ASIA YOUTH
ALPINE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
A VOLUNTEER PROGRAM TRAINS THE NEXT GENERATION OF
ALPINISTS AND POLAR EXPLORER
WHO WE ARE
The Asia Youth Alpine Mentorship Program (AYAMP) is a non-profit initiative designed for young individuals (aged 18-24) who aspire to become alpinists and polar explorers. Founded by renowned polar researcher, alpinist, and expedition specialist Wilson (Wai Yin) Cheung, along with Eric (Sheung Keung) Wong, a Wilderness photographer and Polar expedition guide in Asia, AYAMP aims to promote clean, lightweight, and low-impact climbing and exploration.
Our program connects experienced alpinists with technically proficient young climbers who have a strong desire to conquer the world's greatest mountains and engage in exploration on our planet and beyond. AYAMP provides a platform for mentors to share their expertise with enthusiastic young climbers and explorers who are dedicated to pursuing a life of mountain climbing and polar region exploration.
While the concept of mentorship in the field of alpinism is not new, AYAMP stands out by offering a fresh and independent non-profit model. Unlike the state-funded European mountain clubs, such as those in France, Switzerland, Spain, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany, we rely on our own resources, donations from the climbing community, and support from our sponsors.
Our one-year mentorship program places a strong emphasis on teaching judgment to proficient young climbers. We are proud to have esteemed mentors like Mr. Alain Chu from the IMS Myofascial Pain and Sports Physiotherapy Clinic, and Mr. Tat, Chairman of the Mountain Stream Association, among many other respected professionals.
The 2023/24 program is a core polar expedition training program for Hong Kong or Taiwan youth.
Join AYAMP, where experienced mentors and passionate climbers come together to share knowledge and embark on incredible alpine and polar expeditions.
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PROGRAM CONTENT FOR 2023/24
August 2023 - October 2023
- Recruitment interviews and physical tests
November 2023
- Selected candidates from Hong Kong and Taiwan undergo skills practice and training respectively
December 2023 - January 2024
- Online lectures by Wilson Cheung
- Expedition planning and logistics preparation
- Winter survival skills
- Winter expedition planning and decision-making
February 2024
- Final preparations for the expedition
10-18 March 2024
- 9-day Norway winter training expedition
- Polar expedition skills in the winter landscape
- Strengthening winter navigation skills in featureless environments
- Nordic ski backcountry multiday skiing with kite
April 2024
- Community service activities
AYAMP
PARTICIPANT
RESPONSIBILITIES
As a participant in AYAMP, you have certain responsibilities to fulfill.
By fulfilling these responsibilities, you not only maximize the benefits of AYAMP but also contribute to the growth and positive impact of our community and society as a whole.
1. Embrace self-exploration and strive to discover your own capabilities and the wonders of the physical world.
2. Attend the program consistently and actively engage in the activities and training provided.
3. Contribute financially to cover the costs associated with attending the program. Remember, all mentors provide their services voluntarily.
4. Give back to our community through service initiatives and contribute to the betterment of society.
5. Inspire and enlighten others and our society through your passion for exploration and discovery.
Program Initiatives Overviews
1
Aspire and Cultivate Polar Exploration and Alpinism
At AYAMP, our core mission is to ignite and nurture the aspirations of the next generation of polar explorers and alpinists. We firmly believe in the transformative power of mentorship, igniting the flames of curiosity and resilience within our young participants. Our program is crafted to impart the knowledge and experiences essential for thriving in the planet's most challenging environments. We go beyond merely equipping individuals with skills; we kindle a fervor for the polar realms and high-altitude adventures. Our goal is to cultivate a new generation of adventurers who embody both competence and an unwavering passion for exploring Earth's coldest and loftiest realms.
