Classic Itineraries
Location Scan - Mountain Hiking Festival to Kick Off in Pinglin
New Taipei: The 2013 New Taipei City Mountain Hiking Festival will be held on the 15th in Pinglin District. The starting point is the parking lot of Pinglin Nanshan Temple, and the endpoint is Shigongjiwei Mountain. To alleviate crowds, guided tours will depart in two batches at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Participation is welcome and free.
Japan’s Yamanashi Prefecture is studying regulations for charging a Mount Fuji climbing fee
Yamanashi Governor Shomei Yokouchi stated that regulations for collecting a Mount Fuji climbing fee are currently under study. Mount Fuji is located between Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, with both prefectures having climbing routes; the Shizuoka Prefectural Government also plans to start charging fees this summer. The Shizuoka Prefectural Government previously stated that the climbing fee is intended to control the number of climbers and prevent damage to Mount Fuji’s environment. Some Japanese travel agencies estimate that the Mount Fuji climbing fee will be around 1,000 yen per person.
Mount Fuji May Introduce Climbing Fees
The soon-to-be UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mount Fuji, may start charging climbing fees this summer. Mount Fuji is located between Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, with both prefectures having their own climbing routes. Today, Yamanashi Governor Yoshitaka Yokouchi said they are currently drafting relevant fee regulations. Meanwhile, the Shizuoka Prefectural Government plans to begin charging fees this summer. The Shizuoka Prefectural Government previously stated that the climbing fee aims to control the number of hikers and prevent environmental damage to Mount Fuji. Some Japanese travel agencies estimate that the climbing fee for Mount Fuji could be around 1,000 Japanese yen, approximately 300 New Taiwan Dollars per person.
Two lost female hikers arrived at the Sanliujiu Mountain Hut late at night
Two female hikers, who were climbing in the Daxue Mountain area, got lost and suffered from hypothermia yesterday evening about 2.5 kilometers away from the Sanliujiu Mountain Hut. They called for help from the fire department. The Taichung City Fire Bureau dispatched a rescue team in the evening and continued to maintain contact with the two women, guiding them back to the Sanliujiu Mountain Hut. The two finally arrived at the hut after 11 p.m., where they received warm clothing and are not in immediate danger. The rescue team also set out from the Qika Mountain Hut in the morning and is expected to meet up with the two women in the afternoon. (Nguyen Van Loc reporting)
A passion for mountain climbing that hasn't waned in 20 years
Taiwan's mobile phone market is ever-changing, and Samsung Taiwan adheres to the "Plan–Do–See" (plan, execute, adjust as needed) approach to accelerate response times. Du Weiyu, General Manager of Samsung Taiwan's Mobile Communications Division, laughs as he recalls how his secretary often fills every moment from his 8 a.m. arrival at the office to his 8 p.m. departure with back-to-back meetings, leaving him no time even for a simple lunch outside the office. In the evenings, if there are no business engagements, he uses mobile messaging apps to apologize to or explain himself to colleagues who were scolded earlier in the day due to his impatience. His impulsive nature, high-pressure lifestyle, and a family history of hypertension make stress relief especially important to Du. He says that every night before lying down to sleep, touching his beloved cameras and flipping through photography magazines helps calm both his mind and thoughts after the day’s high-stress environment.
Area Scan – Qianrendong Cave and Shuiyang Forest: No Hiking Allowed
Chiayi County: In recent years, Qianrendong Cave and Shuiyang Forest in Alishan Township have become popular hiking destinations. However, this trail is not an officially open hiking route. This year, three mountain accident incidents have already occurred. The Chiayi County Fire Bureau urges hikers not to venture into this area.
