Classic Itineraries
Big-bellied man loses 33.3 kg to become a handsome dad — all thanks to these two things
Cathay Financial Holdings held a weight-loss competition. A three-person team from Cathay United Bank called “Drank and Full” lost 49 kg in four months by drinking water to feel full. The individual male champion, Su Cheng-you, successfully shed 33.3 kg through small, frequent meals and hiking, transforming into a handsome dad. Cathay Financial General Manager Li Chang-keng said that every year, the proportion of employees flagged for high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol during health checkups is extremely high, prompting the company to consider using bonuses to encourage weight loss. Last year’s first-ever “Big Bellies and Little Bellies” weight-loss competition resulted in a total loss of 12,000 kg. This year, the effort went further — 9,000 participants shed a combined 15,000 kg. The initiative also incorporated a charitable component, donating NT$100 to the Hongdao Senior Citizens’ Welfare Foundation for every kilogram lost. Li Chang-keng had pledged to lose 10 kg this year, but an ankle injury from a slip interrupted his exercise plan.
Hikers reportedly scratched by bear while climbing Dongmao Mountain; Forestry Bureau says no report received
A group of hikers were climbing Dongmao Mountain, one of the "Seven Peaks of Guguan," on the 10th, when it was reported that one hiker may have been scratched by a cub. The Dongshi Forest District Office of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Bureau stated that no such report had been received. According to expert analysis, there is currently insufficient evidence to confirm the marks as those of a bear, and whether it was indeed a cub that caused the scratches remains under discussion and clarification. There really are bears！At 1:40 p.m. on December 10, 2016, at Pillar 17, there were two small bears with red collars that scratched the person in front of me. A female hiker who was climbing Dongmao Mountain posted on Facebook, stating that the male hiker walking in front of her was scratched by two small bears. The Dongshi Forest District Office said it had not received any reports of people being scratched by bears and only learned of the incident through the internet. Experts analyzing the photos concluded that, based on normal black bear behavior, it is difficult to explain why such young cubs would actively scratch a person. Moreover, the scratches were located just below the armpits on the back of the body, which is inconsistent with how animals typically attack from the front. Additionally, the Taiwan black bears that have been captured, tagged, and released in the Daxue Mountain area do not have red collars, leaving insufficient evidence to confirm that the scratches on the hiker were caused by a black bear.
The Hilltop brand excels in crafting high-performance gear for hiking and outdoor adventures, as created by Fang Shuowei.
The outdoor leisure brand Hilltop, with its campaign "My 30 Great Adventures," encourages people to step outdoors and explore themselves. Recently, it invited actors Wen Yonghao and Cheng Yijiao to join a two-day, one-night Central Cross-Island Highway hiking trip. They wore Hilltop apparel and personally experienced the advantages of the brand’s functional gear during November’s significant day-night temperature variations.
Body of missing mountaineer found; hoisting aborted due to poor weather
A man surnamed Zhu went missing while climbing Liushun Mountain’s Seven-Colored Lake on the border of Nantou and Hualien. His teammates sought help from the fire department, and after three days of searching, his body was found today. It was initially planned to hoist the body via helicopter, but the operation failed due to thick cloud cover.
Location Scan – Hiker from Liushun Mountain Goes Missing, Emergency Search Underway
Hualien ┱ On November 29, the Hualien County Fire Bureau received a report from the public that one of the five hikers in a group heading to Qicai Lake on Liushun Mountain had gone missing. The hiker, surnamed Zhu, disappeared at around 5 p.m. on November 27 while returning from Qicai Lake to Gaodeng. Despite multiple search attempts by fellow hikers, the person was not found, prompting an immediate call for help to the fire bureau. Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing.