2
Promote Next-Generation Exploration and the Discovery of the Unknown
Exploration is the pulsating heart of AYAMP. We champion the notion that our mentees must push the boundaries of familiarity and known horizons. Our program is meticulously designed to nurture an unquenchable curiosity and a yearning for unveiling the mysteries of the unknown. Our vision of exploration transcends physical landscapes; it encompasses the uncharted territories of personal growth and self-discovery. Through AYAMP, we endeavor to nurture a fresh breed of explorers who embark on quests to uncover the enigmas of our world, whether they be concealed within polar regions, towering mountain peaks, or the depths of their own boundless potential.
3
Training the Leaders for Society
Leadership is woven into the very fabric of AYAMP. Our mentorship program transcends the mere imparting of expedition skills; it polishes the facets of leadership within each individual. We firmly uphold the belief that leadership is not about issuing commands but rather inspiring and guiding others towards shared objectives. Through the instillation of leadership attributes, we aim to nurture individuals who are primed to lead in formidable circumstances, make judicious decisions, and set an inspiring precedent for others. Our vision of leadership isn't confined solely to the realm of exploration; it extends to empower these leaders to make a positive impact on society at large.
4
Serve Back to Society
The spirit of giving back resonates deeply within AYAMP. We place paramount importance on both social and environmental responsibility. Our mentees are urged to recognize their roles in society and the inherent necessity of contributing positively. We ardently believe that exploration and adventure should transcend self-serving interests and should, in turn, be channeled towards the greater good. AYAMP instills in its participants a profound understanding of the significance of preserving our natural world and making meaningful contributions to society. This might encompass environmental stewardship, the sharing of knowledge, or mentorship to the subsequent generation of adventurers.
Explore
Social Responsibility and Community Engagement
In line with our commitment to holistic development, AYAMP places a strong emphasis on social responsibility and active engagement within the community. Our program instills in mentees a deep-seated sense of duty to contribute positively to society.
Between 2019 and 2023, AYAMP members actively participated in two noteworthy events
SUMMARY
MENTEE’S BENEFITS
• Free enrollment with no tuition fees.
• Access to mentorship from renowned alpinists and polar expedition leaders in Asia.
• Participation in free lectures, workshops, and training consultations.
• Opportunities to build a strong network in the alpine and polar expedition industry.
• Practical field experience and assessment in a Polar and/or alpine setting.
APPLICANTS’ PRE-REQUISITES
• Demonstrated good physical fitness, capable of carrying a 20 kg backpack and hiking at least 20 km per day.
• Proficiency and comfort in leading sport climbing at a minimum grade of 5a.
• Previous experience with overnight camping.
• Good command of English and Chinese, both in reading and speaking.
• Applicants from Hong Kong and Taiwan between 18 and 24 years old as of July 1, 2023.
MEET THE MENTOR
WILSON (WAI-YIN) CHEUNG
Alpinist, Polar researcher and expedition leader
APPLICATION (CLOSED)
The 2023/24 program is a core polar expedition training program for youth from Hong Kong or Taiwan, with the following goals:
- Enable participants to independently plan and explore the polar winter
- Potential alpine climbing in Chamonix region in June-July 2024
Please send your application letter and a 2-3 minute self-introduction video
to our email address: alpineasiayouth@gmail.com by August 31, 2023.
Selected applicants will attend face to face interview on October 4, 2023.
In your application letter and video, kindly address the following points:
1. How does joining AYAMP align with your life mission?
2. Which areas would you most like to explore and discover?
3. During a commercial or research expedition, do you consider guest/teammate experience or personal satisfaction as more important?
4. What risks do you think are most significant during a several-month expedition without communication with the outside world?
5. Do you have any skiing/winter experience?
Join AYAMP, where experienced mentors and passionate climbers gather to exchange knowledge and embark on extraordinary alpine and polar expeditions.
MENTEE (CLASS OF 2023)
CANON CHAN
“Climb mountain not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.”
Canon Chan is a third-year Biology student at CUHK. He enjoys various outdoor activities and uses them to explore himself. He has a strong connection to the natural world.