Jiayi County’s Hottest Hiking Routes – Avoid After Earthquake
Jiayi County’s Alishan’s Thousand-People Cave and Shuiyang Forest are among the hottest hiking routes, but a recent earthquake caused a fatal falling rock accident. The Jiayi County Fire Bureau urges hikers not to visit these areas after the quake. The 921 Earthquake created the Shuiyang Forest barrier lake northeast of Fengshan Village in Alishan Township and near Shanlinxi in Nantou County. The unique scenery of the white tree forest became widely known among hikers through word of mouth, making it one of the most popular trails in recent years. Additionally, the Thousand-People Cave in Fengshan Village is favored for its pristine landscape, making it ideal for hiking and exploration, attracting a constant stream of visitors. Today, the Jiayi County Fire Bureau stated that hikers can access the Thousand-People Cave or Shuiyang Forest from Fengshan Village in Alishan Township or Shanlinxi in Nantou County. However, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Ren’ai Township in Nantou County on June 2. At the time, an eight-member hiking team was on their way from Fengshan Village to the Thousand-People Cave when a hiker surnamed Liu, unable to dodge in time, was struck by a falling rock. He was sent to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Mount Everest Becomes a Tourist Attraction — The World’s Highest Peak Overrun with Crowds
It’s probably hard to imagine that Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak first conquered by humans sixty years ago, would one day be overcrowded. In May 1953, New Zealand mountaineer (Hillary) and Sherpa guide (Tenzing Norgay) became the first people in the world to climb to the top of the Earth’s highest mountain. They achieved an unprecedented feat, and while it was natural that others would follow, no one could have imagined that the world’s No. 1 peak would become what it is today — a place where climbers come in an endless stream, even crowded to the point of chaos. A large part of this is thanks to the continuous advancement of climbing gear and equipment, as well as the dedication of Sherpa guides, enabling more and more mountaineers to realize what was once considered an impossible dream. According to statistics, in 1990, only 18 out of every 100 people who attempted to climb Everest succeeded. Last year, the success rate reached 56 percent. As a result, the summit of the world’s highest peak sometimes looks eerily like a highway jammed with cars during a long holiday.
Wooden Plank Walkway in Taiji Canyon Hit by Falling Rock, Hiker Injured and Rescued
At the time of the earthquake, on the wooden hiking plank walkway from Zhushan’s Taiji Canyon to the Sky Ladder, witnesses saw someone hit by a falling rock. With no time to call medical personnel, bystanders quickly stepped in to rescue the person.
Location Scan – Hiker Goes Missing, Man Rescued Safely
Hualien: A 25-year-old surnamed Liao from a 19-person hiking group in Nantou County went missing after getting lost on the Nenggao Traverse Trail in Xiulin Township in the early hours of the 2nd. The Hualien County Fire Bureau received the report at 1:24 a.m. and immediately dispatched personnel to conduct a mountain search and rescue operation. Liao was found at 11 a.m. Fortunately, he had brought warm clothing and food, and was in good health when rescued.
1 Dead in Earthquake-Related Mountain Climbing Accident; Family Complains About Slow Rescue
Liu Jinlu, a resident of Tainan City, went mountain climbing in Alishan today but unfortunately died after being hit by falling rocks during an earthquake. His family complained that no helicopter was dispatched immediately, delaying the rescue. A group of eight from the Haidong Community Mountaineering Team in Tainan City had planned to go hiking at Qianren Cave in Fengshan Village, Alishan Township in the morning. When the earthquake struck, the group, which was still en route, first heard a loud “boom, boom!” from the hillside. The eight immediately started running forward, but Liu Jinlu, who was in the fourth position, was unfortunately grazed by a huge boulder that rolled down the slope. Despite being rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead. Liu Jinlu was sent to the Chiayi Branch of Taichung Veterans General Hospital for emergency treatment. Cai Zhenghan, director of the emergency room, stated that the patient had no breathing or heartbeat upon arrival and could not be revived despite resuscitation efforts. The deceased suffered a hematoma on the back of the head, severe contusions on the left chest, combined with hemothorax and pneumothorax, as well as a 2–3 cm open wound on the left chest.
One dead in earthquake mountaineering accident; companions still shaken
A resident of Tainan City, Liu Jinlu, was hiking on Alishan today when he was struck by falling rocks during an earthquake and died. His companions, recalling the emergency at the time, are still deeply shaken.
Hiking group from Nantou goes missing in Tongmen, Hualien; firefighters launch mountain rescue
A hiking team from Nantou County reported this morning that a man went missing at the 25.5km marker of the Nenggao Mountain Crossing Trail. Upon receiving the report, the Hualien County Fire Bureau immediately assembled a five-team, 21-person rescue squad to search the mountain and also deployed a helicopter for aerial searches, but no sign of the missing person has been found.
