The snow season restrictions in Shei-Pa National Park will end on the 31st. However, a strong continental cold front is expected to hit during the Qingming holiday in April. Currently, parts of the trail to the main peak of Snow Mountain are still covered with snow that has not melted, forming slippery ice surfaces. Hikers still need to use snow climbing gear to pass safely. The Shei-Pa National Park Administration and the Fifth Battalion of the Pingtung Forest District Office (under the Fifth Brigade of the Conservation Police Corps) urge hikers planning to enter this ecological protection area to carry sufficient snow climbing equipment, heed the on-site assessments and advice from mountain lodge staff and conservation volunteers, and carefully evaluate snow conditions as well as the snow climbing abilities of all team members to manage risks properly. Those with insufficient snow climbing experience are advised to assess the situation cautiously and avoid acting rashly to prevent accidents. The Fifth Brigade of the Conservation Police Corps stated that due to the cold front that moved south over the weekend, the deepest snow accumulation in the Snow Mountain cirque reached 25 cm.
Frequent mountaineering accidents are alarming. To enhance safety awareness, the Yushan National Park Headquarters commissioned renowned director Yang Xiangwen to produce the microfilm "Jade Mountain Journey." The film follows mountain guide "Lahao" leading fellow hikers on a humble climb up Yushan (Jade Mountain). This cinematic tribute to Yushan’s beauty won the Best Film Award at this year’s American Premier Film Festival. Yesterday, at the film’s premiere, Yushan National Park Director Tseng Weihong expressed hope that the film would promote safer and more enjoyable mountaineering. Former Director Yeu Deng-liang praised both the director and “Best Actor” Gu Mingguang for their accurate portrayals.
Many climbers plan to summit Mount Everest this spring, and they will also take on the task of cleaning up trash this year. The Nepalese mountaineering expedition agency has provided them with large garbage bags to collect waste, which will then be transported back to the base camp by helicopter. The Guardian and Associated Press reported that Dambar Parajuli of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal said today that the garbage bags have been delivered to the camps and will be given to climbers, guides, and porters to carry up to high-altitude areas. Each bag can hold up to 80 kilograms of trash and can be airlifted back to the base camp from Camp II. Helicopters usually return empty from this camp at an altitude of 6,400
On the evening of the 28th, the Daxi Police Precinct of Taoyuan City received a report that several people were missing near Siling Hot Springs in Fuxing District and had not yet come down from the mountain. The police promptly launched a search operation and found three individuals—two men and one woman—at around 9 a.m. on the 29th. Fortunately, they were unharmed. The police stated that the three hikers had entered via Honghe Valley at around 6 a.m. on the 28th, intending to hike Mount Tangsui. Due to unfamiliarity with the terrain, they got lost and wandered around the mountains. Thick fog in the area also prevented them from descending safely. Thanks to the active efforts of Deputy Chief Zhang Xinghua of Guanghua Police Station, along with six personnel from the Baling Fire Brigade and the Forestry Bureau, the missing hikers were located at around 9 a.m. on a mountain about 1,500 meters opposite the hot springs. They were escorted down the mountain, provided with hot meals at the station for rest, and then allowed to return home.
An avalanche occurred at a ski resort in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan on the 27th, involving 48 high school teachers and students who were attending a mountain safety training session, resulting in 8 deaths and 40 injuries. When the avalanche struck, some teachers told the students to lie down, but were criticized: “That’s practically suicide!” Surviving students also questioned why the training was forcibly carried out despite heavy snowfall.
Since 2004, Taiwu Elementary School has organized an annual mountain-climbing activity for its fifth and sixth graders to scale Mt. Dabajian in the early spring, around late March to early April. For 13 years, the tradition has never been interrupted and has become an important school custom. Even in the year following Typhoon Morakot (known as the 88 Flood), when trail conditions were extremely poor, the students still made their way to the Cedar Valley, proving themselves as members of the Paiwan tribe and children of the mountains. This year, a total of 31 students, accompanied by teachers and parents, set off on the 29th. Their 3-day, 2-night journey covered 11 kilometers of mountain trails, with each student responsible for carrying their own nearly 10-kilogram backpack. Prior to the trip, the students trained by running 3 to 4 times a week to build stamina, and also practiced mountaineering on Mt. Lidingshan, which stands over 600 meters above sea level, and Mt. Pengjishan, nearly 900 meters high. 3 days, 2 nights — 11 kilometers of climbing Teacher Chiamake has participated in every edition of the event since the first year, leading the children up the mountain each time.
