Classic Itineraries
Hikers Lost in the Mountains Rescued Quickly via City App’s Location Tracking
A female hiker surnamed Wang got lost on her way down from Tailiao Mountain in Kaohsiung yesterday afternoon. After receiving the report, the Fire Bureau guided her to use the “Kaohsiung 119” app installed on her smartphone to send a text message, which enabled GPS positioning and led to her rescue. This marks the first time the bureau has successfully located a lost person using precise app-based positioning. The Fire Bureau received a report from Ms. Wang yesterday afternoon stating that she was lost on the hiking trail of Tailiao Mountain. The Maolin Fire Station immediately dispatched personnel on a light rescue mission. To confirm the caller’s location, the Fire Bureau first asked the reporting individual to send two photos of the surrounding environment via messaging apps for rescuers’ reference. They also instructed Ms. Wang to stay calm and wait for help at her current location. Meanwhile, they guided her to download the “Kaohsiung 119” app and send an emergency text message to the 119 Disaster Relief and Rescue Command Center. Based on this, staff were able to pinpoint her location,
Tibetan Mastiff Not Properly Leashed, Hiker Bitten on Beitou’s Shamao Mountain
New Year’s Eve Hiking Accident: Taipei City Animal Protection Office reported that at 11:00 today, a citizen alerted authorities to an incident where a Tibetan mastiff attacked and injured a hiker on the Shamao Mountain hiking trail in Yangmingshan. It turned out that a privately owned Tibetan mastiff had fled in panic after being startled. Fortunately, the owner, along with the Animal Protection Office and police-firefighters, quickly mobilized to search for the dog, preventing further injuries to other hikers. The victim was a 56-year-old male hiker who suffered a laceration on his left calf. After being treated by medical personnel, he is in stable condition. The Animal Protection Office stated that the Tibetan mastiff in question is just over one year old and had escaped from home yesterday after being frightened by nearby fireworks, which led to the attack on the hiking trail near its residence. “The city’s Animal Protection Office said that upon receiving the report, a rescue team was dispatched and arrived at the scene by 11:20 AM. They immediately contacted the owner and coordinated with the police to conduct a thorough search of the mountain area to locate the mastiff.”
Hiker Injured by Mastiff on Yangmingshan Mountain; Owner Fined
A hiker on the Shamao Mountain Trail in Yangmingshan, Beitou, was bitten by a stray mastiff this morning but fortunately did not sustain life-threatening injuries. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office will penalize the owner in accordance with the law. A 56-year-old male hiker was climbing the Shamao Mountain Trail around 11 a.m. when a mastiff suddenly appeared and attacked him, causing a laceration on his left calf. Fortunately, after being treated by medical personnel, the man was unharmed. The Animal Protection Office investigated and found that the mastiff was owned by a local resident surnamed Tsai, approximately one year old. It had escaped from home yesterday after being startled by nearby fireworks. Officers from the Animal Protection Office, fire and police departments, and the owner conducted a thorough search of the mountain to locate the dog. At 12:20 p.m. that day, the mastiff was spotted.
Hiker dies in illegal Black Mountain climb; body successfully airlifted down by helicopter
A 14-member hiking team from New Taipei City entered the mountains from Ruisui, Hualien on the 23rd. Originally permitted to hike the Ruisui to Wanrong section and return, they illegally ventured into the Nantou County section of the Southern Section Three. On the 28th, a hiking accident occurred near Kelekele Anshan, where 62-year-old team member Mr. Zhuang fell into a valley. Rescued by teammates, he was placed in a bivouac sack but was found dead at around 8 a.m. on the 29th. The Nantou County Fire Bureau organized a ground search team and requested simultaneous helicopter rescue. Yesterday, thick clouds prevented the helicopter from succeeding; this morning at 7:48 a.m., the helicopter took off from Taichung Airport and at 8:45 a.m. successfully airlifted the body, arriving safely at the Zhushan Training Center.
Location Scan – The Western Ridge Hiking Trail of Snow Mountain to Open Early Next Year
Miaoli: The Western Ridge of Shei-Pa National Park has been closed since July 2013 due to consecutive typhoons. After multiple inspections and assessments by conservation rangers, volunteers, and the trail adoption group, it will reopen on January 4, 2017. Entry permits can be applied for online starting at 7:00 AM on the 28th.
