Field experts find balance of hard work and family tenderness

Waking up in a sheep shed at an altitude of 4,500 meters left an indelible mark on Bai Pingyan. For that field survey in the Xizang autonomous region, the worksite was a full day's drive from their Lhasa base. With no nearby housing, the shed became their only shelter.

However, when asked about challenges in his job, the 34-year-old geologist, who climbs steep mountains like a monkey, smiled shyly as he looked at a photo of his wife and said: "Living in sheep sheds or steaming buns over cow dung fires isn't too bad — it's just part of the job. What is truly tough is prolonged separation from family members."

This feeling resonates with the thousands of geological workers from the China Geological Survey, who spend around half of each year on field expeditions exploring the Earth's hidden corners. Meanwhile, their families, going about their busy daily lives, serve as a great pillar of support and propel them forward.