Avalanche on Japan's Tateyama Mountain Range Injures Three University Hikers
An avalanche occurred at 8:25 a.m. local time today (29th) on the Tateyama Mountain Range in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. Officials from the Tateyama Town Fire Department reported that three students from Tokyo Institute of Technology were caught in the incident while hiking, leaving one injured and unconscious. According to a report by the Asahi Shimbun, the avalanche took place at an altitude of 2,520 meters on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route this morning. Six students from Tokyo Institute of Technology were hiking in the vicinity at the time, with three being hit by snow blocks. One student is currently in a coma, another is suffering from hypothermia, while the third fortunately escaped unharmed. The Tateyama Mountain Range in the Hida Mountains of Toyama Prefecture is home to Japan’s northernmost peaks over 3,000 meters and is known as the “Japanese Alps.” In summer, its lush green mountains stretch out like a painting; in winter, its frigid snowy landscapes are breathtakingly majestic, making it a popular destination for Taiwanese tour groups.
Volunteer firefighters go hiking to strengthen camaraderie
The Seventh Disaster Relief and Rescue Brigade of New Taipei City Government Fire Department held a mountain hiking and prayer activity for firefighters, volunteer firefighters, their families, and dependents in the second half of 2016 (105 in Taiwan’s calendar) at Hōnglúdì in Zhonghe. Through hiking, the event aimed to boost morale, foster unity among volunteer firefighters, and improve physical fitness. Many volunteer firefighters came with their entire families to enjoy the hike, happily sharing that the activity allowed them to connect and gain a lot from the experience.
Lost on a Hike? Don’t Panic — Taiwan Power Transmission Towers Can Help You Find Your Way
If hikers get lost in the mountains without a navigation device or can't read the stars to orient themselves, there's no need to panic. Simply locate a Taipower high-voltage transmission tower to roughly determine direction, or even use the serial numbers on utility poles or roadside transformers to identify your approximate location. Cases of hikers losing their way in the mountains are not uncommon. When people go hiking and forget to bring a compass or their phone runs out of battery, making GPS unavailable — and if they also can't navigate by the stars — they can actually find a way out by quickly locating the nearest high-voltage tower, utility pole, or roadside power box. Wang Tianfu, head of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology Division at Taipower’s Transmission and Distribution Engineering Department, said that most avid mountain climbers know that there are only two power transmission lines that cross the Central Mountain Range in Taiwan. He pointed out that one is the old 69kV East-West Transmission Line (Wanda-Tongmen Line), completed between 1951 and 1953, which is one of the most remarkable transmission lines in Taiwan’s power history; the other is the new 345kV East-West Transmission Line (Daguan-Mingtan-Fenglin Line), completed in 1998.
The 2016 Bridge King Cup Dakeng Hiking Event will be held on December 11.
Organized by the Beitun District and North District Sports Associations of Taichung City, and sponsored by Bridge King Garden Hotel, the 2016 Bridge King Cup Dakeng Hiking Event will take place on Sunday, December 11. Registration is open until November 30 and is only available online. Please visit the iBodyGo Just Love Sports platform and then log in to the event’s online registration system to sign up.
Taipei City Fire Department’s New Recruits Put to the Test – Hiking in 20kg Gear
(CNA reporter Chu Che-wei, Taipei, Dec. 24) The Taipei City Fire Department today held a physical fitness and disaster response skills assessment for new recruits at Zhinan Temple in Wenshan District, Taipei. The 62 newcomers had to wear over 20 kilograms of gear while climbing a trail with 1,397 stone steps. The process also included challenges such as setting up ladders between flights and transporting personnel. The Taipei City Fire Department welcomed 62 new recruits this year. After five weeks of rigorous training, they are set to join disaster relief efforts. To evaluate their training outcomes, the department chose the scenic Zhinan Temple hiking trail this morning to conduct a basic disaster response skills and physical fitness assessment. It wasn’t as simple as it seemed for the rookie firefighters to complete the course. They had to wear more than 20 kilograms of heavy gear and pass through tests including using extension ladders, transporting demolition equipment, breaking doors with disc cutters, operating generators, setting up lighting stations, and deploying long-distance water hoses.
