They cannot use climbing ropes, as rope friction and hook sounds might reveal them; they can only rely on handholds and simple rock wedges and grab knots for assistance.
Song Heping first found a crack, wedged his fingers into the cold rock crevice, and his toes searched for a foothold.
He applied the standard "three-point fixation" principle, always keeping three points in contact while moving, only moving one hand or foot at a time.
The movements were slow and precise, with each exertion controlled within a minimal range to avoid dislodging loose stones.
The night vision device provided good depth perception, but slippery and fragile areas of the rock still required tactile judgment.
"Iron Wolf" and "Shadow" separated a bit below him, each seeking their own route.
During the climb, the only sounds were their suppressed breathing, the faint friction of their combat uniform against the rough rock surface, and the eternal wind sound from afar.