Edwin Avila of the United States-based team Illinois today squeezed into the leading group thanks to his team's tactical efforts and strong support from his teammates, then relied on his superior sprinting skills to cross the finish line first, claiming the stage victory at the Nantou County leg of the Tour de Taiwan. The 2017 International Cycling Tour de Taiwan – Nantou County Stage, started today from Nantou County Government and passed through Jiji Windmill Garden, Fudan Pond Stone Tablet, Nantou County Police Department, Xuanzang Temple, and finished at the Sun Moon Lake Shuishe Visitor Center, covering a total distance of 166.56 kilometers. Although the gradients were not particularly steep, the course featured constant undulations, posing a challenge to the riders' speed endurance. As the race neared its end, the competition for various leader jerseys intensified. In the high-stakes scenario, teams pulled out all the stops, leading to the formation of a leading group of four riders just about one kilometer into the fourth stage.
Mountain rescue cases in Hualien have been rising year by year. The number of annual mountain rescue missions has surged from 12 five years ago to 42 last year, leaving rescue personnel exhausted and the costs ultimately borne by taxpayers. The Hualien County Government has drafted its own "Mountain Climbing Self-Governance Ordinance," which is expected to be submitted to the county council for its third reading in April. Those who fail to climb in accordance with regulations will be required to cover their own rescue expenses. County Council third reading in April To reduce mountain accidents and minimize the waste of rescue resources, the Hualien County Government yesterday passed the "Hualien County Mountain Activity Management Self-Governance Ordinance" during a county government meeting. A total of 16 regulations were proposed, including requirements to follow a climbing plan when entering mountain areas under the county’s control, carrying communication equipment with positioning capabilities, being led by a professional guide, and purchasing comprehensive mountain climbing insurance. Fire Bureau Director Lin Wen-ruei stated that Hualien is home to numerous high mountains and famous peaks.
In recent years, the number of mountain rescue incidents in Hualien has risen sharply, increasing from 12 cases five years ago to 42 last year, leaving search and rescue personnel overwhelmed. The costs of these rescues have also fallen on the public. Hualien County has drafted its own self-governance ordinance for mountaineering activities, which is expected to be submitted to the county council for its third reading in April. Under the proposed rules, individuals who fail to comply with regulations when climbing will be responsible for their own rescue expenses. Hualien County Government aims to reduce the occurrence of mountain accidents and minimize the waste of rescue resources. Today, the county government meeting passed the Hualien County Mountain Activities Management Self-Governance Ordinance, which includes 16 regulatory provisions. These require hikers to follow an approved climbing plan when entering regulated mountain areas, carry communication devices with positioning capabilities, be led by professional guides, and purchase comprehensive mountain insurance. Fire Bureau Director Lin Wen-rui stated that Hualien is home to numerous high mountains and famous peaks, with many popular climbing routes in the area.
The second stage of the Tour de Taiwan took riders through the vast terrain of New Taipei City. Representing the Action Cycling Team, Taiwanese cyclist Chen Jianliang shook off the shadow of a crash in the first stage. Not only did he secure third place and points at the first sprint, but he also surged ahead in the final stretch to finish ninth overall, making him the top-performing Asian rider of the stage. Aside from showcasing his impressive sprinting ability, he also successfully completed a team task ahead of a climb, delivering an outstanding performance. The New Taipei City stage was quite challenging, covering a total distance of 114.67 kilometers. Starting from Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, the route followed the Northern Coastal Highway through Sanchi, Shimen, Jinshan, Yehliu, and Wanli before turning back at Aodi to the Baishawan Visitor Center. In addition to two climbing sections, the key battleground was the uphill battle on the Macao Creek climb. Racing along the coastal highway, riders faced strong headwinds and crosswinds, adding to the difficulty. The stage was won by James from the Great Britain Eagle Team. (Photo courtesy of the Cycling Association)
This morning, an avalanche occurred at a ski resort in the hot spring area of Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, resulting in the deaths of seven high school students and one teacher, and injuring 40 others, two of them seriously. Japanese media outlets such as NHK and Asahi Shimbun reported that around 9:20 a.m. (8:20 a.m. Taiwan time) today, an avalanche took place near the Nasu Onsen Kazokuyama Ski Resort in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, affecting high school students and teachers from a mountain climbing training session in Tochigi Prefecture. According to the Tochigi Prefectural Police, the avalanche occurred at an altitude of around 1,300 meters. Eight people — seven male students and one male teacher from Ohtawara High School, a public school in Tochigi Prefecture — were found without vital signs and were rushed to hospital. By around 9:30 p.m., all eight were confirmed dead. In addition, 40 teachers and students were injured...
The Hualien County Government has established a self-governance ordinance under which unauthorized mountain entry may incur fines of up to NT$50,000, with individuals also responsible for their own rescue expenses. The ordinance is expected to take effect as early as April.
