Classic Itineraries
Hiker Suffers from Altitude Sickness, Rescued by Seagull Helicopter
A hiker surnamed Chen experienced symptoms of altitude sickness, such as dizziness, while climbing Yushan (Jade Mountain) and required rescue. The Chiayi Air Base of the Air Force urgently dispatched a Seagull helicopter to carry out the rescue and successfully assisted in transporting the individual to a hospital for treatment. The Chiayi Air Base stated that the rescue team received a notification from the National Search and Rescue Center at 11:12 a.m. today, reporting that a hiker surnamed Chen had developed symptoms of altitude sickness, including dizziness, while ascending Yushan. Immediately at 11:21 a.m., a Seagull helicopter was dispatched from the Chiayi base to carry out the rescue mission. The Seagull helicopter arrived at the target area, located the individual after a search, and then landed on an open space next to a mountain hut to rescue the injured hiker, surnamed Chen, on board. After an initial assessment by the onboard paramedic, the patient showed no obvious external injuries and was conscious. The helicopter returned to the Chiayi base at 12:11 p.m., and the hiker, surnamed Chen, was subsequently transferred by ambulance from the Chiayi County Fire Bureau to the Chiayi Branch of Taichung Veterans General Hospital for treatment. 1021231
Suspected altitude sickness attack; rescued and evacuated by military forces
The Ministry of National Defense received a report from the National Search and Rescue Center today stating that a hiker surnamed Chen experienced suspected altitude sickness while climbing in Lulugu Valley, Taoyuan District, Kaohsiung City, and was evacuated by a military helicopter. The Ministry of National Defense stated today that at 11:11 a.m., it received a report from the National Search and Rescue Center that a hiker surnamed Chen, while climbing in Lulugu Valley, Taoyuan, Kaohsiung, was suspected of suffering from altitude sickness and requested helicopter assistance. The Ministry of National Defense ordered an S-70C helicopter (tail number: K-492) from the Air Force’s Chiayi Base to carry out the evacuation mission. The helicopter took off from Chiayi Base at 11:21 a.m., arrived at the target area at 11:48 a.m., departed the area with the patient at 11:50 a.m., and landed at Chiayi Base at 12:09 p.m. The patient was then transported by ambulance from the Chiayi County Fire Bureau to Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Chiayi Branch, for treatment, successfully completing the evacuation mission. 102
Female hiker falls ill; military dispatches helicopter for emergency medical evacuation
A female hiker experienced acute mountain sickness in the mountainous area of Nantou County today. The Ministry of National Defense deployed a helicopter for an emergency hoist rescue, successfully landing in Zhushan and completing the medical evacuation mission. The Ministry of National Defense stated that at 8:08 a.m., they received a report from the National Search and Rescue Center: a hiking team in Nantou County, while passing by Tianchi Mountain Lodge in Ren'ai Township, reported that a female hiker surnamed Li was suffering from acute mountain sickness and needed urgent medical treatment. They requested military helicopter support for the evacuation mission. After receiving the report, the Ministry of National Defense immediately ordered an S-70C helicopter from the Air Force’s Chiayi Base to carry out the evacuation. The helicopter departed for the Nantou mountain area at 8:13 a.m., located the target zone at 8:45 a.m., completed the patient hoist at 8:53 a.m., and landed in Zhushan at 9:12 a.m. The patient was then transported by ambulance from the Fire Bureau to Show Chwan Hospital’s Zhushan Branch for treatment, successfully completing the evacuation mission.
Two Hikers Suffer from Altitude Sickness at Taoshan Mountain Hut in Zhongshi District, Successfully Rescued
Amid a cold snap, the Taichung City Fire Department received an emergency call in the early hours of the 27th from the Shei-Pa National Park Administration reporting that a hiking group of six members had taken shelter at the Taoshan Mountain Hut in Heping District due to severe weather. Among them, two male hikers were suspected of suffering from altitude sickness and were unable to walk on their own, prompting a rescue request. Due to thick cloud cover preventing helicopter flights, the Taichung City Fire Department coordinated assistance from Yilan County and Hsinchu County to launch a mountain rescue operation. The hikers were successfully rescued in the afternoon, and all individuals are safe. The Taichung City Fire Department stated that the first team of four rescuers was assembled and proceeded with a ground approach. However, as Provincial Highway 7A was blocked, the team rerouted via Yilan County to access the Snow Mountain Range. In addition to ground efforts, the fire department’s command center also applied to the National Fire Agency under the Ministry of the Interior for helicopter support. However, continuous rainy weather and poor conditions, along with the thick cloud cover, made helicopter operations impossible. Moreover, the Siyuan Pass section experienced falling rocks, resulting in road closures. To make the most of the critical golden rescue window, the fire department reported the situation to the Yilan County and Hsinchu County Fire Bureaus and requested additional rescue support. Each of the two counties dispatched four rescuers to assist in the mountain operation. At noon on the 27th, Yilan County rescuers reported that they had located the hikers, and around 2 p.m., the hikers were brought out of the Snow Mountain Range. All individuals were unharmed but opted not to seek medical treatment.
