Classic Itineraries
Rescuing a hiker cost 400,000 NT dollars — only a 3,000 NT dollar fine
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, a man surnamed Tsai from Taoyuan County ventured into the mountains alone from Dongpu in Nantou County, attempting to hike the Batongguan Historic Trail. He got stranded, and at around 8 a.m. on the 6th, was airlifted down by helicopter. Tsai refused medical treatment and, after giving a statement to the Sixth Division, Nanan Team of the Seventh Brigade of the National Police Agency, he shouldered his backpack and took a train home. The Taroko National Park Administration stated that Tsai had violated the National Park Act, and they issued him a 3,000 NT dollar fine. The director of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, Yan Xin-zhang, said the rescue mission for Tsai incurred enormous social costs. Just one hour of helicopter operation cost approximately 100,000 NT dollars, with more than 35 rescue personnel involved. The total expense amounted to about 300,000 to 400,000 NT dollars, yet the fine was only 3,000 NT dollars — a starkly disproportionate figure compared to the resources expended. The Taroko National Park Administration stated...
Ascend Cuifeng Lake for Breathtaking Views 1 Hiker Injured in Fall
The picturesque Cuifeng Lake in Yilan County, situated at an altitude of 1,850 meters, was the site of a hiking accident this morning. A group of 10 hikers was trekking along a mountain trail near the lake heading toward Tongshan around 9 a.m. when one of them slipped and suffered a deep laceration on their right calf, leaving them unable to walk. The Yilan County Fire Bureau was alerted and dispatched rescue personnel and an ambulance to the scene. Nestled within the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, Cuifeng Lake is the largest alpine lake in Taiwan, boasting dreamlike scenery of shimmering waters and majestic peaks. The Forestry Bureau’s Luodong Forest District Office has developed the “Cuifeng Lake Rim Trail” and “Wangyang Mountain Trail” along the lakeshore and surrounding ridge lines, attracting numerous visitors and hiking enthusiasts. (Photography: Huang Lihua)
Area Scan – Rescue Difficulties: Hiker Awaits Help Safely
Hualien: A 51-year-old man surnamed Tsai from Taoyuan County went hiking alone on the last day of January (Lunar New Year’s Day). On the evening of February 4, he got lost in the mountainous area of Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County, and used his mobile phone to call for help. The Fire Department and the Forestry Bureau formed a 14-person rescue team. On the morning of February 5, due to weather conditions preventing helicopter hoisting, they switched to a ground approach to enter the mountains for the rescue. It is expected to take about four days to reach the rescue area. Currently, the man has sufficient food supplies and no health issues, and his safety is not in immediate danger.
Hiker Lost in Yuli Rescued by Helicopter and Brought Down Safely Today
A man surnamed Tsai went missing on February 4th at the Masabu Police Outpost in Zhuoxi Township, Hualien County, and was successfully rescued by helicopter hoist around 8:20 AM today (the 6th). The air rescue helicopter transported him to Yongchang Branch of Yuli Elementary School. As he was not seriously injured and refused medical treatment, the case is being followed up by the local police station. The Hualien County Fire Bureau stated that the man surnamed Tsai entered the mountains from Dongpu, Nantou County, planning to hike the Batongguan Historic Trail over eight days, but got lost above the Masabu Police Outpost. He called for help himself and fortunately was rescued safely.
The Asian Bicycle Exhibition supports the 13th Giant Cup Cycling Race
On the second day of the 2013 Shenzhen Midi Music Festival, the continuous rainy weather in the south did not affect Midi, and Shenzhen enjoyed a rare sunny day. Over 30,000 spectators came to the festival site in the rare good weather of the weekend, setting a new record for attendance at a music festival in southern China. Fan 01 - Photo by Zhong Junfeng Ming Stage - Photo ...
Nan Zhuang Jiali Mountain: 1 Hiker Goes Missing
Around 5:30 p.m. on the 9th, the Miaoli County Fire Bureau received a report that a group of 78 hikers from the Cuigu Hiking Club were climbing Jiali Mountain in Nanzhuang Township when a 68-year-old male hiker went missing at Marker No. 9. At around 8:50 p.m., under the command of Tianxiao 301, 10 firefighters were dispatched in two teams, starting their search from both the trailhead and Erping.
