China man wins $ 14,000 for 70 days in wildlife: from handmade baskets to rock strikes - here's how he survived

A Central China man completed a 70-day Jungle Challenge and earned 100,000 yuan (US $ 14,000) by setting up homemade traps to catch rats and insects, according to a South China Morning Post report. In July, a meeting called the Qixing Mountain Cup Jungle Survival Challenge took place in Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, known for his dramatic landscapes, caves and rare wildlife. The event is organized by a local tourism company and outdoor clubs. What is the competition about? One hundred participants from all over China were placed in a remote, climate -changing area with only a knife and a bamboo pole. They had to survive for two months without any external supplies, and the whole challenge was flooded directly on social media on the continent. The last ten participants got 200 grams of salt and a stainless steel bowl, competing for the 100,000 Yuan Grand Prize. Each participant who lasted 30 days earned 6.666 Yuan (US $ 940). On September 22, 33-year-old Yang Dongdong became the champion after enduring an impressive 70 days in the wild. When Yang entered the forest, he built a shelter on a hill with dry grass, vineyards, bamboo and rocks. He also turned wires of his clothes in ropes and made a small wooden chair. Yang produced baskets of bamboo to catch fish and crabs and collect herbs and fruits. He installed simple traps to catch rats and insects. Despite experiencing several episodes of vomiting after eating strange plants, he managed to survive. “If food is scarce, anxiety is in, but I had to make sure I got the right balance between protein and vitamins,” the report cited. The cold temperature was the biggest challenge, as the autumn evenings fell below 10 degrees Celsius. They also had to handle heavy rain, smooth paths and snakes. Yang collected ferns to secure his shelter and used wood to light a fire. When Yang’s name was announced as the winner, he sat at the fire. He overcame with excitement and raised his arms and shouted, “I went through it!” As he left the forest, he carried ginger, fruits, wild vegetables that he gathered, and the traps he sat with him. Jimu News reports that Yang dumped more than 15 kg during the Jungle Challenge, yet he remained positive and talkative. A health examination revealed that all its physical indicators were within normal series. The report says that Yang is a beekeeper and has ownership shares in a wedding planning firm. His love for the desert is from a young age, during which he spent time with his grandfather. “As a child, I often went hunting with my grandfather in the mountains. He learned my basket-making and how to put traps in, ‘Yang said. He intends to share his survival expertise on social media to motivate others to discover nature.