A cold snap brings ice pellets to Yushan; rime scenery amid harsh weather makes climbing difficult
A strong cold front has swept in, bringing some moisture to Yushan’s main peak. Though it didn’t snow, rare ice pellets fell. Above Paiyun Lodge, stunning rime scenery emerged. Strong winds and severe weather around the North Peak have forced many mountaineering teams aiming for the summit to turn back. The Yushan National Park Headquarters has implemented partial snowfield controls—climbing teams must be equipped with proper snow gear to gain entry. The strong cold front rapidly drove down temperatures in the previously warming lowlands, and Taiwan’s highest peak, Yushan, is especially frigid. According to the North Peak weather station, temperatures once dropped to minus six degrees Celsius—the second lowest this winter. Although it was cold enough, there wasn’t enough moisture for snowfall on the main peak. However, near Paiyun Lodge, relatively rare ice pellets fell. Mountain weather is highly changeable, with moments of sunlight and frequent thick fog. Coupled with previous cold fronts, Yushan has long been blanketed in white.
Yangmei Xiucai Hiking Trail: Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom
At the Yangmei Xiucai Hiking Trail, hundreds of cherry blossom trees are set to burst into full bloom, attracting many visitors for a spring outing and flower appreciation. People are eagerly capturing the pink cherry blossom scenery with their cameras and phones. The Xiucai Village Office stated that there are hundreds of cherry blossom trees along the hiking trail, with about 70–80% currently in bloom. Once they are in full flower, the sight will be truly spectacular.
Hiker falls into valley; air and ground rescue teams send them to hospital
Police and firefighters in Nantou County spent the night rescuing a hiker who fell into a valley and was injured on the Batongguan Trail in Xinyi Township. This morning, they helped the hiker get out and arranged for an air force helicopter to transport them to hospital. Two hikers surnamed Duan and Ke entered the mountain from the Xiangyang Trailhead in Taitung County on the 21st. They had planned to descend today from Dongpu in Xinyi Township, Nantou County. But yesterday afternoon, while walking along the Batongguan Trail toward Guan'gao, the 36-year-old hiker surnamed Duan accidentally fell 5 meters down a valley, suffering multiple abrasions and becoming unable to get out. After receiving the report, the Nantou County Fire Bureau formed an 11-person rescue team from the Yushan Fire Squad, which searched overnight. They arrived at the scene at 3:30 a.m. this morning, helped the injured person get out at 4:50 a.m., and requested a rescue helicopter from the Air Force Aviation Headquarters. The fire bureau stated that the injured person had multiple abrasions on the head and limbs and was conscious. The helicopter completed the hoist rescue around 8 a.m., transporting the injured to the Nantou Zhushan Fire Training Center before being transferred to a hospital for treatment. 1030129
Solo Adventure Across Southeast Asia: A Kinmen Youth Returns Home
For 4 months and 20 days, covering 12,000 kilometers. Weng Xiangji, a young man from Kinmen, rode a second-hand mountain bike through seven countries in Mainland China and Southeast Asia, returning to his long-missed hometown just before Lunar New Year. Happily, he said the biggest takeaway from this journey was learning the value of contentment. Through the police entrance exam and soon to become a protector of the people, Weng Xiangji refused to let his youth go to waste. On September 5th last year, with full blessings from his friends, he embarked on a cycling “mini three links” journey, traveling from Xiamen in Mainland China through Guangdong, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau, Hainan Island, then entering Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore from Guangxi.
Marine fishing, hiking, and recreation weather — all your travel weather needs covered
Originally, the recreation weather service only provided current weather information. Starting this Spring Festival, the Central Weather Bureau has launched a new service, adding weather forecasts for one week at scenic spots and recreational locations, giving the public more comprehensive weather information to choose ideal times and places for leisure activities. The Bureau noted that the new recreation weather service covers six major themes: swimming beaches, marine fishing, cycling, hiking, tourism, and stargazing, totaling 392 recreational locations with future 7-day weather forecast information. The content follows the same format as township weather forecasts, providing every-3-hour forecasts for the next 48 hours, as well as daytime and nighttime forecasts for the following 3 to 7 days. Today, the Bureau also specially invited tennis star Lu Yen-hsun to join in the celebration as the spokesperson for the recreation weather service. The Bureau will set up Lu Yen-hsun cutouts at various popular scenic spots and provide QR codes for the weather forecasts of those locations. The public can simply scan the QR code with their mobile phones to instantly access the weather information for the spot.