According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, an avalanche occurred at a ski resort in the hot spring area of Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture, around 9:20 a.m. (8:20 a.m. Taiwan time) today. It is known that six high school students have shown no signs of life, and three others are missing. Japanese media outlets including NHK and the Asahi Shimbun reported that the local fire department stated the avalanche took place at the Nasu Onsen ski resort, where high school students who were hiking were caught in the incident. The Nasu Shiobara Police Station said that from the 25th to the 27th, the Tochigi Prefectural Sports Federation organized a mountain climbing training session for a total of 57 first- and second-year high school students within the prefecture. The Tochigi Prefectural Board of Education stated that those caught in the avalanche were students participating in the “Spring Mountain Training Camp” organized by the high school mountaineering clubs within the prefecture. From the 25th to the 27th, approximately 60 to 70 first- and second-year students from seven high schools took part.
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At around 5 p.m. on May 1, a 53-year-old woman surnamed Tsai went hiking on the Lishan Mountain Trail in Guanyinshan Scenic Area, Dashe District, with her husband. Unexpectedly, Tsai fainted due to exhaustion. Her husband called the police for help. Patrol Sergeant Chang Yuan-hsing and Officer Chu Feng-liang from Dashe Police Substation arrived at the mountain to search. Initially, they found no one or any calls for help, but the police did not give up. Eventually, they spotted someone shouting for help at the highest section of the Lishan Mountain Trail. Rescuers and fellow hikers worked together for two hours to carry Tsai down the mountain and to the hospital for observation. Fortunately, she was unharmed and was discharged shortly after.
How beautiful Taiwan is, and how much happier it is to explore it with Mom!Nature, like a mother, nurtures a rich and diverse ecological beauty. As Mother’s Day approaches, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications encourages everyone to step outdoors with their mothers. It has specially recommended high-quality eco-experience tours across Taiwan, inviting families to roam and experience Taiwan’s nature together. Starting from May 4, 2017, there will be an activity giving away eco-experience tours worth a total of NT$250,000 and 50 eco-experience discount vouchers worth NT$5,000 each, allowing more people to treat their hardworking mothers and learn more about the ecological features of different parts of Taiwan while enjoying its beautiful natural scenery. I. Eco-Experience Tours Giveaway Event To help more people appreciate the beauty of Taiwan’s ecology, from May 4 to May 14, there will be an event giving away eco-experience tours worth a total of NT$2
(Updated 18:05 with additional details) The Miaoli County Fire Bureau received a report this morning from the leader of a hiking group, stating that a 33-year-old man surnamed He had joined a team to climb Daxue Mountain. He reportedly got separated from his original group and ended up hiking with another team. On the evening of the 1st, they camped together at the Kehui Water Pool campsite, but early on the 2nd, he left without notice—both he and his gear had vanished. Other hikers, concerned about his whereabouts, reported the incident to the Miaoli County Fire Bureau. The Miaoli County Fire Bureau deployed six special search personnel, with four additional personnel from the Taichung City Fire Bureau providing support. They traveled to the Dongshi Riverside Park in Taichung City and were airlifted by helicopter to Pipida Mountain to conduct the search. Preliminary information indicates that Mr. He had applied for mountain entry and park admission permits from the authority managing Daxue Mountain, the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters, with plans to hike along the western ridge of Daxue Mountain. He was originally scheduled to descend today. The fire bureau applied for aerial reconnaissance and will employ both ground and air search methods to locate him.
A 33-year-old female hiker surnamed Li from Kaohsiung City and a male guide surnamed Huang attempted to climb Mount Qilai together on the 28th of last month. In the evening of the day before yesterday, Ms. Li fell into a valley and got trapped at the 5.8-kilometer mark along the gravel slope section, about five kilometers away from success fort. She called for help herself. Yesterday, the Air Rescue Squadron dispatched a Black Hawk helicopter to carry out a rescue mission. Unfortunately, Ms. Li was found to have already passed away. Her body was then lifted and transported to the Nantou Stadium for investigation by the authorities.
Yesterday (29th) at around 1 p.m., a couple from New Taipei City were hiking along the Northern Ridge Trail via the Jing Tong Ancient Trail in Pingxi District toward Shisunjian Peak when a woman, approximately 30 years old, fell about three meters and sustained injuries to both legs. Though conscious, she was unable to move. The incident was immediately reported to the emergency number 119. The Hsiufeng Special Search and Rescue team arrived carrying ropes and SKEDs (sled-style stretchers) to conduct the rescue. Using GPS, they located the stranded hiker. After making contact, assessing her vital signs, and evaluating the terrain and light conditions, they decided to request a helicopter hoist rescue from the Air Rescue Squadron. The woman was successfully airlifted and transported to hospital.