Classic Itineraries
Three foreign mountaineers die climbing the world’s third-highest peak
Three foreign mountaineers died while attempting to climb the world’s third-highest peak, and their two Nepali guides also perished. The three foreigners included two Hungarians and one South Korean. On Monday, when they reached an altitude of 3,000 meters, they lost contact with their base camp due to severe weather. Today, it has been confirmed that all three foreigners and the two Nepali guides have died. The mountain they were climbing is located on the border between Nepal and India, known as Kangchenjunga, which stands at 8,586 meters above sea level and is the world’s third-highest peak.
Hiker Li Xiaoshi Dies on Lhotse; Will Be Laid to Rest on the Mountain
Li Xiaoshi, an eccentric mountaineer who conquered the world’s fourth-highest peak, Lhotse, is believed to have died from high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE). Nepalese authorities confirmed today that Li Xiaoshi will be laid to rest on Lhotse. Li Xiaoshi, who once carried a statue of Mazu to successfully summit Mount Everest, set out again on April 8 with the same sacred statue to climb Lhotse. At 9 p.m. on May 17, he successfully reached the summit, becoming the first Taiwanese person to conquer Lhotse. On his descent, Li Xiaoshi is believed to have collapsed from extreme exhaustion at Camp 4 and fell into a coma. Although he regained consciousness briefly after being treated by a doctor from an international climbing team on May 18, he passed away in the early hours of May 20. His family obtained a document from Nepalese authorities detailing the moments before his death. The report was compiled by a man named Dawa Steven S...
4 Food Source Trails Invite You to Hike and Taste Fresh Delights
The New Taipei City Tourism Bureau launched four food source trail hiking activities on the 21st, including bamboo shoot tasting on Guanyin Mountain in Wugu, tea sampling on Shigongjwei Mountain in Pinglin, admiring tea plantation scenery on Paizidao Trail in Shenkeng, and trying wild ginger flower dishes on Lingtouguanri Trail in Shuangxi — each with its own unique features and well worth a visit. New Taipei City Tourism Bureau held a press conference yesterday, inviting the public to experience the joy of hiking and explore the origins of ingredients. Tourism Bureau Director Chen Guojun stated that it is currently the peak season for wild ginger flowers, Pinglin tea, and green bamboo shoots. The four recommended trails not only allow visitors to get close to nature but also promote fitness through exercise. Summer is the season for high-fiber, delicious green bamboo shoots. The "Forest Canopy Trail" on Guanyin Mountain takes about half an hour round trip. Not only can you taste green bamboo shoots here, but you can also choose different trails based on your physical ability, making it suitable for all ages. It is also an outdoor educational site for bird ecology. Pinglin District
Hiker Li Xiaoshi Dies During Expedition; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assists with Aftermath
Renowned mountaineer Li Xiaoshi passed away while climbing Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ representative office in New Delhi, India, will dispatch personnel to assist with handling the remains and covering rescue expenses. Li Xiaoshi, 58, was born in Matsu and currently resides in Puzi City, Chiayi County. On April 8, he carried a statue of the Goddess Mazu as he began his ascent of Lhotse. On the evening of May 17, he successfully reached the summit but fell into a coma on the descent, likely due to extreme physical exhaustion. Yesterday, while awaiting rescue, Li Xiaoshi was treated by a doctor from an international mountaineering team and was conscious, showing signs of improvement. However, today brings the sad news of his passing. Lyu Hanyue, a fellow climber who was with Li Xiaoshi at the Lhotse base camp on April 8, relayed information at noon today from Lin Quanming, another climber at the base camp, who had sent news back to Taiwan. According to the report, Li Xiaoshi passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning, without pain and in a serene state.