Hiker falls into valley; Nantou police and firefighters launch rescue mission
A hiker was injured this afternoon after falling five meters into a valley along the Batongguan Historic Trail toward Guan'gao in Xinyi Township, Nantou County. Police and firefighters in Nantou have organized a rescue team to head up the mountain. Nantou County Fire Bureau reported that two men surnamed Duan and Ko entered the mountains from Xiangyang, Taitung County, on the 21st and were scheduled to descend from Dongpu in Xinyi Township, Nantou County, on the 29th. While walking along the Batongguan Historic Trail toward Guan'gao in the afternoon, Mr. Duan accidentally fell five meters into a valley, sustaining multiple abrasions but remaining conscious. The fire department received the report at around 4:30 p.m. and dispatched an 11-person rescue team from the Yushan Fire Station to enter the mountain for the rescue operation. It is expected to take about 10 hours to reach the incident site. 1030128
Hiking Trail: Woman Found Hanged from a Tree
At around 3:30 p.m. today (27th), members of the public hiking on the mountain trail behind Huaxia Institute of Technology in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, were shocked to find a woman hanged from a tree branch by the side of the trail. She had clearly been dead for some time. Police were alerted and have cordoned off the scene for investigation. They are currently working to identify the deceased and determine the reason for her suicide. (NOTE: Cherish life, call 1995 for help)
Dajianshan Hiking Trail in Yunlin County – Huoshan Mountain Fire
On the slope beside the Dajianshan Trail in Gukeng Township, Yunlin County, thick smoke and flames suddenly emerged at around 2 PM today (the 25th). Due to dry weather and strong winds, the fire initially burned quite fiercely. Fortunately, thanks to the full-scale firefighting efforts of nearly 100 firefighters and volunteer firefighters, the blaze has now been brought under control. The cause of the fire is not ruled out as being due to hikers carelessly discarding cigarette butts. The Yunlin County Fire Bureau stated that the Dajianshan Hiking Trail in Huashan Leisure Agriculture Area, Gukeng Township, is located in a mountainous region at an altitude of 1,000 meters. The ignition point was on the slope next to the hiking trail, and the fire quickly spread to the nearby bamboo forest. Hikers who noticed the fire promptly called the authorities, but by the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had already spread across approximately three hectares. As the fire site is in a remote location where it was not possible to lay water hoses, nearly 100 firefighters and volunteers had to hike up the mountain and use various equipment
Fire on the Gukeng Hiking Trail Burns 3 Hectares
A bamboo fire broke out on the slope of the Dajianshan Hiking Trail in Gukeng, Yunlin today, burning 3 hectares. Firefighters risked their lives using fire beaters and machetes to cut off the fire’s path, while the cause of the blaze is under investigation. The Gukeng branch of Yunlin County Fire Bureau reported that around 2 p.m., a fire started on a slope of the Dajianshan Hiking Trail at an altitude of about 1,000 meters. Hikers called the police, and over 20 firefighters and volunteer firefighters arrived to find the scene engulfed in flames. The Gukeng branch noted that due to the steep terrain, it was impossible to lay water hoses to extinguish the fire. Firefighters took the risk of using fire beaters and machetes to block the upper part of the fire’s path and prevent it from spreading. After more than two hours, the fire was finally put out, with approximately 3 hectares burned. The Douliu Branch of Yunlin County Police Bureau stated that the cause of the fire could include hikers carelessly discarding cigarette butts or farmers burning weeds, and the exact cause is still under investigation. 1030125
Mountain biking: Cyclist rescued after falling into valley
A mountain biking enthusiast was injured while attempting to climb Dawu Mountain in Pingtung and fell into a valley. The Pingtung County Fire Department rescued the victim from the ravine. The individual was conscious but unable to move. The injured person is a 35-year-old man surnamed Zhang, who resides in Linhai District, Kaohsiung City. According to the Pingtung County Fire Bureau, the accident occurred on the evening of January 19th in Wutan Village, Taiwu Township, Pingtung County. While riding a bicycle, the man accidentally fell into a six-meter-deep valley and became trapped. Upon arrival, rescuers stabilized the victim’s head to protect his cervical spine, extracted him from the ravine, and transported him to Donggang Fuying Hospital for treatment. (Image: Provided by Pingtung County Fire Bureau)
Two hikers suffer fractures while climbing snowy mountain; helicopter rescue launched