Housewife mountaineer feared dead after challenging Himalayas
Japanese media, citing the Nepal Tourism Board, reported that three climbers went missing during an ascent of Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-highest peak at 8,167 meters in the Himalayas, after encountering an avalanche, including one Japanese woman. According to the Japan Mountaineering Association for Workers, the woman is believed to be 66-year-old Kazuko Kono, a housewife mountaineer from Nerima, Tokyo. Nepal authorities stated that they have been unable to establish contact with the three climbers on the ground since the 22nd of this month, and currently suspect that Kazuko Kono and her Sherpa guide may have both perished. Kazuko Kono began serious mountaineering in her fifties, successfully summiting multiple peaks, and is a well-known housewife mountaineer in Japan.
Avalanche on Mount Everest: Three Climbers Missing
An avalanche occurred on Dhaulagiri Peak in the Himalayas, leaving three climbers missing, including 66-year-old Japanese woman Chizuko Kono, who is likely to have perished. Dhaulagiri Peak, standing at 8,167 meters, is the world’s seventh-highest mountain. The Nepal Tourism Board stated that they have been unable to contact the three individuals since last Wednesday. Rescue teams have discovered two bodies at an altitude of over 7,000 meters and are working to confirm their identities. According to Kyodo News, Chizuko Kono had climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents. Before her departure, she mentioned that this would be her final climb above 8,000 meters.
Hiker in Coma from Altitude Sickness Rescued by Air Force
A hiker surnamed Du was found in a coma this morning at the Heishuitang mountain hut in Sioulin Township, Hualien County, suspected of suffering from acute altitude sickness. The Air Force dispatched a rescue helicopter and successfully carried out the evacuation. The Ministry of National Defense announced in a press release today that at 4:11 a.m., they received a report from the National Search and Rescue Center stating that hiker Du, at an altitude of approximately 2,700 meters at the Heishuitang mountain hut in Sioulin Township, Hualien County, was suspected of having acute altitude sickness and was in urgent need of medical treatment. The request was made for military helicopter support for an evacuation mission. The Ministry of National Defense noted that upon receiving the report, they immediately ordered an S-70C helicopter with tail number K-493 from the Air Force’s Chiayi base to carry out the rescue mission. The helicopter took off from Chiayi base at 5:24 a.m., entered the target area at 5:58 a.m., successfully hoisted the patient at 6:20 a.m., and landed back at Chiayi base at 6:49 a.m. The patient was then transferred by ambulance from the Chiayi County Fire Department to Chiayi Branch of Taichung Veterans General Hospital for treatment. 1020526
Step into the 2013 Asia Outdoor Exhibition and experience Clorts' leisure-oriented outdoor philosophy
Clorts originates from the combination of CLIMB (climbing) and SPORTS (sports), breaking through with innovation and exploration, and driven by the belief of "reaching new heights and challenging oneself." It calls on people to step outdoors, enjoy the happiness of outdoor leisure sports through activities close to nature, and experience the comfortable lifestyle brought by outdoor tech products. ...
Hainan Launches Self-Drive Tour Event
On November 3, the welcome ceremony for the nationwide large-scale self-drive tour event “Heading South to Discover the Beauty of Hainan,” hosted by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, was held at the Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal. The event warmly welcomed self-drive enthusiasts and travel experts from Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu in a way that highlighted local Hainan characteristics.
Area Scan – Hiker Not Back, Rescuers Locate Him
New Taipei: A 29-year-old man surnamed Lin from Taipei City set out on a hiking trip to Wulai on the seventh. He planned to hike all the way to Yilan and then take transportation back home, but he had not returned by the previous evening and could not be reached. His family, worried, reported him missing. A search and rescue team composed of police, firefighters, and mountain rescuers finally found Lin at 3 p.m. on the ninth, three kilometers upstream from Ayu Bridge in Ayu Creek. He was in stable condition and has been handed over to his family.
Mount Fuji Opens for Climbing Season, Welcoming a Surge of Mountaineers
Today marks the first opening of Mount Fuji for climbing since it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing a large crowd of early risers. The 3,776-meter-high Mount Fuji, straddling Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, is Japan’s highest peak. To catch the breathtaking sight of the sunrise known as "Goraiko" from the summit, many people had climbed before dawn. Around 4:40 a.m., the sun emerged from behind the clouds, prompting cheers on the mountaintop. Authorities estimate that the number of climbers will continue to rise in the future, posing challenges to both safety and environmental protection. Currently, there are four designated climbing routes: Yoshida in Yamanashi Prefecture, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya in Shizuoka Prefecture. At 9 a.m., the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture, held an opening ceremony to pray for the safety and well-being of climbers.