Location Scan – 72-Day Search Rescues Body of Hiker Huang Qihan
Taichung: The body of discharged serviceman Huang Qihan, who went missing while climbing Dajianshan Mountain, was found at 2:27 p.m. on the 3rd at the confluence of the tributaries of Dajianshan and Jiannanshan. Yesterday, Huang Qihan’s father, Huang Kuanjun, also stated that he will gather hikers on Facebook to establish an association aimed at urging the government to improve mountain infrastructure and accelerate search and rescue operations for mountain accidents.
Nepal mandates Everest climbers to carry down 8 kg of trash
The Nepalese government announced on the 3rd that, in light of the severe waste problem currently facing Mount Everest (also known as Qomolangma or Sagarmatha), it will require climbers to carry down 8 kg of trash starting this spring. The Nepalese government is considering applying this rule to other high peaks in the Himalayas as well. Local mountaineering professionals said that while there have been regulations requiring trash to be brought down in the past, enforcement has been lax and no specific weight was mandated—so they welcome the new regulation. Since the first climber reached the summit of Everest 61 years ago, the rise in commercial tourism has led to a dramatic increase in the number of climbers. It is reported that there are around 50 tons of discarded waste along the climbing routes, including oxygen tanks and cooking gas canisters, raising growing concerns about ecosystem impacts and water pollution. The trash brought down will be sorted at base camp, with food waste handled locally, while plastics and metals will be
New Mountaineering Rules Implemented on Mount Everest
The climbing season on Mount Everest has begun, and Nepal has introduced new management measures. Starting this week, climbers are required to bring their personal trash down the mountain. Additionally, stricter safety controls will be enforced at the base camp. Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism stated that, effective immediately, climbers on Mount Everest must carry at least eight kilograms of garbage down the mountain to be weighed by management personnel at the base. Nepal’s tourism authorities have also set up a liaison office at the Everest base camp, which will be staffed on rotation from early March to the end of May. In addition to assisting climbers in resolving issues during their expeditions, the office will also be tasked with ensuring environmental protection. (Image sourced from the internet)
Led by Cycling King Feng Junkai, Gusto Cycling Team is Established
The all-local Taiwanese cycling team, Gusto Cycling Team, is led by Taiwan’s King of the Mountains, Feng Junkai. Today, the team officially announced its establishment at Taipei 101. Facing the upcoming Tour de Taiwan, Feng Junkai, who has won the King of the Mountains title for two consecutive years, expressed full confidence, stating that this year he aims not only for personal success but also for the team to make significant progress. Gusto Cycling Team was founded by Wei Hongfan, the second son of Wei Ing-chou, chairman of Master Kong Holdings. It was officially registered with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in January this year. With an investment of 60 million New Taiwan Dollars, the team has hired three Italian coaches and formed an alliance with an Italian professional cycling team, hoping to help Taiwanese riders with dreams break into the global stage.
Rescue workers recover the body of a missing female hiker believed to have fallen while climbing Qilai Mountain
A three-person hiking team from Taipei City was climbing Qilai Main Peak on the 27th of last month when one of the members, a 60-year-old woman surnamed Peng, is believed to have fallen off a cliff. Rescue personnel continued searching the area where she went missing and at 10:38 a.m. discovered a body wearing a red top and gray pants 300 meters below the cliff. Due to thick cloud cover in the mountainous region, helicopters were unable to perform hoisting operations. Rescue workers are currently trying to descend to retrieve the body.
Female hiker dies in fall from Qilai Mountain; body recovered
A woman surnamed Peng from Taipei City and her friends were hiking Qilai Main Peak when she accidentally fell off a cliff. After days of search efforts by firefighters, her body was found today and is being prepared for transport down the mountain. On the 27th of last month, the female hiker fell off a cliff on Qilai Mountain within Taroko National Park. A rescue team of over 20 members, formed by the Hualien County Fire Bureau and other agencies, ascended the mountain to conduct the search. Although they discovered items such as a backpack and clothing, the search for the hiker could not proceed below the cliff face due to deep snow accumulation and poor mountain weather conditions. Chen Qiuming, captain of the Hualien branch of the Fire Bureau who participated in the rescue mission, said that the trail to Qilai Main Peak was covered in snow, making progress difficult, and the cliff terrain was extremely steep. At night, temperatures dropped to just 0°C, and during the day only reached around 4°C. Success Fort experienced heavy rainfall, with occasional hail, and visibility was reduced to about 10 meters. Team members attempted to advance from Success Fort toward the Qilai Mountain Hut.
