Classic Itineraries
Female hiker falls to her death, body completely devoured by vultures
In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire for humanity and was imprisoned by the god Zeus, subjected daily to the torment of having his liver pecked out by vultures. But in reality, some people have also suffered the tragic fate of having their bodies eaten by vultures. Vultures are a type of large scavenging bird of prey that primarily inhabit high altitudes and feed on animal carcasses. They rarely attack healthy animals but may occasionally prey on sick or injured ones. Additionally, in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, there is a ritual called sky burial, where the deceased's body is taken to the mountains to be consumed by vultures, allowing the soul to ascend to the heavens with the birds. However, this is a Tibetan custom, and most people still hope to see their loved ones one last time and bid them a proper farewell, rather than having no remains left. According to a report by the UK's *Daily Mail*, a
European Climbers and Nepali Guide Get into a Fight, Two Injured
Three European climbers got into a fight with a Nepali guide, leaving two Europeans injured, as Nepali police launched an investigation. The altercation occurred last Saturday evening at the base of Mount Everest’s Camp II and Camp III. The Nepali guide said that a rope along the climbing route needed repair, but the three European climbers insisted on continuing their ascent. As they climbed, ice chunks fell and hit the Nepali guide, sparking the brawl. A Swiss man and an Italian man were injured. However, the European climbers claimed they did not cause the ice to fall; instead, they said the Nepali guides threw rocks at them and kicked them. The Nepali government stated they would ensure the safety of foreign climbers and investigate the cause of the fight to determine who was responsible.
Challenge the Gold Record — Team Up for an Everest Brawl
Think the sword duels in Jin Yong’s novels on Mount Hua weren’t high enough? Welcome to the world’s highest peak — Mount Everest — for a real group brawl!! Not only will you challenge your true skills, but you might also accidentally challenge a Guinness World Record!! The world’s highest peak — Mount Everest (also known as Qomolangma, Mount Everest, or Sagarmatha, often abbreviated as Everest), is the main peak of the Himalayas, standing at an elevation of 8,844.43 meters to 8,848.13 meters. It attracts many international climbers every year who come here to pay homage. For example, the well-known domestic catering group — Din Tai Fung — even considers climbing Mount Everest a must-complete task for senior executives to train their willpower and physical strength. According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), recently a group of international climbers, while ascending Mount Everest, due to the thin mountain air, decided to engage in close combat to generate more body heat. Among them...
Steep slopes and slippery roads – Spring mountain bike cross-country race completed in the rain
The 2013 "Give It All – Spring Mountain Bike Cross-Country Race," organized by the Taiwan Cycling Association, was held today in Huaxing Tribe, Hanxi Village, Datong Township, Yilan County. It gathered over 160 participants from all over Taiwan and Japan. The event also featured high-difficulty stunt performances by motorcycles and off-road vehicles, drawing thunderous applause from the audience. Riders noted that today’s race, which took place along the Huaxing Farm Road, featured steep gradients and slippery surfaces, presenting a high level of challenge and making for a rare and valuable racing experience. A participant, Ms. Hirose, who ranks third in the women’s division of the All-Japan Mountain Bike Championships, traveled specifically to take part in the event. Ms. Hirose said she was very satisfied with the competition venue in Datong Township, and the warmth of the Atayal people made her feel right at home. Chen Shuangquan, renowned as the “Motorcycle God” in the technical motorcycle scene, led his team in performing stunts. Asia’s only bronze medalist
Location Scan – Hiker Falls Ill, Rescued by Helicopter
Hualien: At noon on the 22nd, a 40-year-old hiker surnamed Tseng, who was at an altitude of over 3,000 meters on Mashishan in Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County, began feeling unwell and developed high-altitude sickness complicated by pulmonary edema. The expedition leader quickly contacted emergency services for rescue. The Tainan County Fire Department immediately dispatched a twin-propeller helicopter to the scene and completed the hoist rescue by 1:30 PM, after which the patient was transported to Tainan Chenggong Hospital for treatment.
