- At only 20 years old, Bob Tsang endured tough physical challenges to become the youngest Hongkonger to complete the climbing feat after journeying to Antarctica earlier this year
- Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we’ve written
Bob Tsang Long-kit, who summited Mount Vinson in Antarctica this January, is the youngest Hongkonger to conquer the Seven Summits. Photo: HandoutOn January 6 of this year, 20-year-old Bob Tsang Long-kit summited 4,892-metre Mount Vinson in Antarctica, completing his seven-year journey to conquer the highest peaks on all seven continents.
What made the moment even more emotional was that his father, John Tsang Chi-sing, climbed the same mountain and completed the Seven Summits challenge thirteen years ago on that very day. This extraordinary feat established them as the first-ever father-son duo from Hong Kong to scale the Seven Summits. And it happened thanks to good weather.
“It was coincidental. Originally, I planned to reach the summit two days later, but due to favourable weather and the team’s physical condition, we were able to expedite our schedule,” shared Tsang, the youngest Hongkonger to complete the Seven Summits.
Antarctica was the last stop on a journey that began when Tsang was 13. It took him a year to prepare for the climb, including raising HK$400,000 for the journey.
“I was filled with awe and emotion when I set foot on the ground in Antarctica,” Tsang recalled. “I realised that this might be my only opportunity to visit this place. I knew I had to cherish every moment and make the most of my time there.”
Days before his week-long mountaineering expedition, Tsang researched the weather conditions on the peak and discovered that temperatures could drop as low as -50 degrees Celsius with strong winds. He thought he might only be able to endure a few minutes in such extreme conditions before retreating; however, “When I reached the top, there was no wind, and we were able to take a group photo with our jackets off,” he said. “It was truly unbelievable … and the guide told me it was one of the few instances of good weather in [the last] ten years.”
The climber added, “As I gazed [down] from the peak, I could see the road we had traversed to reach this point ... Seeing how far I had come, under the warm sunlight, touched me deeply.”
Starting young
Tsang got his first taste of mountaineering at the age of six when his father took him to Japan to hike Mount Fuji, which stands at 3,766 metres tall.
“I had no idea that mountains could be so tall and that climbing could be so tiring,” Tsang recalled, adding that it took about 16 hours to reach the top.
“I remember [that] after climbing for two hours, I wanted to give up ... but I pushed through the pain in my legs to complete the hike. I felt a great sense of accomplishment, and afterwards, I asked my dad if there were higher mountains to conquer.”
This kicked off a tradition for Tsang’s family, and they started taking holiday hiking trips, heading to Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia and snow-covered hills in Japan.
In 2017, Tsang began undertaking his goal of reaching the Seven Summits. To prepare for these demanding hikes, he engaged in regular training activities, such as running and cycling, to enhance his physical fitness and endurance.
In addition to the physical challenges, spending time alone during hikes can be tough.
“Most of the time, you find yourself walking quietly during the hike, as people don’t have the energy to chat with you. So you need to find a way to motivate and entertain yourself during the journey,” he said.
What fuels Tsang’s love for hiking is the people and scenery he encounters along the way: “The views on the peaks in different seasons are pretty ... And being on the mountain, we [can] disconnect from the internet, which allows for more meaningful human interaction. When communicating with other hikers face to face, I feel a strong sense of human connection and kinship.”
New to hiking? Check out these 5 beginner-friendly routes in Hong Kong
Nurtured by nature
Not only has hiking helped Tsang make meaningful connections, but it has also shaped his career goals.
The graduate of Li Po Chun United World College of Hong Kong attributed his achievement of scoring 44 marks on the International Baccalaureate exam in 2021 to the nature of hiking and the lessons it taught him.
“Hiking is about setting goals and pushing yourself to achieve them within a time frame. Applying this pattern to my studies helped me stay motivated and concentrate on reaching my goals,” said the Year Two student studying film production in the UK.
His interest in film was also sparked by hiking after a friend made a short video of one of their hikes. He then started filming his mountaineering expeditions to document his life and eventually chose to study film at university.
Tsang’s ultimate goal is to combine film and hiking to make a documentary and showcase his love of nature.
“Whether it’s hills in Hong Kong or a tree in front of your home, they hold their own beauty and significance,” he said.
Lantau hiking: trails, trips and treats for getting outdoors
Now that he has completed the Seven Summits challenge, Tsang plans to focus on his studies and explore the mountains in Europe. He hopes his story can inspire others to pursue their dreams.
“There are numerous opportunities available to us, but sometimes we become too focused on work and miss out on the beauty that life has to offer,” he said.
“I hope my work can remind people to follow their passions within the limited time we have and achieve their goals.”
To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.