In a remarkable display of strength and skill, 43-year-old Luo Dengpin from China has captured the attention of the online community for her extraordinary ability to climb cliffs over 100 meters high without the use of safety gear. Known as the “Chinese Spider-Woman,” Luo is celebrated as the world’s only female practitioner of the ancient Miao tradition of bare-handed rock climbing.
Luo’s incredible prowess allows her to ascend a 108-meter-high cliff—equivalent to a 30-storey building—while effortlessly maneuvering across vertical rock faces. She is currently the only woman among the region’s “spider people,” a title earned through years of dedication and practice.
Her journey into the world of rock climbing began at the young age of 15 under her father’s tutelage. Initially motivated by a desire to compete with boys, Luo sought to earn a living by collecting medicinal herbs and gathering bird droppings from swallows’ nests, which were used as fertiliser.
“They said this was only for boys, but I believe men and women are equal, so I learned. That is how my journey as a spider woman began,” Luo shared in an interview with the BBC in 2017.
Luo has a deep connection to her craft, stating, “Before this area was developed, I climbed every day to collect swallows’ droppings. We would scale 108 metres. Foreigners were often frightened by our bare-handed climbing, but I grew accustomed to it. After doing it so many times, my hands became callused.”
Her exceptional skills are rooted in the ancient Miao practice of cliff burials. The Miao people, who inhabit remote and mountainous regions, traditionally believe that high-altitude burials allow the deceased to “look towards their ancestral homeland” in central China. This custom has been passed down through generations, leading to the refinement of bare-handed climbing techniques.
In contemporary times, Luo has turned her talent into a form of entertainment for tourists. “Many visitors wanted to see how we gathered the herbs and paid us to demonstrate. My income isn’t high, but I take pride in being a spider woman,” she said.
Luo’s story has resonated with many on social media, inspiring admiration and respect. “People in the past were truly capable of everything. Cliffs and steep mountains did not deter them from exploration,” commented one user. Another added, “Kudos to the brave spider woman. Women are just as capable as men, and true masters live among the people.”
As Luo Dengpin continues to climb and showcase her remarkable skills, she serves as an inspiration, challenging gender norms and proving that determination and tradition can create extraordinary feats.
Sources By Agencies