Local Spotlight – Tucheng Elementary Celebrates 100 Years with Hiking Event
New Taipei: To celebrate its centennial anniversary and coincide with the Tung Blossom Festival, Tucheng Elementary School held a hiking event yesterday to share the joy of its 100-year milestone. Nearly a thousand alumni, community members, parents, and students set off from the school campus, walking along the Shibi Liao Stream Trail, passing Nantianmu Square, and arriving at the Tung Blossom Park. Tucheng District Mayor Chiu Wu-tsuan also cheered on the families participating in the event.
Twin Guardians of Chātiān Mountain Brave Rescue of 17 Hikers
Yang Weiguo and Gao Qingshan, both serving as volunteer mountain police officers, are members of the Atayal tribe from Fuxing Township and are very familiar with the local mountain terrain. Whenever they have free time, they participate in mountain rescue missions. Over the past decade, they have each rescued more than ten people and are hailed as the "left and right guardians" of the South and North Chātiān Mountains. On the 12th, the Daxi Police Precinct held an awards ceremony at the Sanmin Village Activity Center in Fuxing Township to honor outstanding volunteer police officers. The event was presided over by Precinct Chief Wu Kunxu, with Yang Weiguo and Gao Qingshan receiving the most attention. Yang Weiguo, a postal worker, and Gao Qingshan, an electrician and plumber, joined the volunteer mountain police force when they were young. Over the past decade, they have participated in almost every mission. They once traveled south to assist in search and rescue efforts during Typhoon Morakot (also known as the 88 Floods), and together they have taken part in 11 mountain rescue operations, saving 17 lost hikers with a high success rate—earning them the title of "Left and Right Guardians of the South and North Chātiān Mountains." Because
Five police officers team up to conquer 30 mountains
Five officers from the Nanliao Police Station of the Luzhu Precinct formed their own Nanliao Mountain Climbing Club. Over the past three years, they have challenged more than 30 of Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks. Despite their long working hours and difficulty in securing leave, being police officers has actually allowed them to avoid crowds by climbing on weekdays. After scaling several peaks, their regular training performance has significantly improved. They said, “Although the process is exhausting, the sense of achievement is immense!” The club president, Zheng Xinde, is passionate about mountain climbing. Three years ago, after being transferred to the Nanliao Station, he tempted his colleagues with beautiful photos of misty mountain landscapes, skillfully avoiding any mention of the hardships of climbing. Although everyone initially realized they had been “tricked” when they started climbing, the breathtaking scenery quickly made their fatigue vanish, leaving only the satisfaction of conquest. As a result, Cai Zhengyan, Gao Xianghe, Shi Shunlin, and Wu Guodong were all “willing victims of the trick!” The five have trekked across various types of high mountains in Taiwan, conquering peaks such as Jiayi Lake, Shakaduo, and Nanhushan.
Challenging Lhotse: Li Xiaoshi Embarks on His Expedition
Li Xiaoshi, a mountaineer from Matsu who once carried a statue of Mazu to climb Mount Everest, will next month attempt to conquer the world’s fourth-highest peak, Lhotse, as he moves closer to completing his goal of scaling the 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. On the afternoon of the 8th, Li departed from Kaohsiung and transferred flights en route to Nepal. Chen Jingzhong, deputy magistrate of Lienchiang County, and others saw him off at the airport, wishing him safety, success, and a smooth journey. Li, who is 58 years old this year, plans to tackle Lhotse between May 10 and 25 for the summit push, returning to Taiwan on June 10. He said that climbing Lhotse not only requires overcoming rugged and harsh terrain but also demands rock climbing and ice climbing skills, as well as enduring prolonged isolation, extreme cold, and the physical and mental challenges of high-altitude, low-oxygen conditions. He stated that the expedition will require approximately NT$1.6 million in funding, and expressed gratitude to the Lienchiang County Government, fellow Matsu residents, and local entrepreneurs for helping raise the necessary funds. This time, he will be carrying a statue of Mazu along with Matsu fish noodles and
Carrying the Goddess Mazu on His Back, a Mountain-Climbing Maverick Tackles the World’s Fourth-Highest Peak
Mountain-climbing maverick Li Xiaoshi, who carried the Goddess Mazu to the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, in 2009, subsequently conquered the world’s tenth and third highest peaks. After a year of rigorous training, he is set to depart on April 8th once again with the Mazu statue on his back to challenge the fourth-highest peak, Lhotse, as he continues his quest to summit all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. Lhotse stands at 8,516 meters above sea level, on the border between Nepal and Tibet. Li said he plans to spend two months reaching the summit, mainly because the weather becomes significantly harsher after May, increasing the risks of the climb. Especially on the southern face, within just 2.25 kilometers, the elevation rises sharply by as much as 3.4 kilometers — a physically exhausting and dangerous challenge for any climber. “Just driving in the pitons takes a lot of time,” he noted. For this expedition, Li’s gear, equipment, and food alone weigh nearly 500 kilograms. Although two friends from Taiwan will accompany him, due to their lack of experience, they will serve as liaisons at base camp. Li will have to complete the entire climb on his own. In addition to requiring rock climbing and ice climbing skills, he must also endure the prolonged mental and physical hardships of isolation, extreme cold, and thin air.
