"I always end up with ink-stained hands, because pens leak in the low pressure of high mountains," he says.

Peking University Press published about 300 of his poems under his penname Luo Ying in the collection 7+2 Mountain-Climbing Diary in early November.

Huang hopes the book becomes a trendsetter, and relishes life and the Chinese language, which he believes contemporary prose fails to do.

"Poets are not necessarily melancholy, self-effacing and complaining," Huang says.

"They can be positive, close to nature and life, and full of spirit - like me."

Beijing poet Bei Ta compares Huang to American writer Ernest Hemingway because of his tough-guy image and approach to literature.

Huang puts it this way: "I climb to write poetry."

It was curiosity that led him to take on his first ascent in 2005, and every expedition since has been to provide inspiration for his writings.

He is moved by mountaineering's views and challenges, which he finds to be in stark contrast to the "restricted" and "vulgar" city life.

"Everything looks like a painting when you're 8,300 meters above sea level," he says.

Huang recalls one night spent convulsing alone halfway down a snowy mountain, unable to seek help. He eventually gave up resisting and decided to see what his illness would do with him. It eventually released him, and he continued his expedition.

（Editor：黄蓓蓓）