Xia receives treatment in a hospital for his frostbitten face and fingers.[Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

In 2014 and 2015, respectively, he was at the base camp of the south slope of Qomolangma in Nepal, but could not proceed due to an avalanche and an earthquake.

Later, in 2016, Xia tried to climb the mountain for the fourth time. But when he was less than 100 meters from the summit, a snowstorm blocked his way.