On May 19, 2024, wearing KAILAS one-piece down jacket and an oxygen mask, Erikut stood on Mount Everest. The snow reflected light so intensely that it was impossible to tell it was 5 a.m.
"I'm on Everest, greeting the people of China. From the roof of the world, I wish our motherland prosperity and the people happiness and well-being," he said. His voice still carried a hint of youth—at the time, he was only 15, preparing for the high school entrance examination.
Everest's summit had phone signal, so he called his father, Dilshat Abdurexiti. "Dad, I've safely reached the world's highest peak. I've fulfilled your dream too."
Erikut Summits Everest
Dilshat is a senior coach and mountain guide of the China Mountaineering Association with nearly 30 years of climbing experience, also serving as the captain of the Outdoor Rescue Team at Xinjiang Mountaineering Sports Service Center. While overjoyed, he remotely reminded Erikut of descent precautions after answering the call.
Stories of "following in one's father's footsteps" and "talented fathers begetting talented sons" exist in all walks of life. In mountaineering, Aleš Česen, a multiple Piolet d'Or winner, and Sajid Sadpara, who inherited his father's mission to clean high-altitude garbage, are well-known to climbing enthusiasts. In Chamonix, France—the birthplace of modern mountaineering—climbing is a way of life, with some families working as mountain guides for nine generations. Compared to the 300+ years of mountaineering history in Europe and America, China's climbing scene is just emerging, making "father-son" stories rare. Erikut, a second-generation climber so dedicated to the sport, is one of the few.
As the 2024 Everest climbing season ended around Father's Day, Phoenix Sports revisited the story of this mountaineering father and son—a tale of dreams, passion, and legacy, and a model for healthy father-son relationships in the new era.
Dislike
Erikut was 6 when he first tried outdoor rock climbing. "Hanging on the rope, I got scared after climbing 3 meters. The uncles and aunts around told my dad to lower me, but he said we'd spend the night there until I finished," Erikut recalled. At Shi Ren Gou in Xinjiang, he saw a different side of his usually gentle father.
"I'm strict and serious about mountaineering. From his first climb, I made him carry all supplies without help," Dilshat said. "But normally, I'm a doting father—we're like best friends."
Watching his "best friend" turn stern, 6-year-old Erikut felt overwhelmed but inched up the rock face, vowing never to climb again. The same aversion resurfaced at 9 during his first ice climbing trip, leading to a quarrel with his father.
Yet despite countless "never agains," he was drawn by the scenery and sense of achievement. "Climbing is addictive," Erikut said, with his father's laughter faintly audible over the phone.
Transformation
From his first climb at 6 to ice climbing at 9, systematic mountaineering training at 10, high-altitude challenges at 13 (Mount Yuzhu, Bogda, Muztagh Ata, Siguniangshan), and finally Everest at 15—Erikut's journey from dislike to love was shaped by Dilshat's guidance and daily immersion.
Dilshat initially took his son climbing to build physical and mental strength, but the beauty of the mountains and summit triumphs sparked Erikut's passion. "He's the most disciplined kid I've seen," said fellow climbers. Balancing "Summiting Mount Everest" with exam preparation required immense focus, but Erikut saw it differently: "I love climbing, so I can't slack off in training or studies."
As a high school freshman, his schedule includes academics, track training, cycling, hiking, and running. He's also become a social media creator, sharing climbing content in Uyghur to inspire more Xinjiang locals. "Xinjiang has amazing climbing resources, but few practitioners. I want to change that," he said.
Everest
Erikut's Everest bid best exemplifies his dedication and his father's support. After climbing Muztagh Ata at 14 in 2023, he told Dilshat, "Dad, I want to climb Everest." Though thrilled, Dilshat worried about risks and costs. When Erikut suggested selling their house, his mother snapped, "Are you crazy about climbing?!"
Zhong Chengzhan, founder of KAILAS and Dilshat's climbing partner, was astonished but admiring: "Pursuing dreams recklessly is admirable." KAILAS supported Erikut, sparing the family from selling their home. "Since I could choose gear, I've used KAILAS. It's not just about prestige—their performance beats other brands," said Erikut, who later showed off KAILAS' new 8000GT one-piece down jacket.
Before departing for Nepal, Erikut told his father, "Don't come. You're busy, and I don't want others to think you helped me summit." His first overseas trip became a solo challenge: "Nervous and shy without my dad, I faced hardships, but quitting wasn't an option. I needed to prove myself."
Father and Son
Dilshat, a pioneer of Chinese mountaineering, now dreams of climbing Everest with his son. "No concrete plan yet, but we both want to do it." Raised at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains, he entered climbing through talent and local knowledge, later falling in love with the sport through technical study. This passion subtly influenced Erikut.
"I didn't force him; I took him outdoors to build resilience," Dilshat said, downplaying his role. Now, Erikut is likely destined for a life in climbing. "I support him fully but require a university degree—learning is crucial for risk management and problem-solving in climbing."
Dilshat envies the new generation's resources: "They have systematic training and international exchanges. We used secondhand gear and drew maps by hand." He warns newcomers: "Respect the mountain. Remember, life belongs not just to you but to your parents."
Their bond skipped the typical teenage rebellion. "Adolescence passed quickly. Climbing kept him focused on training and studies, making him mature early," Dilshat said. Erikut now chases the "7+2" challenge (summiting the highest peaks on all seven continents and reaching both poles) by 18, having conquered Everest, Kilimanjaro, and Elbrus.
Legacy
While Dilshat's wife initially opposed Erikut's climbing, she now supports his passion. As for Erikut's future, his parents wish only for his happiness: "May he stand as firm as a mountain." Erikut aims to become an international mountain guide—following Dilshat, China's first generation of guides, to new heights.
Like KAILAS, China's climbing scene thrives on legacy. The brand, Asia's only provider of full 8000m+ climbing gear, safeguards climbers while pushing technical boundaries. With more second-generation climbers and brands like KAILAS, China's mountaineering future looks promising.
Epilogue
Dilshat leads by example—loving his family and pursuing his career—while Erikut matures beyond his years, fulfilling his father's dream. Their story, rare in China, embodies universal father-son bonds. As the saying goes, "A father's love is like a mountain"—solid, supportive, and awe-inspiring. Healthy parent-child relationships are a two-way journey, where children, like climbers, learn to admire nature's beauty and respect its power.
Many fathers, like Dilshat, support their children's dreams, and many sons, like Erikut, repay that faith by reaching new summits—both literal and metaphorical.
Chinese mountaineering thrives on generations of dedication—just as KAILAS remains committed to "climbing alone," pushing technology and nurturing talent to elevate China's climbing legacy.
