in the mountains some 60 kilometers from hangzhou ram union rescue operates a training camp.is day some new recruits are learning the basics. the new trainees are learning how to descend a cliff. but one of them is so nervous he's frightened to take the first step. as soon as he begins descending he sways away from the cliff. ten minutes later he makes it to the bottom. something that would take a veteran less than a minute. launched in 2009 ram union rescue is a private sector volunteer group run by mountain rangers. it's funded by ram union. an outdoor sports association. the group's initial objective was to prevent climbers from being stranded. after an increase in people enjoying mountaineering at the turn of the century. since its founding ram union rescue has expanded its activity to include disaster relief and safety education at schools. the group currently has more than 400 members and has received numerous awards from central and local governments. ram union rescue offers a 24-hour hotline. it's received almost 100 requests relating to missing elderly people in the