During high school years, Canon had the opportunity to engage in hiking and camping, and since then, he fell in love with hiking. Over the following years, he has hiked all over Hong Kong, exploring different peaks and routes, including trekking in MacLehose Trail and visiting Taiwan's Hehuan Mountain. Also, he continually embraces various outdoor pursuits like diving, climbing, and abseiling.
In this program, Canon would like to take this opportunity to learn more about alpinism, equip himself, and explore more alpine regions in the future.
CHELSEA
“Believe in yourself, because you have unlimited potential.”
Chelsea is an rock climber with three years of experience under her belt. Her passion for adventure and exploration has fueled her desire to conquer new heights. With an insatiable love for the feeling of being high up, Chelsea aspires to become an alpinist.
Driven by her ambition, Chelsea has already embarked on her alpine journey. She recently ventured to Korea, where she tried to summit several peaks in alpine style. Embracing the philosophy of minimalism, she prefers to tackle the mountains with the least amount of tools and equipment, always striving to maintain a lightweight approach.
As Chelsea continues to push her limits and explore the world's breathtaking landscapes, her dedication to alpinism remains unwavering. With each ascent, she seeks to embrace the thrill of the climb and the beauty of the mountains, and keep exploring in the world of alpinism.
MICHAEL
“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.”
Michael is an avid adventurer who thrives on exploring the far reaches of the world. In his journeys to Caucasus and South Asia, he hitchhiked and traversed countries like Iran and Armenia, immersing himself in rural communities and embarking on exhilarating hikes in Pakistan and Azerbaijan. These experiences have been transformative for Michael, igniting a passion for exploring new territories and uncovering the wonders of our world.
With a deep love for trail running, hiking, and rock climbing, Michael aspires to become an accomplished alpinist and explorer. Adventure is an integral part of his being, driving him to seek out new challenges and push his limits.
KERI
“Don’t call it a dream, call it a plan”
Keri enjoys being in the mountains and surrounded by nature. During her time at university, she began hiking and trekking overseas, such as the ABC trail in Nepal, Mount Fuji and Yufu in Japan, Hallasan in Jeju, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah. She has fallen in love with the breathtaking views from the mountain peaks and finds joy in immersing herself in the natural beauty.
In the future, Keri would like to learn more about alpine climbing in order to explore more mountains around the world. Her ultimate goal is to become a professional expedition guide and dedicate herself to nature and mountaineering.
OSCAR LI
“Into the unknown.”
During his time in secondary school, Oscar was fortunate to be selected for a program, hiking a 3,358-meter mountain called Mount Nanhua in Taiwan. Since that journey, he has developed a deep interest in hiking and a love for nature. He has started exploring the possibilities of outdoor activities in Hong Kong, such as climbing, freediving, and kayaking. Nature has become an integral part of his life.
Oscar is not only eager to have adventures in the world but also to seek adventure within himself. He views each challenge and hurdle during his adventures as an opportunity for personal growth.
Within this program, Oscar is enthusiastic about learning to become an alpinist. He hopes to step into the unknown, exploring the world of Alpinism and actualising his potential.
MOON
“Believe in yourself, because you have unlimited potential.”
Moon has a passion for sports, nature, and taking on challenges. From a young age, Moon participated in various sports such as aquathlon, cross-country racing, and freediving to explore her potential. In her view, overcoming difficulties to reach the summit of mountains not only brought her satisfaction but also provided valuable experiences and knowledge from her climbing companions. This led Moon to engage in activities like rock climbing, hiking, and trekking, further immersing herself in the mountains and nature. However, Moon is driven by a strong desire to face new mental and physical challenges. As she explores her path, she becomes acquainted with the concept of an alpinist. With growing certainty, Moon recognizes that becoming an alpinist is her ultimate goal and life mission.
