MOUNTAIN CLEANERS ANSWER A HIGHER CALLING

Dedicated team ensures that prime tourist spot retains its pristine character

As gusts lash Yulong Snow Mountain in Yunnan province, Lyu Haowei starts work at an altitude of around 4,500 meters, cleaning a scenic spot noted for its appeal.

Equipped with a 150-meter safety rope, a clamp and a trash bag, Lyu negotiates steps leading up the mountain and then uses the rope to access otherwise inaccessible areas, where rubbish has been discarded. He and his colleagues are stationed at the scenic spot.

As he deals with challenges, such as the thin air and often relentless rain, Lyu must concentrate on the glaciers below him and the surrounding sheer cliffs.