Lhotse Summit Attempt: Mountaineering Legend Li Xiaoshi Nearly Loses Life
Li Xiaoshi, the eccentric mountaineer who once carried a statue of Mazu to Mount Everest, successfully summited Nepal’s Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak, but reportedly fell into a coma due to exhaustion. Yesterday, his family and friends initially received news of his death, only to be later informed that he was still alive. An international mountaineering team is assisting in his evacuation, while his wife, Lin Qingqing, and fellow climbers have booked flights and are expected to arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, by the 20th at the earliest. A 58-year-old who once carried a Mazu statue to Everest The 58-year-old Li Xiaoshi is from Matsu and currently resides in Puzi, Chiayi County. In 2009, he carried a statue of Mazu to the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, and in 2011, he climbed the eighth-highest peak, Manaslu, making him the only Taiwanese to have scaled two of the world’s ten highest peaks. This year, he challenged Lhotse, the fourth-highest peak. At 10:30 AM yesterday, Li’s family and friends received a text message from a Kathmandu-based mountaineering company informing them of his death.
Renowned mountaineer Li Xiaoshi dies on Lhotse; to be buried in the mountains
Li Xiaoshi, known as a "mountaineering eccentric" for once carrying a statue of Mazu up Mount Everest, traveled to Nepal to challenge the world’s fourth-highest peak, Lhotse. After successfully reaching the summit, he fell into a coma due to exhaustion and has now been confirmed dead. The tragic news reached Taiwan, leaving his wife, Lin Qingqing, devastated and in disbelief. She said she plans to visit Nepal at a later date to handle the funeral arrangements and will, in principle, respect Li’s wish to be buried in the mountains, to remain forever close to the nature he loved. (Reported by Pang Qinglian) A passionate mountaineer, Li Xiaoshi had explored nearly every major mountain in Taiwan after retiring from military service years ago. He captured astonishing alpine scenery through his camera lens. In November 2000, after completing his quest to climb all of Taiwan’s “Hundred Peaks,” he made a grand vow to scale every mountain in the world over 8,000 meters.
Mountain climbing legend Li Xiaoshi vowed to carry the Goddess Mazu up four of the world’s most challenging peaks
Mountain climber Li Xiaoshi once pledged to carry a statue of the Goddess Mazu to climb the world’s four great peaks. After successfully scaling Lhotse this time, he fell into a coma, leaving family and friends deeply worried. Li Xiaoshi was born on Matsu and is a devout follower of Mazu. He was born on October 10, 1955—the National Day of the Republic of China. Although he was born on an island, he had a deep love for mountains and forests. Li Xiaoshi’s devotion to Mazu was influenced by his father, Li Erxi. In the autumn of 1980, Li’s father went fishing from Matsu when their boat encountered an 8-magnitude storm near the Zhoushan Archipelago, causing the vessel to capsize. Li’s father and six crew members drifted at sea for four days. On the third day of drifting, Li’s father dreamed during the day that Mazu appeared to him and told him to hold on, promising that he would be rescued the next day. Though half-doubting, he was indeed rescued on the fourth day after the shipwreck by a fishing boat from mainland China.
Disguised in Hiking Gear, Three Illegal Loggers Nabbed by Police
Three men wearing hiking work clothes went to the mountainous area of Taitung to steal camphor tree remnants. They were caught by police on their way down the mountain, and 20 kilograms of camphor remnants, along with methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, were found in their vehicle. The case, including all evidence, has been handed over to the Taitung District Prosecutors Office for investigation according to the law. The three suspects, who had prior records for theft and drug-related offenses, initially claimed to police from the Guanshan Police Precinct in Taitung County that the camphor remnants were picked up from the roadside. However, they were covered in mud from head to toe and were dressed in hiking work clothes, which quickly raised the officers’ suspicions. Upon further inspection, methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found in one suspect’s backpack, and 20 kilograms of camphor remnants were also discovered in the vehicle.