Woman lost in mountains for 3 days survives by drinking stream water
A woman surnamed Chan from Taipei City went hiking in Taoyuan Valley, Yilan on the 23rd, but lost her way while descending and strayed off the trail. After receiving the report, the Yilan County Fire Department and other units launched a rescue operation and located Chan yesterday. Although she had been missing for three days, she managed to sustain herself with stream water and rice balls, and was luckily rescued on Christmas Day. Chan set out alone at 9 a.m. on the 23rd from the parking lot opposite Daxi in Toucheng Township, Yilan County, heading toward Taoyuan Valley. After walking about 2 kilometers downhill, she became disoriented and strayed from the trail. By 1 p.m., she had completely lost her sense of direction. Before her phone ran out of battery, she quickly contacted her sister via Line and asked her to report the situation and seek help. The fire department dispatched over 20 personnel for the search, with the Forestry Bureau and the Kavalan Rescue Association also joining the effort. Since the area where Chan went missing is located at the border of Yilan County and New Taipei City, the New Taipei City Fire Department also sent personnel to assist in the search.
Closed for 3 years due to typhoon damage, 1/4 of the Xueshan West Ridge hiking trail reopens
The Xueshan West Ridge in Shei-Pa National Park has been closed since July 2013 due to multiple typhoons. After multiple inspections and assessments by conservation rangers, volunteers, and the trail adoption group, it will reopen on January 4, 2017. Mountain entry permits can be applied for online starting at 7 a.m. on the 28th. After the 921 Earthquake in 1999, several sections along the 0K–26K stretch of the 230 Forest Road on the Xueshan West Ridge suffered severe roadbed loss and landslides. For safety reasons, the Shei-Pa National Park Administration suspended public access until April 2010. On July 11, 2013, the Xueshan West Ridge was closed again due to the severe impact of Typhoon Soudelor and subsequent consecutive typhoons. Over the past three years, multiple trail inspections and evaluations have been conducted. Starting next year, reopening will align with the park’s trail classification system.
Winter Ascents in Yushan National Park – Heightened Safety Precautions Required
Yushan National Park features several popular hiking routes. With the arrival of the high-altitude winter snow season, hikers are reminded to have sufficient winter climbing experience and equipment, exercise heightened safety awareness, and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Yushan National Park is home to renowned long-distance hiking trails such as Yushan Main Peak, the Yushan Main Peak Range Route, the Mabolasih Traverse, the Batongguan Historic Trail (Japanese Era), and the Southern Section Two. As the high-altitude snow season begins, areas above 3,000 meters face a high likelihood of snowfall or icy trails when moisture is present. The Yushan National Park Headquarters today urged the public to pay close attention to winter alpine hiking safety. The park authority stated that even outside of the snow season, hikers traversing steep mountain slopes, bare rock, landslide zones, and cliffs already face a certain risk of accidents. When snowfall or icy trails occur, the danger level increases significantly. Hikers must not only overcome challenging terrain but also contend with low temperatures, strong winds, dense fog, and even blizzards. Without adequate experience in handling such conditions, the risk of accidents is considerably higher.
The Mysterious 3-Day, 2-Night Ordeal in Peach Blossom Valley: Surviving by a Stream
A 55-year-old woman surnamed Chan from Taipei City went hiking alone in Peach Blossom Valley. Unexpectedly, she got trapped in the mountains for three days and two nights during her return trip. Although she had called the police, nearly ten officers were deployed but couldn’t find her. In the end, the woman relied on her willpower to endure the long nights and safely found her way back. However, the police still couldn’t understand how she seemed to have completely vanished during those three days and two nights.
Hiking enthusiast falls in Heping District; firefighters carry them down the mountain to hospital
A hiker in the Yuanzui Shaolai Mountain Trail in Heping District, Taichung City, fell today and suffered a sprained right ankle. The Taichung City Fire Department responded to the report and dispatched personnel to rescue the injured, who was then carried down the mountain to receive medical treatment. The Taichung City Fire Department received a report at 11:49 a.m. stating that among a group of 20 hikers, a woman around 60 years old had fallen at the 2.5 km mark of the Yuanzui Shaolai Mountain Trail in Heping District. She was suspected to have a fractured right ankle but remained conscious. The fire department promptly sent personnel up the mountain and reached the injured hiker around 1:48 p.m. After providing first aid such as bandaging and immobilization, firefighters carried the injured person down the mountain to the hiking entrance at 29K on the Daxueshan Forest Road, where an ambulance from the Dongshi branch took them to the hospital. 1051225
How many souls lie beneath Mount Everest? The number is beyond imagination.
Mount Everest, also known as Qomolangma, is part of the Himalayas, located on the border between mainland China and Nepal. As the world’s highest peak, its uniqueness and mystery attract mountaineers from around the globe every year. Therefore, conquering Mount Everest is considered a tremendous honor.
Missing for eight days during mountain climb, 70-year-old man dies in Tucheng mountain area
The 77-year-old surnamed Lin told his family on the morning of the 10th that he was going to hike at Changshou Mountain in Sanxia. When he failed to return home that evening, his family reported him missing to police and firefighters. They said Lin had gone hiking alone, carrying enough water and food for one day, but had no warm clothing and did not bring any communication devices.
