Travel groups need to put safety ahead of adventure

Authorities once again had to rescue several groups of self-organized adventure seekers who got themselves stranded in the wilderness Sunday.

The more than 200 travelers, including 30 from Shanghai, got trapped in the Jingkongli Valley in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province after flooding cut off their only way out of the valley. Authorities finished rescuing the travelers Monday.

These kinds of self-organized trips have become increasingly popular among Shanghai residents looking to get a few more thrills out of traveling. Typically, these groups prefer hiking in undeveloped, and usually remote, parts of the country.

The problem is that these adventure travelers don't pay enough attention to their own safety. They also don't have the necessary skills and experience for such trips.

Jingkongli Valley used to be home to a tiny village. But since its residents moved away, the valley has become a draw for adventurers from Shanghai and other nearby cities. But the uninhabited valley has its own dangers. There is a stream that runs along the path into the valley. Usually, the water level of the brook only reaches ankle-deep. But after the thundershowers on Sunday afternoon, the stream's water level surged.

In the worst-hit areas, the stream came up to travelers' chests, according to a report on the news website eastday.com. Rather than cross the stream, many travelers decided to hold up in the valley and wait to be rescued. Some travelers tried to find a way out by themselves, but ended up getting lost. One of the travelers who had to be rescued said her family chose to walk back after the rain stopped. But she also said some travelers went deeper into the valley.

Although all of the stranded travelers were rescued by local police and firefighters, some of the travelers were to blame for their carelessness and irresponsible behavior.

Some travelers neglected the danger posed by the heavy rain because the only pathway into the valley is near a river and their negligence might have even cost them their lives.

It is also unacceptable for travel groups that favor undeveloped places to make such mistakes. Because these areas contain more hazards than traditional tourist destinations, the travelers should have put more emphasis on safety issues.

Some travelers might overestimate their ability and choose to rely on themselves to find a way out. But a more proper way is that travelers shall find a safe place when an emergency occurs and wait for the rescuers. Even a sophisticated adventurer may misjudge the situation, not to mention a group made up of mostly amateur travelers.

A reckless attempt at self-rescue might also cause more problems, such as getting lost and losing connection with the outside.

Unfamiliar with the landscape, the travelers were lucky to survive in the bad weather without a professional guide. But these groups won't always be so lucky.

An unfamiliar and secluded place may seem more attractive than the standard scenic spot, but it also means there is a lack of local guidance and emergency facilities in the areas, which makes the area more dangerous.

But after browsing the similar cases that happened in recent years, the majority of travelers were unsuited for the adventures they chose.

This case should be a cautionary tale for Shanghai's adventure seekers, who would be wise to carefully consider the risks of traveling to such remote destinations.