Paid hiking companions increasingly popular: The more attractive they are, the higher the price
Hiking on China’s famous mountains has taken on a new dimension thanks to the increasingly popular trend of hiring “hiking companions”. These young and experienced mountaineers offer their services of escort, support and guidance for a fee, attracting an increasing number of adventurers.
One of them is Wendy Chen, who decided to climb Mount Tai, one of the most famous in eastern China. With no friends to join her on the five-hour adventure, she hired a “mountain companion” to accomplish her goal.
Who are mountain companions?
In China known as bye bye (which means “to follow on a hike”), these young men are often students or ex-soldiers with extensive experience in nature. They offer their services through social networks such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin, where they emphasize height, fitness and mountaineering experience. The price for their escort ranges from 200 to 600 yuan ($30 to $85) per climb. Their task is not only to follow clients, but also to motivate them – through jokes, music, verbal support, and often by carrying bags or holding hands, he writes. BBC.
“Mountain Companion”
A job that changes traditional careers
This trend has particularly attracted the attention of young unemployed people in China, where the youth unemployment rate remains high. Many see the role of mountain companion as an opportunity to make a quick buck while considering long-term plans. For example, 20-year-old student Chris Zhang earned over 20,000 yuan ($2,800) in just three months this summer, while his peers on internships earned significantly less.
For some, like Chen Woody, this job has become a full-fledged career. Having quit his stressful job in sales, Chen now earns about 20,000 yuan a month, more than double the average monthly salary in China. His day often includes up to three climbs a day.
Risks and challenges of unregulated industry
Although lucrative, being a mountain companion carries risks, both for them and for their clients. There is currently no regulation for this industry, which can lead to potentially dangerous situations for amateurs or even fraud. However, in a country where young people face challenges in the labor market, the role of a mountain companion provides a temporary solution for earning and exploring new opportunities. “Although this job is not sustainable in the long term due to the physical strain, it currently allows me to do what I love and earn enough to live on,” Chen concluded.
Source: BIZLife/K. J.
Photo: Unsplash
Source: bizlife.rs
