Climbing companions give helping hand on push to the summit

The sight of porters ferrying goods suspended across their shoulders up and down the steep steps of Taishan Mountain in Shandong province is nothing new, but another occupation on the mountainside has risen to the fore in recent years — climbing companions.

For many wishing to climb, doing so on their own can be a lonely experience, and so, paid-for climbing companions are on the rise and ready to accompany them up the 7,000 stone steps to the peak of Taishan Mountain.

These climbing companions, or pei pa, are often locals or university students, and offer physical assistance, emotional support and even local knowledge to weary hikers.