A Day Trip to Conquer Japan's Mount Fuji
In fact, Mount Fuji is not just a spiritual icon of Japan. Its location in Shizuoka Prefecture is also the birthplace and final resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The strawberries, melons, and green tea nurtured by the snowmelt from Mount Fuji offer a taste of pure happiness. Mount Fuji is to Japan what Yushan (Jade Mountain) is to Taiwan. The difference is that Yushan is hidden deep among ranges of mountains, and it’s hard to catch a glimpse of its true form without a challenging trek. But Mount Fuji is a conical volcano that rises abruptly from flat land. Whether viewed from land or sea, its full majesty can be clearly seen from almost anywhere within a 100-kilometer radius. It stands at an elevation of 3,776 meters.
Taiwanese in Mainland China – Hiking Is Never Lonely
I heard from a local colleague that there was a peach blossom festival on Huafeng Mountain near the office on Sundays. Intrigued, I decided to go for a spring hike. After getting off the bus, I joined a group of students I’d chatted with briefly on the ride and hiked up together along a country path, enjoying the rural scenery along the way. But when we turned onto the bustling, ornate welcome entrance bustling with traffic, the scene of people and cars looked like a scaled-down version of Yangmingshan’s flower season.
King of the Mountains in the Tour de Taiwan – Feng Chun-kai achieves back-to-back titles
Taiwanese cycling star Feng Chun-kai successfully defended his title as the King of the Mountains in the 2013 International Tour de Taiwan yesterday, setting a record as the first rider in the event’s history to win the King of the Mountains crown two years in a row! With Atayal Indigenous heritage, Feng Chun-kai relied on his teammates' support to pull off this seemingly impossible feat of defending his title. Delighted, he said, “This is a result for the team, and it also shows them that a young guy from Taiwan has real talent!” Ah Kai is the first Taiwanese rider to join Hong Kong’s Champion System, a UCI ProTeam (second-tier). He’s preparing to gain the highly sought-after racing experience on the intense competition stage provided by this team, carrying great pressure as Taiwan’s top cyclist. Feng Chun-kai said, “There was a lot of pressure at the start of this year’s Tour de Taiwan. I also fell behind in the second stage at Guan-zi-ling, but luckily, I still managed to take the King of the Mountains title in the end.”
Tour de Taiwan Cycling Race Ignites in New Taipei
The sixth stage of the international Tour de Taiwan cycling race arrived in New Taipei City, where 110 elite riders from 22 teams across 29 countries competed in a thrilling pursuit race along the city’s scenic coastal highway. Mayor Eric Chu cheered on the riders before the event and expressed his hope that Taiwanese cyclist Feng Chun-kai would reclaim the King of the Mountains title. Eric Chu noted that this marks the seventh year the Tour de Taiwan has been held in New Taipei City and the second year since it was certified as a UCI Grade 1 event. The New Taipei City stage features an exceptionally challenging course, transitioning from urban to suburban areas, and from coastal roads to mountain climbs. He encouraged all riders to give their best and hoped that Feng Chun-kai, representing Taiwan, would once again win the King of the Mountains crown. Yesterday’s event kicked off with an energetic performance by the drum team from Guanghua Elementary School in New Taipei City and an Amis dance performance by Danfeng High School.