Rescue Team Facing Starvation in Mountain Search Saved by Instant Rice
A 30-member rescue team comprising personnel from the Hualien County Fire Bureau and other agencies recently entered the Qilai Mountains to search for a hiker who had fallen off a cliff. Due to harsh mountain weather, they faced a food shortage crisis. Today, the Tzu Chi Foundation provided 300 portions of instant rice (Xiangji Fan), which were handed over to the second rescue team to assist in the operation. A woman surnamed Peng from Taipei unfortunately fell into a valley while climbing Qilai Main Peak. Rescue personnel have been searching the mountains since February 27, but due to severe alpine conditions, they encountered a food supply crisis. The Hualien County Fire Bureau stated that the weather cleared this morning, and rescuers discovered the body of the female hiker Ms. Peng at the bottom of a valley approximately 300 meters deep. Tragically, she did not survive. The terrain at the site is not suitable for helicopter hoisting, so her body still needs to be carried down the steep valley manually, which also extends the time the rescue team must remain in the mountains. Fire Bureau Secretary Wu Tai-? said that around 1 p.m. on February 27, after receiving a report from the public about a hiker falling into the valley, they immediately formed a rescue team of about 30 members, carrying 100 loaves of bread. However, due to several days of low temperatures in the mountains, the bread became as hard as if it had been frozen in a refrigerator, making it difficult to eat, which led to the rescue team facing their own food shortage.
Hiker Missing on Dajian Mountain Found Dead
Huang Qihan went missing while climbing Dajian Mountain last December, and after 72 days, his body has finally been found. It will be transported down the mountain tomorrow. The Taichung City Fire Bureau received the rescue mission on December 22 last year, deploying 28 rescue teams totaling 462 personnel and 20 helicopter sorties to assist in the search. The search area covered the trailhead of Dajian Mountain up to the summit. A five-member rescue team from the Central Taiwan Search and Rescue Committee of the Republic of China Mountain Rescue Association discovered the body this afternoon about 100 meters downstream from the confluence of a tributary of Dajian Mountain and Jian Nanjian Mountain. After 72 days of searching, the outcome was still the recovery of a cold body, which the rescuers found deeply regrettable. The fire bureau plans to dispatch a 10-person rescue team tomorrow to the discovery site to help transport the body down the mountain. 1030303
World Champion Mountain Biker Visits Taiwan for Tour
American cyclist Mike Steidley held an Asian tour freestyle mountain bike performance on the first-floor plaza of Kaohsiung E-Da Yuanbai on the afternoon of the 2nd, wowing the crowd with his spectacular stunts. Mike Steidley, a 10-time U.S. world champion in freestyle mountain biking, was invited to Asia this year to hype up the Taipei World Trade Center Bike Show. On Sunday, he performed in Kaohsiung E-Da Yuanbai, not only promoting environmental protection, carbon reduction, and love for nature, but also boosting the popularity of cycling. The event featured stunt performances, interactive games, and a quiz with prizes. Attendees who picked up posters could also get autographs and take photos with the star, attracting many fans. To coincide with the Asian tour, the DC brand section on the 9th floor of Kaohsiung E-Da Yuanbai offered special discounts—with all items at 15% off, and customers spending over NT$2,000 receiving a free DC sports towel, plus a scratch card for those spending over NT$3,000.
Hikers Injured During Holiday Trip; Man Sustains Minor Injuries but Is Unharmed
The Fuxing Fire Brigade was alerted on the evening of 228 Holiday that hikers had fallen into a valley in Beichapianshan. Responders quickly rushed to the dark mountainous area to conduct a thorough search and found Mr. Chen, who had slipped down a 5-meter-deep valley due to slippery conditions caused by rain. Fortunately, he only suffered a 1-centimeter laceration above his left eyebrow. After resting and recovering, he was able to return home on his own. The fire department stated that at 6:31 p.m. the previous day, they received a call from the emergency operations center reporting that three hikers — one man and two women — were trapped. They immediately dispatched Squad Leader Cao Jinming, officers Li Kunlin and Wang Jianwen, along with Yang Kangxiong, chief of Xinei Police Station under Daxi Precinct, and officer Jian Zhengyi to carry out the rescue. Due to the vast mountain area and the darkness, rescuers maintained phone contact with the hikers. While searching along the trail at the first hiking entrance, they faintly heard cries for help. Following the sound, they located the two women and found that Mr. Chen had fallen into the valley due to the slippery conditions. They swiftly set up ropes to descend and rescue him.