During the weekend holiday, search and rescue personnel from the Taichung City Fire Bureau were kept busy. In the morning, two separate incidents of hikers suffering fractures occurred—one on Snow Mountain and another at the Sanchiuliu Mountain Hut. In addition to rescue teams responding on-site, the National Airborne Service Corps helicopter was also dispatched for hoisting operations. By the morning, both injured individuals were successfully transported to Chiayi Shuishang Airport and then transferred to hospitals for treatment. Snow Mountain remains frozen in winter but is a popular time for mountaineers attempting to summit. Currently, there are still over a hundred hikers challenging the mountain. On the morning of the 19th, a 33-year-old man surnamed Shen was attempting to climb the main peak of Snow Mountain when he accidentally slipped down a snowy slope due to the icy conditions. This resulted in an open fracture of his left thigh and multiple abrasions on his limbs. He called for help at 8:17 AM, prompting the Taichung City Fire Bureau to dispatch rescue personnel and simultaneously request assistance from the National Airborne Service Corps helicopter. At 10:56 AM, thanks to favorable weather conditions,
Two hikers injured while climbing the main peak of Snow Mountain; Air Force rescue team carries out emergency mission
A 12-member hiking team was ascending the main peak of Snow Mountain when two members were injured — one fell and the other slipped into a valley. The Air Force Rescue Team, alerted by the Armed Forces Search and Rescue Center, dispatched a S-70C (Seagull) helicopter to carry out the rescue. The two injured hikers were hoisted aboard the helicopter and transported to the Air Force’s Chiayi Base before being transferred to a hospital for treatment. Both suffered open fractures but are not in life-threatening condition. The Air Force Rescue Team stated that the two injured hikers are a 33-year-old man surnamed Shen and a 30-year-old man surnamed Lin. They were part of a 12-person hiking group that set out on the 17th with plans to climb the main peak of Snow Mountain. During the ascent, Mr. Shen accidentally fell into a valley about 10 kilometers from the peak, resulting in an open fracture of his left leg. Another hiker, Mr. Lin, slipped and fell, causing a fracture of his right ankle.
Taiwan KOM Challenge Ranks Among World’s Toughest Bike Races — French Magazine
The January issue of Le Cycle, France’s largest cycling magazine (Issue 443), has listed Taiwan’s KOM Challenge (Taiwan KOM Challenge) among the world’s 10 toughest cycling events, alongside legendary routes in the European Alps. This follows last year’s in-depth report by Germany’s Die Zeit (The Times Weekly) on the unique challenges of Taiwan’s KOM Challenge. Now, France’s top cycling publication has also featured the Taiwan KOM race, ranking it among the 10 most thrilling and demanding routes globally — and asking, “Are you up for the challenge?” In Europe, both cycling competitions and cycling tourism are considered the pinnacle experiences that enthusiasts long to take part in. Taiwan’s international mountain KOM Challenge has been recognized by Le Cycle as...
French student twists ankle while hiking, rescued even though speaking only English
At 3:30 p.m. today, the Taipei City Fire Department received an emergency call in English reporting that a French exchange student at National Taiwan University, around 20 years old, had twisted his ankle while hiking with friends near Zhuzihhu Road. As the foreign student did not speak Chinese, the fire department initially had trouble understanding the location. Fortunately, there was a staff member at Shanzihhou who could speak English. After giving the student basic first aid, he was carried down the mountain on a stretcher to receive medical treatment and is reported to be in stable condition.
Hiker’s Crampons Break, Helicopter Mission Aborted
A hiker surnamed Pan got stranded in the mountains after his crampons broke while climbing Snow Mountain. Unable to ascend the main trail, he asked the Taichung City Fire Bureau for an aerial delivery of replacement crampons. The helicopter failed to locate him and had to return. The Taichung City Fire Bureau stated that a 19-year-old man surnamed Wu and a 20-year-old man surnamed Pan had planned to climb Snow Mountain together. After entering the mountain on the 15th, due to heavy snow and icy roads, Pan’s crampons broke, preventing him from reaching the main trail. Wu reported the incident in the afternoon, requesting an aerial delivery of crampons for rescue. After receiving the report, the fire bureau requested helicopter assistance from the National Search and Rescue Command Center. Two Sea Gull helicopters were dispatched in the afternoon to rescue the stranded hiker on Snow Mountain. However, with the mountain covered in thick snow, the rescuers were unable to spot Pan, who was waiting for help. As it grew dark, the helicopters had to return and will assess the weather conditions tomorrow to continue the rescue mission. 1030116
Biking uphill causes groin injury, man suffers 7-week erection
An anonymous 22-year-old man in Ireland was riding a mountain bike and vigorously traversing the mountains. Due to the bumpy ride, his perineum accidentally hit the bike’s top tube (crossbar), resulting in external genital swelling and a persistent erection lasting seven weeks. The Irish Independent reported that the man did not experience severe pain and, due to embarrassment, delayed seeking medical help. It wasn’t until five weeks after the continuous engorgement that he finally visited Tallaght Hospital in Dublin for assistance. Initial medical examination found no external injuries to the man’s private area, and he was diagnosed with high-flow priapism — a urological emergency involving persistent, non-sexually stimulated erections. Failing to seek timely treatment for such a condition could result in lifelong erectile dysfunction.