Classic Itineraries
Area Scan – Suspected Hypothermia: Female Hiker Dies on Erziping Trail
New Taipei: The first wave of the plum rain front continues to hover over Taiwan, with persistent rainfall across the region. Yet, many tourists still hiked the Erziping Trail in Tamsui District on the 6th. A visitor spotted a middle-aged woman lying on her back on an industrial road, showing no signs of life. Police preliminarily determined that the woman was likely a hiker who may have succumbed to hypothermia or suffered a sudden health emergency, but the exact cause of death and her identity remain under investigation.
Shipai District - Female Hiker Fatality Trail
At around 1 p.m. today (the 6th), visitors at the Erziping Trail area in Shipai District, New Taipei City, discovered the body of a woman aged approximately 40 to 50 on the trail. The discoverers immediately reported the incident to police and firefighters. When paramedics arrived, they found that the woman’s leg appeared to be fractured, and there was a plastic bag beside her containing a bottle of sports drink. It is believed she had come to hike and unfortunately met with an accident. Police also arrived at the scene shortly after. Since no identification was found on the deceased, authorities are currently working to confirm her identity.
Fifteen hikers from Beijing go missing in Zhangjiakou
Fifteen Beijing-based hikers (independent travelers) lost contact with the outside world while hiking in the Haituo Mountain scenic area of Chicheng, Zhangjiakou. Starting at 10:30 p.m. yesterday, the Chicheng Fire Brigade in Zhangjiakou has assembled and begun search and rescue operations. Haituo Mountain is located at the border between Yanqing District in Beijing and Chicheng County in Hebei Province, with its main peak standing at an elevation of 2,241 meters. It is understood that these 19 hikers are not professional mountaineers but mostly individual travelers. However, the exact number of those trapped and their specific location are still being further verified. Due to it being nighttime, the current local temperature is around 1 degree Celsius, and with strong winds in the mountainous area and the vast terrain, the search and rescue efforts will face significant challenges.
The river water surged, forcing 5 hikers to stay overnight in the Sheli tribe
Heavy rain started this afternoon in the Majia Mountain area of Pingtung County, causing the river water to surge. As a result, five hikers attempting to climb Qiyen Mountain were unable to proceed and had to stay overnight in the Sheli tribe. All individuals are safe. According to data from the Central Weather Bureau, the rainfall in the Majia Mountain area reached 73.5 mm by 7:30 p.m. today. 1030503
Abandoning a Partner in Abdominal Pain: 5 Hikers Sued for Negligent Homicide
The hikers lit thick smoke to signal their stranded location to the rescue helicopter, while another man surnamed Yu lay nearby, already without breath or pulse. The two were stranded and helpless in the Taoyuan mountain area of Kaohsiung. Rescue personnel attempted a hoist rescue, but it was too late. The accident occurred last January when the man surnamed Yu and several fellow hikers arranged to climb in the Taoyuan mountain area of Kaohsiung. The seven people had planned to summit and complete their “100 Peaks” climbing journey in four nights and five days. Unexpectedly, midway through the climb, the man surnamed Yu suddenly suffered severe abdominal pain and rolled on the ground. Aside from one companion who twice requested help and was willing to stay behind to care for him, the other five insisted on sticking to the schedule and ignored him. On the 30th, the man died in the mountains due to complications from a duodenal ulcer. By the next day, when the rescue helicopter arrived, the man had been dead for some time. These five teammates, who failed to render aid, were charged with negligent homicide.
Location Scan – Man Gets Lost While Hiking, Rescued by Police and Firefighters
Hsinchu County: The county’s fire department received a report on the evening of the 29th of last month from a 41-year-old man surnamed Peng, who said he was lost while hiking in the Giant Tree Area of Xibao in Jianshi Township. After receiving the report, police and firefighters formed a seven-person rescue team and searched for him. He was found early yesterday morning in Area A of the Giant Tree zone and was then guided down the mountain. Peng stated that he had gone hiking with gear the day before and only realized he was lost when descending in the evening. He called 119 for help and waited at the spot. He expressed deep gratitude for the assistance from the police and firefighters and said he would be more careful during future hikes.
Abandoning an Ill Hiker: Five Heartless Companions Sued
Veteran hiker Yu Jinhe and six others formed a team to trek through the southern section of the Central Mountain Range. During the hike, he suffered severe abdominal pain and had to drop out of the group. Aside from a teammate surnamed Jian who stayed with him, the other four men and one woman abandoned him. Yu later died in the Taoyuan mountain area of Kaohsiung City. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office indicted the five indifferent companions for negligent homicide. On January 24, 2012, Yu Jinhe, along with Shen, Cheng, Fang, Lian, Jian, and Chen, formed a team to hike the southern section of the Central Mountain Range. Shen served as the team leader, and the trip was scheduled to end on January 29. Unexpectedly, at around 5 a.m. on the final day, 65-year-old Yu Jinhe suddenly experienced severe abdominal pain and had to drop out due to his condition, with Jian staying by his side. That evening, 43-year-old female teammate Chen suggested turning back to assist Yu Jinhe in descending the mountain, but 63-year-old Fang criticized her, saying she was incapable herself and shouldn’t be giving orders to others. As a result, the five decided to rest for the night on their own. In the early hours of the next day at around 3 a.m., Yu and Jian, having no water to cook with, had Jian go down the mountain in the dark to fetch water from the others.