Tour de Taiwan cycling race: Feng Chun-kai dons the red jersey
Feng Chun-kai truly lives up to his title as Taiwan’s top cyclist. Yesterday, during the fifth stage of the 2013 International Tour de Taiwan in Taoyuan, he broke away from the main peloton and powered through an 85-kilometer solo effort to reclaim the King of the Mountains title and don the coveted red jersey, earning thumbs-up and praise from teammates and fans alike. Today, Feng will focus on defending his red jersey. Feng’s Champion System team is Asia’s only UCI Continental squad, offering a higher-level competitive platform. Yesterday marked one of the team’s best displays of teamwork, with teammate Bel, the winner of the fourth stage, guiding him through the route. Although Bel urged him to take it easy, Feng didn’t have it easy at all—he endured the 85-kilometer push, secured the first-place points at the first climb of the day, and with a cumulative 16 points, overtook Qin Chenlu of China’s Victory Team, the previous stage’s King of the Mountains, to claim the new lead.
Stage 4 of the Tour de Taiwan: Chinese Rider Wins King of the Mountains
The 4th stage of the 2013 International Cycling Tour de Taiwan kicked off in Taichung City on the 21st. Qin Chenlu from the Mainland's Wan Sheng Pro Cycling Team claimed the King of the Mountains title, while the stage winner was Bell from the Champion System Pro Cycling Team, and the Asian champion was Choi Ki Ho from Hong Kong. ∪The race started from Taichung City Hall, passing through key mountainous, coastal, and urban areas and attractions of Greater Taichung, including Shalu, Dajia, Houli, Shihkang, and Dongshi. The final 10 kilometers traversed the Taichung Science Park, culminating in a 3-kilometer climb leading to the Taichung Metropolitan Park.
Battling for King of the Mountains – Feng Jun-kai Gives It His All
The speed during the Taiwan Cycling Tour stage in Changhua was intense, with Taiwanese riders also turning into speed demons. Feng Jun-kai surged to first at the climb point, Wang Yin-zhi was the first through the sprint point, and Hong Kun-hong and Zeng Yi-hao from Shen Teng Merida swapped wheels at lightning speed. Unfortunately, sharp-eyed officials spotted the move, ruling it a violation and fining them over 7,000 NT dollars. Our rider Feng Jun-kai, who now races for the Hong Kong-based Champion System team, lost the King of the Mountains title at Guan-zi-ling the day before yesterday. But yesterday he came back strong, attacking on a climb just over 10 kilometers into the race. He led through the climb point and secured 6 points, tying him with Earl from Australia’s Team Chipotle-First Solar, the previous King of the Mountains, who also had 6 points. However, because Ah Kai (Feng’s nickname) has a lower overall ranking, he couldn’t reclaim the red jersey. He said, “Being able to score King of the Mountains points is because I know this section well – I took the initiative when I found the right rhythm.” Feng Jun-kai experienced cramps in the final 5 kilometers, which made him hesitant to contest the second climb point near the finish line, ultimately losing his chance at the King of the Mountains title.
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The China Tourism Conference and Hami Tourism High-Quality Development Forum were held in Hami, Xinjiang...
The CASIO PRO TREK PRW-60YBM features unique elements primarily in its strap: a detachable, specially woven material that reduces weight, along with the first use of MXP? deodorizing material MAXIFRESH?, designed to address the inevitable body odor and bacterial growth during prolonged mountain climbing, thereby enhancing wearing comfort.
Mount Fuji May Become a World Heritage Site, Future Climbers Could Face Fees
Want to take on 3,776-meter Mount Fuji? That’s probably one of the dreams of many hikers — to admire the beautiful sunrise from Fuji’s peak and gaze at the stunning views of Japan’s Kanto region from above. But hikers, take note: you might have to pay a “mountain entry fee” in the future. Good news came earlier this month: Mount Fuji, located at the border of Japan’s Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, is expected to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. If all goes as planned, the UNESCO meeting in Cambodia this June will officially announce that Mount Fuji will become Japan’s 13th World Heritage Site. But even before the final approval for the heritage listing is secured, discussions have already begun about whether climbers might need to pay fees in the future. Mount Fuji begins to accumulate snow from mid-September to mid-October each year, and the snow on the summit doesn’t melt until June of the following year — sometimes remnants can still be seen even in mid-July. Therefore, the best time to climb Mount Fuji is during the summer months of July and August each year, while the mountain is closed during other seasons.