Looks more like a trend to be "healthy" (just like walking slowly in the park while hitting your thighs and shoulder -healthy as hell..).

i got invited once to"climb a mountain" but it was just going up lots and lots of steps. not realy what i was expecting.  i was thinking it woild be more like hiking. 

For many Chinese persons, climbing a mountain has spiritual, mistical and religious significance.  Many centuries ago, many believed that mountains were like pillars holding heavens safely from falling into Earth, some even thought it was like a dead turtle upside down and with legs up in the sky to hold heaven in place.

Later, since most mistical ancestors lived on caves on mountains to be away from others and allowed to pray and meditate in peace, mountain tops in many places sport of became sacret for the populace. Also lately, because as you climb a mountain, it is believed you are closer to heaven, and this is the reason for manuy monasteries and temples to be located on mountain tops.

So, whether you will beleive it or not, it is mostly for religious significance that they do climb to mountain tops.

Of course, please do feel free to think otherwise if you disagree.