Crossing Snowcapped Mountains

In June 1935, the Central Red Army arrived at the foot of Mount Jiajin and began to cross the first major snow-capped mountain on the Long March. The main peak rises to 4,930 meters and is snow-clad year-round, with thin, rarefied air. A local folk song says, "Mount Jiajin, Mount Jiajin – even birds cannot fly over it, and no ordinary mortal can scale it." The Red Army troops, poorly clad against the cold and short of food, pushed forward through wind, snow, and hail, relying on chili water for warmth and wooden sticks for support. From June 12 to 18, over the course of seven days and nights, the entire main force successfully crossed Mount Jiajin.