Hiking on Xiaoyoukeng Trail Hiker Falls Ill and Is Hospitalized
Taipei City Fire Department received a report at 11:45 a.m. today that a man around 55 years old was found unconscious, suspected to be suffering from discomfort after hiking, at the 0.8 km mark of the Xiaoyoukeng Hiking Trail in the direction of Qixing Mountain. A nurse provided online guidance for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), and a rescue team has been dispatched. 1051122
Daxin to Expand Production Next Year, Doubling Capacity
Daxin Industrial (1315), a major domestic raincoat manufacturer, will expand production at its Dafu plant in mainland China next year. Lin Hongbin, general manager of Dafu Plastic Industry, said yesterday (21st) that the company will invest in adding two new sewing lines and hire 40 more employees, bringing the total workforce to nearly 200. With the added production lines, the sewing capacity at the Dafu plant is expected to double next year, which will support growth in the plant’s raincoat and apparel operations. Additionally, Daxin revealed that its Daye plant, located in the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has fully utilized its 2,400 pyeong (approx. 8,000 sqm) of land and currently has no extra space for expansion. As a result, the company is looking for a new site to build Daye Plant 2. In the future, besides producing raincoats and apparel, the new plant also plans to introduce new products. Daxin stated that it will search for land within a 50-kilometer radius of the existing Daye plant to facilitate the setup of the new facility.
All three regions of Taipei, Central, and Southern Taiwan unite to embrace Leave No Trace hiking
To promote the Leave No Trace concept, encourage proper hiking practices among the public, and preserve the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains and forests, the “Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” event has been held for nine consecutive years. With over 60 events across Taiwan, the initiative kicked off simultaneously in New Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung on the 20th, attracting nearly 10,000 participants. This year’s “Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” carefully selected three Taiwanese Little Hundred Mountains for climbing. The event began with professional coaches leading warm-up exercises using stress-relief sticks developed by Odlo, followed by a Leave No Trace forest guardianship pledge. Odlo Executive Vice President Chang Kuo-chin, along with representatives from the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, the Republic
Director of "Black Bear Forest" Trains for Mountain Climbs, Visits Dabang 30 Times
From the very beginning, I wanted to make a story about the mountains that involved people. "Black Bear Forest" is not just the story of Huang Meixiu, director of the Wildlife Conservation Research Institute at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, and Bunun patrol ranger Lin Yuanyuan’s years of research and search for Taiwan black bears—it is also the “bear-seeking journey” of 53-year-old documentary filmmaker Li Xiangxiu herself.
Leave No Trace: Hiking that Cares for the Land and Its Wildlife
The 9th Leave No Trace Hiking Fun event was held today in the Nanshijiao Mountain area of Zhonghe District, New Taipei City. With the fine weather, participants explored the outdoors while promoting the concept of mountain conservation, minimizing the impact of recreational activities on nature. Today’s event was guided by the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, and co-organized by the Republic of China Hiking and Mountaineering Association. The hike took place in Hulongdi, Zhonghe, New Taipei, where the Rainbow Valley Band performed moving songs to give voice to the mountains. Interpreters from the Forestry Bureau provided on-site ecological explanations, contributing to environmental education. Organizers stated that the “Odyssey Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” event, which promotes the Leave No Trace philosophy, has been held annually since 2008. It aims to show care for and give back to society, and invites everyone to join in, treat the environment kindly, and support the Leave No Trace movement. The Leave No Trace movement
Leave No Trace Hiking Fun: A Call to Protect Taiwan’s Ecology
