On the early morning of March 24, after the snowfall, the data transmission of an automatic weather station was interrupted in Hemu village, Burjin County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. A reporter and forecasters from the Burin County Meteorological Office (hereinafter referred to as the Office) drove more than 100 kilometers of mountain road and rushed to Hemu village to repair the instrument.

The automatic weather station that needed to be maintained. Photoed by XU Ningchao

Forecasters from Burjin County were maintaining an automatic weather station. Photoed by XU Ningchao

At the foot of the mountain, they stepped into the waist-deep snow, carrying shovels, antifreeze and repair kits, and half of their bodies were enveloped in the snow.

In order to save energy, the director of the Office was exploring the way in the front and everyone followed in his footsteps. Even so, the feet were still firmly stuck in the existing snow.

They chose to crawl on hands and feet, but after all, this was a semi-plateau area, and their physical strength was somewhat depleted. And after a while, sweat soaked their hats, and cotton clothes. The cumulative snow that seeped in the shoes also turned into ice water.

Staff were carrying tools, wading through the snow to the automatic weather station. Photoed by LI Zhihong

At 17:00, they finally ascended to the top of the mountain, and the natural snow and snowdrift also submerged the entire automatic weather station.

The automatic weather station was buried in the snow. Photoed by LI Zhihong

After figuring out the general direction of the fence gate, they began to dig into the snow. At night, at more than minus 30 degrees Celsius, the snow around the observation site was frozen, and it needed to be broken down little by little like cutting a cake.

After nearly an hour of endeavor, they finally dug a tunnel and saw the observation equipment.

To lighten the load, they didn't take drinking water up the mountain. Climbing to the top of the mountain, followed by heavy snow clearing operations, everyone was going through some physical overdraft, and could only eat snow to quench their thirst.

Staff were checking the instruments of the automatic weather station. Photoed by LI Zhihong

At 20:00, the maintenance task of the automatic weather station was completed.

Editor: LIU Shuqiao