What difficulties did the Red Army encounter when crossing the snow-capped mountains in the Long March?

Cold weather, thin air, rain and snow and dangerous roads are the main characteristics of the natural environment of the snow-capped mountains. Take the Jin Jia Mountains that the Central Red Army and the Red Fourth Front Army pass through as an example. It is located in the west of Sichuan province, with an altitude of about 4500 meters. There is snow all year round, the air is thin, there are no roads and no people here. The weather is changeable, sometimes cloudy and sunny, sometimes rainy and snowy, suddenly hail, and suddenly windy, so it is called "Holy Mountain". Yang Dezhi recalled: "The climate here is changeable and capricious. It's sunny and cloudless in Wan Li. A gust of wind made people dizzy. Such a cold climate and mythical scene, let alone midsummer and June, are absolutely not available in the south. "

When Nie Rong Zhen recalled crossing the Jin Jia Mountains, he wrote: "Climbing in the morning began in the virgin forest, patches and clumps scattered in the vast snow. The strange scenery attracted people's attention, and everyone was full of vitality. But after noon, the weather suddenly changed. First it was foggy, then it was drizzling, then it turned into rain and snow, dancing wildly with the wind, and all the Red Army soldiers turned into snowmen. Especially at night, the weather is particularly cold and you can wear anything. "

Another example is the Haba Snow Mountain, which is crossed by the Red Second and Red Sixth Army Corps. It is located at the southern end of Hengduan Mountains and is full of ravines and canyons washed by the rapids of Jinsha River and Lancang River. Many snow peaks are above 5000 meters above sea level, and the main peak is as high as 5500 meters above sea level. The cold wind blows up the snow on the mountain, flying like a jade dragon in the sky. On the way to Ganzi in the west, the Red Fourth Army crossed the suspended mountain between Danba and Daofu. Dangling Mountain is the main peak of Zheduo Mountain, about 5000 meters above sea level, and it goes up and down about 100 kilometers. At that time, it was the coldest season. On the way over the hanging mountain, the snow and snow mercilessly attacked the hungry and exhausted Red Army team.

"Biography of Zhu De" records: "Facing the heavy snow, the troops climbed the steep ice peak and went straight into the sky. The steeper and flatter the road, the thinner the air, the more I feel breathless, dizzy and weak. It was noon when we reached the top of the mountain, but the sun was completely covered and the snow was everywhere. As dark as night. Then there was a long night, and the snow came in waves, and many soldiers were swallowed up by the snowstorm. "

In addition to the harsh natural conditions of the snow-capped mountains, hunger and cold have also brought severe tests to the Red Army. First, the Red Army has spent a lot of energy through long-distance marching and fighting. Second, most of the officers and men of the Red Army came from Zeguo, a water town, and were very uncomfortable with the cold and thin air. When they are above the snow line, they are seriously deprived of oxygen, and everyone feels like a heavy object. Yang Dezhi once recalled: "Because of the high altitude, low air pressure and thin air, it was very difficult to breathe because the chest was blocked by cotton wool. ..... The soldiers said,' We are not afraid of the cold weather, but how can this place be smothered!' "The third is the lack of cold protection equipment. Red Army soldiers came all the way from the south, dressed in thin clothes, and had to eat pepper and ginger to keep out the cold on the snowy mountain. Many soldiers were frostbitten or even sacrificed. According to Xiaoke's recollection, "After crossing the Jinsha River, we began to climb the Snow Mountain. The headquarters sent a telegram early, asking us to bring clothes, peppers and wine. It was the end of April and it was very hot. We don't understand either. Some troops have lost cotton-padded clothes and sweaters. ..... Walking, the ground is covered with snow, and the temperature suddenly drops. " Fourth, the Red Army doesn't know much about the geography of the snow-capped mountains. When crossing the snow-capped mountains, some soldiers did not know the depth of the ravine and accidentally fell into the deep valley. Some soldiers sit down and rest when they are tired of climbing the snow-capped mountains, and they can't get up again.

When describing the hardships of the Red Second and Red Sixth Army Corps crossing the snow-capped mountains, Ren Zhuan wrote: "The plateau lacks oxygen and it is difficult to move. Especially when crossing the snow-capped mountains, the soldiers' clothes are thin, and the heat stimulated by ginger soup and pepper is difficult to resist the fatigue of marching. If their feet fall on the snow-capped mountains, they will never get up again! Although the marching speed of the troops has dropped to 20 or 30 miles a day, it is still' seriously ill and dying, and physical strength is very tired'. "Ruthless snow-capped mountains claimed the lives of many soldiers. According to Nie's memory, "the comrades in our security class are in good health, and some of them can walk, but somehow, they will be finished if they fall." We sacrificed some comrades on the mountain. "The Red Second and Red Sixth Army Corps lost more than 2,000 troops in the snow-capped mountains due to cold, lack of food and lack of oxygen.

No difficulty can stop the brave and fearless Red Army soldiers. Before crossing the snow-capped mountains, the Red Army made preparations for climbing as well as possible. For example, keep warm clothes such as sheepskin and cotton-padded clothes, buy cold-resistant food such as white wine and pepper, and prepare a crutch for everyone. However, the local land is vast and sparsely populated, and the land is barren, which cannot meet the demand.

On the way over the snow-capped mountains, the officers and men of the Red Army gave full play to class friendship and provided physical assistance, and party member cadres played an exemplary role in succession. Zhu De, He Long and other senior generals of the Red Army used their horses to help the weak soldiers. Many soldiers led horses by the tail and climbed over the snow-capped mountains. Xu recalled: "In order to ensure his (Zhu De's) safety when crossing the Party Ridge of Daxue Mountain, we asked the troops to prepare mounts and stretchers for him. He gave the sick and wounded and insisted on walking by himself. Camping halfway up the mountain at night, it's too cold to sleep. I will tell you stories, tell you about the revolution, and inspire comrades to overcome the stormy snow-capped mountains and successfully realize the plan to go north. "