A fitness influencer in China has sparked a debate on social media after using a helium balloon to lighten his backpack weight during a hike. Pu, an influencer from Zhejiang, shared a video on the Chinese platform Douyin, showcasing a white helium balloon attached to his bag. He expressed how he did not feel the weight of the bag due to the balloon, saying, “I feel something is dragging me upwards. This should be the way most suitable for lazy men to climb mountains.”
Pu mentioned seeing another influencer use a balloon to elevate a bag in the air and chose helium over hydrogen for safety reasons. The main aim of the balloon was to decrease the backpack weight during the hike, a goal that Pu believed the balloon achieved. However, the balloon encountered challenges in the latter part of the journey as it became entangled in tree branches and eventually burst.
Despite the setbacks, Pu remained content with the experiment, describing it as a fun experience. A Douyin user questioned Pu’s labelling of the method as the “lazy man mountain climbing method,” wondering who would bother to climb a mountain if they were lazy. A chemistry teacher cautioned about the risks associated with using a helium balloon in hiking, citing potential injuries, getting blown away in windy conditions, and the balloon exploding at high altitudes.
While the concept is innovative, it is not new. Engineer Brendan Carberry previously experimented with a helium balloon to ease his hike. Carberry discovered unexpected challenges with having a balloon attached to his backpack. He expressed his desire for a floating backpack to eliminate the weight burden while hiking, describing it as the ideal hiking experience.
In conclusion, the use of helium balloons for mountain climbing, although intriguing, raises safety concerns and practical challenges. Both Pu and Carberry’s experiences highlight the complexities and limitations of incorporating such unconventional methods in hiking adventures.