Outdoor sports brand OutDoor Taiwan today simultaneously held the “Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” event in New Taipei City, Taichung City, and Kaohsiung City. OutDoor Taiwan Executive Vice President Chang Kuo-chin stated that the event aims to promote the concept of preserving mountain ecology, with the hope of safeguarding Taiwan’s environment for good. OutDoor Taiwan said that since 2008, it has advocated for the Leave No Trace principles and eco-friendly hiking practices, regularly organizing the “Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” events to promote proper mountain engagement and educate the public on the “Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.” This year’s “Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” event features three nature-friendly hiking routes, including the “Hunludi Trail” in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, the “Yao Ren Gou Pit Trail” in Taichung, and the “Dagangshan Trail” in Kaohsiung. Chang Kuo-chin said that over the years, more than 60 such events have been held, garnering a large base of supporters. “This year we’ve added a family category, hoping to instill environmental awareness starting from family education and nurture ecological conservation values in children from a young age.” 1051120
Leave No Trace Hiking Fun – HowToTrip Protects Taiwan’s Mountains
The 9th consecutive “Leave No Trace Hiking Fun” event, organized by HowToTrip to promote the Leave No Trace philosophy, encourage proper hiking practices, and preserve the beauty of Taiwan’s mountains, has been held over 60 times nationwide since its inception. This year, the event was launched simultaneously in New Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, attracting nearly 10,000 participants. This year’s Leave No Trace Hiking Fun carefully selected three of Taiwan’s renowned peaks for climbing. The event began with professional coaches leading warm-up exercises using stress-relief sticks developed by HowToTrip, followed by a mountain protection oath. HowToTrip’s Executive Vice President Chang Kuo-chin, along with representatives from the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, the Chinese Taipei Hiking Association, Gore-Tex Taiwan, and the Taiwan Leisure Hotel Association, led the walk together. This year’s Leave No Trace Hiking Fun features three scenic mountain routes, including the Hōng-lôo-tē Trail in Zhonghe, New Taipei City.
Local Scan – 19 Rescuers Deployed to Save Lost Hiking Team
Hualien: On the evening of the 8th, the Fuli Branch of the Third Battalion of the Hualien County Fire Bureau received a report stating that a hiking team of four people had lost their way in the waterfall valley area while descending from Guango Mountain. The Hualien County Fire Bureau dispatched rescue teams including those from Yuli and Fuli, totaling 19 rescuers, to the scene. They successfully rescued the lost hiking team in the waterfall valley and confirmed that all four individuals were unharmed.
Taitung · Cihen Lake & Jiaming Lake · No Hikers Allowed
“Angel’s Tears” is so beautiful. Online photos of the crystal-clear Cihen Lake have attracted many visitors to hike here as a pilgrimage, resulting in over 20,000 hikers flocking to the high-mountain trails every year. To prevent severe trampling of the mountain area, the Taitung Forest District Office began implementing a “mountain closure” measure starting on the 5th, prohibiting hikers from entering. Cihen Lake, at an altitude of 3,310 meters, is the second-highest alpine lake in Taiwan. In the past, Cihen Lake was only a word-of-mouth destination among experienced high-mountain hikers. However, with the rise of the internet and the widespread sharing of stunning images of the lake, visitor numbers surged from fewer than 10,000 per year to surpassing 20,000 four years ago, placing a heavy burden on the mountain environment. The Taitung Forest District Office has enforced mountain hut regulations since two years ago. The Xiangyang Mountain Hut and Cihen Lake Shelter Hut together have 176 beds available daily—only those who have applied for a bed can enter the mountains. This has improved the previous situation where over 700 hikers would crowd into the mountains during long holidays. Last year, despite multiple typhoons causing transportation disruptions, there were still 16,880 hiker entries.
Kaohsiung City’s 119 App Saves Lost Hiker – GPS Positioning Enables Rapid Rescue
The Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau launched the “Kaohsiung 119” app last December. Through the app, users’ GPS (Global Positioning System) data can be automatically transmitted to the 119 emergency response center, allowing firefighters to quickly pinpoint the user’s location. On the 6th, hiker Ms. Wang got lost on Mount Weiliao. After calling 119 to report the incident, she was guided to install the emergency reporting app, which enabled the search and rescue team to successfully locate her — marking the first successful rescue using the app’s positioning feature. Stranded in the mountains, where there’s no village ahead or shop behind, the first thing people think of is to call 119. The Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau noted that at 4 p.m. on the 6th, they received a report from Ms. Wang stating that she was lost on the hiking trail of Mount Weiliao. A four-person advance team, led by Petty Officer Yiman of the Maolin Fire Station, immediately set out lightly equipped. However, to ensure they could accurately determine Ms. Wang’s location, firefighters asked her to stay calm and wait for help in place.