With great enthusiasm, Moon wholeheartedly embraces the demanding training that lies ahead. She is eagerly looking forward to learning from experienced mentors and alpinists who can guide her on this journey. Moon is filled with excitement as she prepares to embark on this adventure and become an integral part of the alpinist community.
RINGO MA
“Adventure is the discovery of the relationship between yourself and the world.”
Ringo has always regarded nature as his second home. Since his childhood, he felt an undeniable pull towards the mountains and nature, which only grew stronger as the years went by. Ringo finds solace in the embrace of the wilderness and enjoys a wide array of outdoor activities, whether it’s camping, scrambling, climbing, or kayaking. His fourteen years of scouting experience have laid a solid foundation for his future adventures, and also reminds him the significance of giving back to society.
Looking ahead, Ringo is eagerly working toward becoming an Alpinist, with the aim of sharing the beauty of nature with a wider audience.
Life’s adventures are an intricate part of Ringo’s being.
ALUMNI
BILLY NIP
- AYAMP MENTEE (CLASS OF 2022)
"Your only limit is your mind."
Billy would like to inspire more people get in touch with nature and treasure it. He loves rock climbing, mountaineering, diving, kayaking ,etc.
Growing up in Hong Kong, where people always describe it as a concrete jungle, he spent much of his childhood immersed in the outdoors and currently a passionate outdoor activity instructor.
Billy started his first foreign country hike in 2015 at Taiwan Mt jade. After that, he fell in love with the big mountain. During these years, he went to Indonesia, China and Japan to go hiking. In 2018, he went to Chola Mountain (6168m). After that trip, he started to research different mountaineering styles and learn about alpinism. In 2023, he spent a year travel around France, Italy, Switzerland, and Norway for mountaineering, ice climbing, rock climbing, and bouldering.
In the future, he wants to be a professional mountain guide, at the same time keep pursuing his dream of mountaineering.
Photo credit - Eric Wong @eric_songbill
ALDEN CHAN
- AYAMP MENTEE (CLASS OF 2022)
"It's always seems impossible until it's done."
Alden Chan is an energetic and passionate person who enjoys staying in the mountains and nature.
During his university study, he got a chance to join the Excursion and Travel Affairs Association which allow him to organise different outdoor activities and overnight camp to members. It made Alden fall in love with nature and mountains. After that he started trekking overseas, like ABC trail in Nepal, Hehuan Mountain in TaiWan, Yubeng in China and Mount Iō in Japan.
In future, Alden would like to explore more mountains in the world.
Photo credit - Eric Wong @eric_songbill
KATIE LIU
- AYAMP MENTEE (CLASS OF 2022)
"Life was meant for great adventure."
Katie spent much of her childhood on beaches and rocks along the ocean. Attracted to remote places, she went to Wales as an exchange student — an experience that nurtured her love for mountain nature meanwhile motivated her curiosity in sustainable tourism.
Life is meant for great adventures as we only live once. Katie is eager to learn about how to be an alpinist and polar expedition guide. She hopes to aspire others to conserve the beauty of the planet through unique experiences in nature.
OSCAR CHAN
- AYAMP MENTEE (CLASS OF 2022)
"All life is about experiment"
Oscar (Tsz-Hin) Chan considers himself an avid mountain lover because he likes the versatility of being able to be in the mountains every day.
He likes trail running, mountaineering, drone shooting, rock climbing, abseiling... Since he was little, he was imbued with love of the mountains and learned about the sport.
Mountains and nature ,therefore are a part of him.
MENTORS (2021/2022)
THE EXPLORERS
WILSON (WAI-YIN) CHEUNG
Alpinist, Polar researcher and expedition leader
ERIC WONG
Alpinist, expedition guide and photographer
TSANG LING TAT
Chairman of Mountain and Stream Association,
Register Mountain craft coach ( Level 3, CHKMCU)
MR.ALAIN CHU
IMS Myofascial Pain and Sports Physiotherapy Clinic