High-altitude pulmonary edema on the mountain — porter and police officer carry patient down
A high school student surnamed Tseng from Yunlin suffered from acute high-altitude pulmonary edema while climbing Lake Jiaming. He was carried down the mountain by a porter, then bound to the body of the chief of Xiangyang Police Station, who used a motorcycle to meet an ambulance and transport him to hospital. During the 228 consecutive holiday, over 500 hikers flocked to Lake Jiaming. As Shelter 2 on the Lake Jiaming Trail has only 140 beds, most hikers had to set up tents on rugged terrain, affecting sleep and rest quality and leading to poor physical condition. Thirty-five teachers and students from a children’s home in Yunlin climbed Lake Jiaming on 228 and arrived at the shelter the following evening. Police said that in the early hours of today, the Tseng student developed symptoms such as coughing and vomiting but did not inform his teacher. Around 6 a.m., while descending from the shelter, he experienced angina pectoris and was unable to walk after 20 minutes, prompting the trip leader to seek help.
Boy Suffers from High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema While Hiking; Police Carry Him Down the Mountain to Save His Life
Teachers and students from Yunlin Xinyi Children’s Home climbed Lake Ciming the day before yesterday. Early this morning, a 15-year-old boy surnamed Zeng began experiencing symptoms such as coughing and vomiting. When the group was preparing to descend the mountain this morning, Zeng’s condition worsened—he showed signs of angina, difficulty walking, and more. The group leader and guides then carried him down manually, assisted by Zhang Nengwei, chief of Xiangyang Police Station, and police officer Du Zhenchang, who helped carry the 81-kilogram patient down the mountain to receive medical treatment. The police stated that Zeng exhibited symptoms of acute high-altitude pulmonary edema during the descent, including confusion, blackened complexion, coughing up blood, and protruding eyeballs. Fortunately, after being transferred by ambulance, he was rushed to Guanshan Tzu Chi Hospital at the foot of the mountain for emergency treatment. Zeng has gradually regained consciousness and is currently under observation in the hospital.
Female hiker surnamed Peng falls off cliff in Qilai Mountain; rescue team finds her backpack
The woman surnamed Peng, who fell into a valley on Jiu’e Mountain at the main peak of Qilai Mountain in Hualien County on February 27, was located by a search and rescue team organized by the Hualien County Fire Bureau. The team discovered her hiking backpack and related dropped items at the site of the accident. Due to heavy snow accumulation in the mountainous area, the woman’s whereabouts have not yet been found. The Hualien County Fire Bureau stated that the search and rescue operation has been made more difficult due to over 50 centimeters of heavy snow in the mountains. However, locating the woman’s equipment has helped in the ongoing search for her. The woman surnamed Peng had planned to climb Qilai Mountain with two friends—a man and a woman from Taipei. On February 27, the Hualien County Fire Bureau received a report forwarded from the Nantou County Fire Bureau. They had entered the mountain through the Songxue Building trailhead at Hehuanshan and had originally planned to descend via the Yuewangting trailhead on the Central Cross-Island Highway on March 3. The 44-year-old woman surnamed Peng fell into a valley on Jiu’e Mountain.
Female hiker feared to have fallen into valley; rescuers find backpack
A 60-year-old female hiker surnamed Peng went missing last month on the 27th after reportedly falling off a cliff near the main peak of Qilai Mountain. After days of search efforts, rescuers have found scattered items such as a backpack and scarf down a 300-meter slope from the last known location, but Peng has yet to be found. Authorities believe she may have rolled down the slope and gone missing. To speed up the search, the Hualien County Fire Bureau is coordinating with the military to deploy additional personnel. The on-site commander, Li Longsheng, head of the First Brigade of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, noted that visibility in the mountainous area has been poor over the past two days due to thick cloud cover obscuring the Qilai peaks, preventing helicopters from joining the rescue operation. As a result, search efforts have had to rely solely on foot patrols. However, temperatures in the Qilai Mountain area have dropped below zero, with snow and ice covering the paths, making them extremely slippery. Light rain has also fallen intermittently. Rescuers must use ice axes to secure themselves in rock crevices as they move forward slowly, which places a significant strain on their physical endurance. The route also involves traversing several sections of loose scree slopes, presenting constant danger.