Is there an age limit? Doctor: Those over 50 should reduce mountain climbing
Mountain climbing is one of the preferred exercises for many seniors, but doctors warn that if people hear their knees making noise or feel strained and weak while walking, they should not go mountain climbing. Those over 50 are advised to choose swimming or brisk walking as their exercise routines to avoid knee damage.
LA SPORTIVA Hiking Shoes – Waterproof, Breathable & Comfortable in All Weather
As the number of global hiking enthusiasts increases year by year, the functional demands for hiking products, especially footwear, continue to grow. During outdoor hikes, since one-third of the human body’s sweat glands are located on the soles of the feet, the interior of the shoes can easily become damp due to foot sweating. Keeping feet dry during long walks has been one of the key challenges the outdoor industry has been exploring.
Nuts to that—climbing without food, 12 people survived a freezing night on one bowl of instant noodles
With the weather getting colder lately, having enough to eat and staying warm has become the simplest form of happiness for everyone. But recently, Mirror Media uncovered a harrowing mountain accident: 11 staff members from the Extension Education Division of Chinese Culture University participated in a "hidden gem of the mountains" activity—a 2-day, 1-night hike to Jiaoluo Lake in Yilan. The trip was advertised as requiring no food, sleeping bags, or other gear. However, when the staff reached the shores of Jiaoluo Lake at an altitude of 2,242 meters, they realized they had nothing. In the end, the 11 staff members and their guide survived the frigid 6°C temperatures with just one bowl of instant noodles. One team member even suffered from hypothermia and nearly lost her life.
The Antungjun Mountain Hike features summit-raising hand signs for commemorative photos.
To ensure hiking safety, the Nantou Forest District Office has installed a signpost and signage system along the western section of the Nenggao Traverse and the Antungjun Mountain Hike trail, reducing the likelihood of getting lost. There are also summit-raising hand signs available for commemorative photos. The western section of the Nenggao Traverse and the Antungjun Mountain Hike trail are popular yet challenging hiking routes. To provide hikers with accurate signage and reduce the chances of getting lost or encountering mountain accidents, the Nantou Forest District Office under the Forestry Bureau planned, designed, and installed the signage system this year, which has been well received by hikers since its launch. The Nantou Forest District Office stated today that the signage and interpretive system includes 34 route signs, 32 mileage posts, 8 summit-raising hand signs, and 3 hiking information notice boards. Among these, the summit-raising hand signs are designed for hikers to take commemorative photos and are located at Antung Main Peak, Antung South Peak, Qilai South Peak, Nanhuashan,
Hualien: Hiker Injured on Wulami Trail, Rescued by Police and Firefighters in Relay
A married couple surnamed Zhang from Yuli Township, Hualien County, were taking a walk on the Wulami Trail in Zhuoxi Township around 4 p.m. on the 13th. About 2 kilometers from the trailhead, the wife reportedly lost her footing due to poor visibility and fell, suffering a fractured right shin with severe bleeding and immobility. Her husband was unable to carry her out and had to call for police and firefighter assistance. The Yuli Fire Department dispatched 10 police, volunteer firefighters, and forest rangers from the Yushan National Park Administration to rush to the scene. Due to rapidly changing mountain weather in the afternoon, heavy fog significantly reduced visibility, and rain made the path muddy and slippery. These conditions not only slowed down the rescue but also tested the rescuers’ physical strength and determination. After overcoming numerous obstacles, the rescuers arrived on-site, first immobilizing the woman’s injured leg to prevent further harm, then carrying her in relay all the way to the trailhead before transferring her to an ambulance for hospital treatment. The Hualien County Fire Bureau
Leaves Accompany Me? The Must-See Annual Highlight of the 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season
Recently, the long-awaited large-scale thematic series event "Leaves Accompany Me? 2013 Lafuma Mountaineering Season" has officially kicked off. Within just one week, it has sparked an unstoppable mountaineering craze in the industry, instantly igniting the passion of midsummer and becoming the most popular outdoor brand event among outdoor enthusiasts. It is reported...
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Mount Everest’s harsh environment sees around a thousand Taiwanese climbers annually
It’s no longer difficult to witness the allure of the world’s highest peak—Mount Everest. Whether traveling to the southern side in Nepal or the northern side in Tibet, it’s quite convenient for Taiwanese to visit either of the two base camps for tourism or hiking. However, due to the challenging natural environment, it’s estimated that only about a thousand Taiwanese visit Everest each year. Altitude sickness affects almost everyone, though the severity varies. Lin Wen-kun, secretary-general of the Republic of China Hiking and Mountaineering Association, who has led hiking trips to Everest many times, said he started leading hikes on the southern side over a decade ago. Although most participants are young people over 20, he has also taken a 70-year-old member. Altitude sickness didn’t bother the elderly participant, though their slower pace was due to age. The optimal months for hiking are from May to October, with typical itineraries lasting