoor gear brand PETZL, showcased their iconic products and partnerships with Arc’teryx.
The Arc’teryx International Climbing and Mountain Classroom has received strong recognition from the Chinese climbing community. National Team climber Pan Yufei attended, and numerous international students joined, experiencing pure climbing spirit on the cliffs.
Top Image: Pan Yufei experiencing a bouldering route at the Arc’teryx Climb Academy
In Luxe.CO’s “Sports and Outdoor Brands Power Ranking” for Spring/Summer 2024, Arc’teryx ranked in the “Top 5 in Marketing.” Following rapid growth in the Chinese market, Arc’teryx has intensified its focus on marketing in professional contexts, reinforcing its multidimensional strategy to strengthen its brand moat.
In May, Arc’teryx announced support for the China Mountaineering Development Institute (CMDI), a program resuming after a decade, aimed at training professional climbers and mountain guides to advance Chinese mountaineering. Arc’teryx also launched the “World-Class Climbing Site Project” to develop top-grade climbing routes, including a 5.15 route in Shegeng Chuandong, Fengshan, Guangxi.
In August, Arc’teryx released the Observation Report on the Development of Chinese Rock Climbing, reviewing the history of Chinese climbing from 1987 to 2024.
From February to August, Arc’teryx held “Arc’teryx Academy” sessions in locations including Beijing Baihe Valley, Chengdu Hemingshan, Shenzhen Nan’ao Peninsula, Zhejiang Xinchang Baizhangyan, Sichuan Leshan Longyan, Guangdong Qingyuan Yingxi, and Yunnan’s Shangri-La Thousand Lake Mountain, Diqing Pudacuo, Songzanlin Temple, and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
The Arc’teryx Academy offers outdoor knowledge and practical skills across multiple themes, such as mountain running, hiking, and climbing. It includes sessions on climbing gear, fall arrest and dynamic protection techniques, basic self-rescue in multipitch climbing, and practical courses like mountain running, group climbing, and posture training.
By establishing “world-class climbing sites” and promoting the systematic and international development of climbing, Arc’teryx provides world-class solutions for Chinese rock climbing. The brand will continue supporting climbers as they explore vertical walls and advance outdoor rock climbing in China, fostering outdoor spirit and providing a platform for the community with its professional resources and international standards.
｜Image Credit: Arc’teryx
｜Editor: LeZhi