Ignoring a Climber’s Abdominal Pain – 5 Charged with Negligent Homicide
On January 24, 2012, 65-year-old hiker Yu Jinhe and six others formed a hiking group but Yu died of abdominal pain in the Taoyuan Mountain area. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office determined that the hiking group constituted a “dangerous community” where members rely on and depend on one another. However, apart from guide surnamed Jian who offered some help, the other five knew Yu was unwell and falling behind, yet did not actively contact or assist him. Instead, they went down the mountain to eat and then took a bus back to Taipei. They have been charged with negligent homicide.
Hiker's Death Blamed on Team Negligence; 5 Mountaineers Sued
A group of seven hikers, led by a man surnamed Shen, embarked on a mountain climbing trip. One teammate, surnamed Yu, experienced abdominal pain but was only cared for by another teammate, surnamed Jian. Yu later became critically ill and died. The Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office concluded its investigation and indicted five people, including Shen, on charges of negligent homicide. The indictment from the Kaohsiung District Prosecutors Office stated that Shen served as the leader of the mountaineering team. In January 2012, he led his teammates from Nanheng Meishan in Kaohsiung City into the mountains to engage in climbing activities in the "Nan Yi Duan" area. When the team arrived at the Xishannan Mountain entrance, teammate Yu fell behind due to abdominal pain and exhaustion. He rested at the campsite accompanied only by Jian. However, Shen and the other five hikers did not wait for them and instead set up camp about an hour’s hike away at a container hut to eat and rest. The indictment said that Jian and Yu still had not arrived at the container hut to rejoin the group. Teammate Chen, aware that Yu was unwell, suggested turning back to help him descend. However, this was harshly criticized by teammate Fang. Jian once descended in the dark
Hiker Lost in the Mountains Rescued by Fire Department and Guided Down
A man surnamed Peng went hiking alone in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, and got lost in the God Tree Cluster of Zone A at Zhentishih. Fire department search and rescue personnel located Peng and assisted him in descending the mountain. New Hsinchu County Government Fire Bureau stated today that at 7 p.m. last night, they received a report from the man surnamed Peng, who said he was lost in the God Tree Cluster of Zone A at Zhentishih. He mentioned that there were trees nearby that had been struck by lightning, but he was conscious and requested assistance from fire department personnel. Fire department personnel formed a search and rescue team consisting of three vehicles and seven people to search Zhentishih. Personnel from the Second Brigade of the Fire Bureau and the Jianshi squad leader arrived at the trailhead at 11 p.m. last night and set up an advance command post. The search and rescue team began their search and found the man surnamed Peng at 12:11 a.m. He was unharmed, and they assisted him in descending the mountain at 2 a.m. The Fire Bureau advised the public not to enter mountainous areas alone. Even if familiar with the local terrain, hikers should be accompanied by a guide and
Rockfalls reported on the western section of the Nenggao Traverse; temporarily closed
Hikers should take note: the well-known western section of the Nenggao Traverse national trail, popular among domestic mountaineers, has recently been closed due to unstable mountain weather and falling rocks in areas affected by past landslides. The situation is particularly severe around the 0.3K mark at the Tunyuan Trailhead. To ensure safety, the Nantou Forest District Office has announced the temporary closure of this trail. The office stated that mountain weather has been highly unstable recently, with frequent showers. The trail is currently closed and under continuous monitoring. Hikers are reminded to check mountain weather conditions and the official website announcements before heading out. While in the mountains, do not linger near landslide-prone areas—pass through them as quickly as possible to ensure your safety. For information regarding the western section of the Nenggao Traverse national trail and Tianchi Mountain Hut, please refer to the Tianchi Mountain Hut website. Hikers are advised to stay updated.
Rail Europe adds Swiss mountain railway journeys
Swiss mountain railways have always been a source of fascination, yet these special trips are often not included in Rail Europe’s pass packages. In response to growing demand from travelers, Rail Europe announced that it is now selling tickets for the Gornergrat Railways, making it easier for visitors to explore Switzerland’s iconic rail routes. To take in the breathtaking beauty of the Alps, the Gornergrat is a must-visit destination. The observation platform at Gornergrat is open year-round and bathed in sunshine, making it a top-tier tourist spot. Surrounded by 29 mountains over 4,000 meters in elevation, including Switzerland’s highest peak and the Alps’ second-longest glacier, the site offers sweeping, majestic mountain views. Travelers riding the Matterhorn Railway
Man trapped in valley after hiking survey, rescued by police in time
A man surnamed Fu drove to the Dongmao Mountain Forest Road in Heping District, Taichung City to survey the terrain but accidentally fell into a valley. The Taichung Police received the report and went to rescue him, successfully saving Fu, who was trapped inside his vehicle, yesterday.