185 hikers in distress during Japan’s Golden Week; 22 dead or missing
Japan’s Golden Week has just ended, and the National Police Agency of Japan released statistics showing that between April 27 and May 6, the Golden Week holiday period, there were a total of 141 hiking accidents nationwide, putting 185 people in distress. Among them, 22 died or went missing, 83 were injured, and 80 descended the mountains safely. Japan’s Golden Week this year was formed by two short holidays connected to create an extended break, resulting in a high volume of domestic tourism activities. These hikers took advantage of the holiday to go trekking, and 76.2% of the victims were aged 40 or older. The National Police Agency stated that in the past 20 years, this year saw the highest number of both hikers in distress and the total number of hiking accidents.
Area Scan - Rescuers Attacked by Hornets While Saving Hiker
Pingtung: On the eighth, Mr. Huang, a resident of Pingtung, got separated from his companions while hiking on Pengji Mountain in Laiyi Township, Pingtung. Forty-four police and firefighters were dispatched to search for him. At 7 a.m. on the ninth, Mr. Huang was found in a valley. Among the rescuers were several indigenous police officers with experience in mountain rescue operations, who took turns carrying Mr. Huang down the mountain. Along the way, they were attacked by hornets, and some rescuers were stung. Despite this, they safely brought him down, and an ambulance transported Mr. Huang to the hospital for treatment.
Hiker found after going missing; minor injuries to limbs treated at hospital
A man in Pingtung County was reported missing during a hike yesterday. After the fire department received the report, rescuers and mountain volunteers immediately began searching the area. The man was found this morning. Aside from weakness in his limbs and minor scrapes on his hands and feet, he is in good condition. The Pingtung County Fire Department received a report yesterday afternoon that a 60-year-old man surnamed Huang, who lives in Chaozhou Township, had gone missing while hiking at [Pengji Mountain] in Danlin Village, Laiyi Township. The Laiyi Fire Station promptly dispatched over ten personnel, including police, volunteer firefighters, and mountain rescuers, to search for him. Despite searching until late last night, Huang was not found, and the rescue team had to temporarily suspend the operation. At 5:30 this morning, as daylight broke, they resumed the search. At 7:30 a.m., the Special Search Team reported that Huang had been located. Apart from feeling weak in his limbs and having some minor scrapes on his hands and feet, he was not seriously injured. Rescuers promptly brought him down the mountain and sent him to the hospital for examination.
Area Scan – A 60-Year-Old Hiker Goes Missing, Police and Volunteers Search
Laiyi: On the morning of the 8th, a 60-year-old man from Chaozhou Township, Huang Rongxin, went hiking at Pangjishan in Danlin Village, Laiyi, along with his younger brother and sister. After getting out of the car, Huang went up the mountain on his own without waiting for his siblings. By the time they returned down the mountain, he was nowhere to be found. The Laiyi police substation immediately mobilized eight police officers and volunteer firefighters to search the mountain but still have not located him.
The Mayon Volcano in the Philippines boasts spectacular scenery, but foreign hikers risk their lives to see it
Mount Mayon in the Philippines suddenly erupted yesterday, and around thirty hikers who were climbing at the time were struck by falling rocks. So far, five deaths have been confirmed and more than ten people have been injured. Local officials said that almost all the victims were foreigners. Associated Press reported that Mount Mayon is an active volcano and also considered the most active in the Philippines, erupting about forty times a year. Eruptions like yesterday’s are not uncommon for Mount Mayon. Although climbing Mount Mayon carries considerable risks, the volcano has been relatively stable recently, and its unique crater views along with the spectacular sight of lava flows make many hikers—especially foreign ones—willing to take the gamble to witness its breathtaking scenery.
Philippines' Mayon Volcano erupts spectacularly, at least five foreign hikers killed
Mayon Volcano is an active volcano and is considered the most active in the Philippines, erupting about 40 times a year. Eruptions like the one yesterday are not uncommon for Mayon. Although climbing Mayon Volcano carries considerable risks, many hikers — especially foreign ones — are willing to take the gamble in recent times due to its relative stability, unique crater views, and the spectacular sight of lava flows.
