Heroes come from the people：Enshi’s “Flying Tigers” Clear Hazardous Boulders in Canyons

Enshi’s “Flying Tigers” Clear Hazardous Boulders in Canyons

翻译：王靖萍 刘柯兰 卫拉（湖北大学）

Translated by Wang Jingping, Liu Kelan, Lisa M.K (Hubei University)

楚天都市报极目新闻讯（记者李博）背负30余斤重的装备，如蜘蛛般攀爬在悬崖绝壁上。双脚不能沾地，还要用钢钎清理一块块巨型危石。在湖北恩施，一支由5人组成的“飞虎队”，常年活跃在高山峡谷间。2月27日，极目新闻记者来到“飞虎队”的驻地，倾听“悬崖勇士”讲述他们的故事。

Jimu News (Reporter Li Bo) — Hauling over 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of equipment, they scale sheer cliffs like spiders. With their feet barely touching solid ground, they use steel rods to clear massive hazardous boulders. In Enshi, Hubei Province, a five-person team known as the “Flying Tigers” operates year-round in mountainous canyons. On February 27, Jimu News spoke with these “cliff warriors” to hear their stories. 

据介绍，5人分别来自恩施、宜昌、荆州等地，年纪最大的45岁，最小的37岁，都有着十余年的户外探险经验，并持有高空作业证。年龄最小的张勇告诉极目新闻记者，5人均为户外探险爱好者，因一次山地绳索救援技术培训而结缘。经过交流，志同道合的他们组建了团队，不仅从事高空排险、“飞拉达”线路设计和户外探险等业务，还义务参与救援活动，成为了悬崖上的安全“守护者”。

The team of five, ranging in age from 37 to 45, hail from Enshi, Yichang and Jingzhou, among other places in Hubei. As avid outdoor enthusiasts with over a decade of experience, all are in certified in working at height. Zhang Yong, the youngest member, told Jimu News that the five bonded during a training session for mountain rope rescue. Sharing a common passion, they formed a team that now specializes in high-altitude hazard removal, via ferrata (climbing route) design, and outdoor adventures. They also volunteer in rescue operations, becoming “guardians of the cliffs”.

为工作方便，团队中每人都有一个外号，张勇的外号叫拾壹，团队其他人分别叫老妖、小保、阿陌、亮仔。

For their convenience, each person in the team has a nickname, Zhang Yong's nickname is Eleven, while the others in the team are Old Demon, Xiao Bao, A Mo, Bright Guy.

电锤、钻头、梅龙锁、岩钉、扳手、钢钎、铁锤、千斤顶……作业时，每人至少负重30斤。一天的高强度作业后，大家都感到腰酸背痛。由于行业特殊，食宿和保险一般由聘请方承担，每天的工资在600元左右。

On the job, each of them lugs at least 30 kilograms of equipment, such as electric hammers, drills, Meilong locks, pitons, wrenches, steel chisel, hammers, jacks, to name a few. Following a day’s high-intensity work, everyone leaves with a sore back. Due to the special nature of the industry, accommodation, food and insurance are usually borne by the hiring party, with the daily wage typically around 600 yuan.

每次接到任务，团队会分成两组，每组2到3人。先锋员老妖率先抵达作业点，他熟练地检查着岩壁上的锚点，手中的绳索像一条灵蛇，在岩石间穿梭。随着“咔嗒”一声，安全绳被牢牢固定，他朝身后的队友挥了挥手，示意可以开始作业。

For each project they take on, the team splits into two groups of two to three. Old Demon, the most seasoned of them, arrives on site first. He seamlessly inspects the anchor points on the cliff wall, the rope slithering through his hands as he glides across the boulders. At the “click” of the safety rope, indicating it is securely fastened, he waves to his team, signaling them to get to work. 

张勇紧随其后，他一手握着钢钎，一手扶着岩壁，脚下的岩石松散而湿滑，稍有不慎便会踏空。他将钢钎插入岩缝，用力撬动，一块松动的危石随之滚落，发出“轰隆”的声响，坠入深谷。小保和阿陌，则用电锤在岩壁上钻孔，他们的动作干脆利落，眼神专注，容不得半点差错。安全员亮仔，站在不远处的高地上，目光如鹰隼般扫视着整个作业区域。他手中的对讲机不时传来队友的确认声：“锚点牢固，可以继续。”“危石清理完毕，准备转移。”

Zhang Yong followed close behind, gripping a steel crowbar in one hand while steadying himself against the cliff face with the other. The rocks beneath him were loose and slippery, every step threatening to send him tumbling. He wedged the crowbar into a crevice and forcefully pried it, dislodging a loosened boulder that crashed down the ravine with a thunderous rumble. Xiao Bao and A Mo worked along, their electric hammer drills piercing into the stone with efficient precision. Their movements were crisp, eyes locked on their task with the focused intensity of those careful enough to prevent any misstep. Perched on an elevated point, safety officer Bright guy’s gaze swept across the worksite. His walkie-talkie crackled with updates: “Anchor points secure. Proceeding.” “Loose rocks cleared. Preparing to move on.” 

这几年，几人的足迹遍布湖北、浙江、重庆、贵州、西藏等地，曾为恩施鸡公岭、大清江红花峰林、温州雁荡山、福州某高速路等开展高空排险。

Over the past few years, the team has traveled to Hubei, Zhejiang, Chongqing, Guizhou, Xizang, and other regions, carrying out high-altitude hazard removal operations in areas such as Jigongling in Enshi, Honghuafenglin in the Daqing River area, Yandang Mountain in Wenzhou, and a highway in Fuzhou.  

“没有人不惧怕生死，每一步都如履薄冰、小心翼翼。”张勇说，每一次作业，都像在刀尖上跳舞，稍有不慎便会“万劫不复”，每天出门前都在祈祷能平安。“我们热爱生活、热爱大自然，心怀敬畏之心，但胆子也很小。”他说，正是这份敬畏，让5人在每一次行动中都格外谨慎，确保每一步都稳如磐石。

“No one is immune to the fear of life and death. Every step feels like walking on thin ice,” said Zhang Yong. Each mission, he explained, is akin to “dancing on a knife's edge”—a single misstep could lead to irreversible catastrophe. “We pray for safety every morning before heading out,” he added. “We love life and nature deeply, and hold profound reverence for both. Yet we’re also cautious by nature.” It is this very reverence, he noted, that drives them to approach every operation with meticulous care, ensuring each foothold remains as steady as bedrock.