Nepal establishes fund to support families of mountaineering victims
The Nepalese government has set up a fund to provide assistance to the families of those who died in mountaineering accidents. Nepal recently experienced a mountain disaster, where a group of Nepalese guides working on Mount Everest in the Himalayas were caught in an avalanche, resulting in at least 13 fatalities. In response, the Nepalese government has established a "Mountaineers' Relief Fund" to support the families of the deceased climbers. Nepal opened Mount Everest to foreign climbers in 1953 and now receives around 4,000 international mountaineers annually, earning substantial foreign exchange revenue. However, Mount Everest's rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions frequently lead to landslides or avalanches. Since 1953, over 400 climbers and Nepalese guides have lost their lives in mountaineering accidents.
Nepalese climbing guides threaten to stop leading mountaineers
Sherpa guides in Nepal, citing the government's lack of response to the avalanche tragedy, may take action to halt guiding activities. The incident has drawn attention from the local tourism industry. The Nepalese government stated it would consider increasing insurance payouts for Everest guides and distributing 40,000 rupees in aid to the families of the victims. The avalanche killed at least 13 people. Despite the dangers, jobs as Everest guides remain highly sought after. Skilled guides capable of navigating high-altitude terrain can earn up to $6,000 during the three-month climbing season—ten times the average annual salary in Nepal.
The deadliest Everest disaster: Tragic Sherpas and their deadly gamble with the mountain
A devastating avalanche struck Mount Everest last week, marking the deadliest disaster in the mountain’s history. Over twenty Sherpas were caught in the avalanche, with thirteen confirmed dead and three still missing — presumed lost given the harsh weather and treacherous terrain, leading search efforts to be called off. The avalanche occurred early Friday morning at an altitude of approximately 5,800 meters on the Khumbu Glacier. The area, known for its perilous icefalls where massive chunks of ice and seracs frequently break off, is dubbed the "Popcorn Field." (Reported by Xia Mingzhu)
Everest Avalanche: 13 Bodies Found
An avalanche hit Mount Everest the day before yesterday, and 13 Sherpa bodies have been recovered, with three still missing. This is the deadliest disaster in Everest's history. Rescue operations are ongoing, but due to unstable snow conditions, the rescue team must first conduct safety tests before setting up ropes and ladders — a laborious and time-consuming process. The accident occurred in an area of the Khumbu Icefall known as the "Popcorn Field," where massive ice blocks and seracs often fall, making it an especially dangerous section. That day, a total of 20 Sherpas were caught in the avalanche, and only four were rescued. Every May is the best time to climb Everest. Hundreds of climbers and guides have already gathered at the base camp in advance. The Sherpas must go ahead to break the trail, set up ropes and ladders, and establish the base camp. Since 1953, when New Zealand mountaineer (Sir Edmund Hillary) became the first person to conquer Everest...
Avalanche on Mount Everest: 13 Sherpa bodies found
An avalanche hit Mount Everest the day before yesterday, and 13 Sherpa bodies have been found, while three others remain missing. This is the deadliest mountaineering disaster in Everest's history. Rescue operations are ongoing, but due to unstable snow conditions, rescue teams must first conduct safety tests before setting up ropes and ladders — a laborious and time-consuming process. The accident occurred in an area of the Khumbu Icefall known as the "Popcorn Field," where massive ice blocks and seracs often fall, making it an especially dangerous section. On the day of the incident, a total of 20 Sherpas were caught in the avalanche, and only four were rescued. Every May is the best time to climb Everest. Hundreds of climbers and guides have already gathered at the base camp in advance, but the Sherpas must go ahead first to break trail, set up ropes and ladders, and establish the base camp. Since 1953, when New Zealand mountaineer (Sir Edmund Hillary) became the first person to conquer Everest...
"Trekking China" author Lake and "walking through" the current state of China
William introduces his climbing route Oh, climbing Everest isn't my dream, it's just an enjoyment. They climb up, but that's not my thing. On May 18, when we walked into the central command tent of the China Amateur Mountaineering Team's base camp, the 61-year-old American William Sarmiento (William Sarmi ...
Vasque and OR become the exclusive gear sponsors of the first Wanda International Trail Running Challenge
Introduction: The first Wanda Changbai Mountain International Trail Running Challenge will grandly kick off on June 29, 2013, at the Wanda Changbai Mountain International Resort. The renowned American trail running shoe brand VASQUE (pronounced “Vice”) and outdoor apparel brand OUTDOOR RESEARCH (OR), both represented in China by Shenzhen Himalaya, have provided professional...