About James Gao
Mandarin Expedition Guide
Hailing from Beijing, China, James Gao (Gao Qing in Chinese) served in the Chinese navy for 11 years before becoming a certified mountain climbing instructor. He is also trained as a wilderness first responder and a Rescue 3-certified International rescuer. He has worked as an Outdoor Educator for an international school for 13 years and now spends most of his time in the field. He has professionally guided for rock climbers, ice climbers, mountaineers, and trail runners, in addition to leveraging his training to assist in rescue operations.
Thanks to his military background and mountain-guiding experiences, James has developed a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to effectively achieve his goals.
James speaks Chinese, English and Spanish. Always enthusiastic about inspiring people to pursue an outdoor lifestyle, he cannot wait to share his stories and help you immerse yourself in the wild beauty of the Polar Regions.