A volcano erupts in the Philippines, leaving one Thai hiker missing
A volcano in the Philippines erupted yesterday, with one Thai hiker reported missing, bringing the potential death toll from the eruption to six and injuries to twelve. Mount Mayon, located in central Philippines, erupted early yesterday morning after being dormant for six years. At the time, 27 tourists and guides were near the crater. These tourists were from Germany, Austria, Thailand, and Indonesia. It is known that three German tourists, one Spanish tourist, and one Filipino guide were killed by falling rocks, with twelve others injured. Today, media reports indicate that one more Thai tourist is listed as missing. If confirmed dead, the death toll from this volcanic eruption will rise to six. A guide said that when the volcano erupted, dense fog enveloped the area around the crater. He was leading the tourists cautiously down the mountain when rocks ejected from the crater began to fall—some as large as backpacks—striking the tourists, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Woman Climbing a Mountain Accidentally Falls into a Valley While Trying to Retrieve an Umbrella
A woman surnamed Chung from Taichung, along with friends, was hiking on the Yuanzui Shaolai Trail in the Daxue Mountain area when she fell into a valley while trying to retrieve a fallen umbrella. Fortunately, she was located via phone contact and was successfully rescued.
Philippine volcano erupts, 4 hikers killed
One of the Philippines’ most active volcanoes, Mayon, erupted today, spewing massive ash clouds that killed four hikers and left several others trapped near the crater. Mayon Volcano is located in Albay Province. Governor Joey Salceda said authorities have deployed search and rescue teams to locate the trapped hikers and guides. Guide Kenneth Jesalva told ABS-CBN TV via mobile phone that the four hikers were killed by huge falling rocks. Another hiking group, comprising five foreigners and three Filipino guides, had one member seriously injured. One of the deceased was a Filipino citizen, while the nationalities of the other three remain unknown. Authorities have not yet recovered any bodies.
Location Scan – Hiker Falls into Ravine in Aowanda and Dies
Nantou: A hiker surnamed Huang was attempting to go stream tracing at the confluence of the South Fork of the Aowanda River in Ren’ai Township on the 15th when he slipped on a rock due to fatigue and was swept away by the current. The Ren’ai Fire Department received the report and, together with four firefighters from the Puli branch, five volunteer firefighters, and nine members of the Divine Eagle Search and Rescue Team, conducted searches in two shifts at the Qin’ai Police Station. Yesterday, they divided into three groups for a comprehensive ground search and found the body around 9 a.m. in the direction of the canyon from the South Fork. The body was transported to Ren’ai Junior High School at around 11 a.m.
Hiker swept away by river, body found
A hiker surnamed Huang was swept away by a river yesterday in the Aowanda Mountain area of Nantou’s Ren’ai Township. Rescue teams searched through the night and found Huang’s body on the riverbed this morning, with no signs of life. Nantou County Fire Bureau reported that a five-person hiking team from Taichung was climbing Nenggao Antongjun Mountain in Ren’ai Township. At 10:40 a.m. yesterday, while crossing the southern section of the Aowanda River, 56-year-old team member Huang was unexpectedly washed away by a sudden surge of water. Due to poor mobile phone signal in the mountainous area, it wasn’t until 4:15 p.m. that his companions found a spot with reception and called for help. Ren’ai Township police and firefighters immediately deployed 19 rescuers for an overnight search. This morning, a helicopter transported over 10 additional personnel into the area. Teams searched both upstream and downstream from Aowanda Forest Recreation Area and Wujie Dam. Around 8 a.m., they found what appeared to be the hiker’s jacket and backpack. At around 9 a.m., Huang’s body was located on the downstream riverbed, but he showed no signs of life.
Location Scan – New Taipei Mountain Hiking Festival to be Held Tomorrow
New Taipei: The 2013 New Taipei City Mountain Hiking Festival is scheduled to take place on the 15th in Pinglin District. The starting point is the parking lot of Nanshan Temple in Pinglin, and the endpoint is Shigongjiwei Mountain. To alleviate crowding, guided tours will depart in two batches at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM respectively. Participation is welcome and free.