Classic Itineraries
Rescue mountain hiker: Search team sets out in the rain
Immediate rescue underway. Li Minghan, a 29-year-old hiker, was trekking solo across the Central Mountain Range last month when he accidentally fell into a valley and broke his left leg. After being out of contact for 30 days, he miraculously managed to call for help via his mobile phone. With torrential rains hitting Taiwan, a team of elite rescuers from Hualien’s police and fire departments set off into the mountains yesterday despite the downpour. They are expected to hike for five days to reach the area where Li is trapped. The Hualien County Fire Bureau said that after receiving good news the day before, morale among the rescuers soared. At around 9 a.m. yesterday, seven members of the advance command post, including Liu Yin-qiao, along with firefighters Ye Mingxiu, veteran ranger Li Wenxiong, Bunun tribesman Gao Yingshan and Wei Youren from Zhuoxi Township, as well as hikers Ye Zhaoyong and Huang Yaohuo—all seasoned rescue personnel—departed from Chinan in Shoufeng Township. Wang Mingzhong, head of the Fire Bureau’s Second Division, said that Li Minghan made a total of seven emergency calls the previous morning. Two of them were unclear due to poor signal, but authorities gradually learned that he had fallen into a valley, fracturing his left calf. He managed to climb up to a ridge and set up camp while awaiting rescue. However, he faced a shortage of food. Yesterday morning, Li also attempted to make emergency calls, but poor signal hampered communication. The fire department stated that they believe Li is trapped near the 2,457-meter peak ridge around Dahuishan. The horizontal distance on the map alone is about 10 kilometers. Due to dense jungle and heavy rain in the mountains, the rescue progress has been affected. On the first day, despite hiking through the rain, they managed to cover approximately 5 kilometers and are expected to reach the area where Li is trapped by the 19th. Wang Mingzhong said that facing the harsh mountain weather, rescuers are not only carrying communication tools such as satellite phones and radios, but are also conducting regular safety reports three times a day—morning, noon, and evening. They are also praying for the rains to let up. In addition, they continue to assess weather conditions every morning, and will dispatch a helicopter for a hoist rescue or airdrop of supplies as soon as the weather improves, hoping to bring Li down from the mountain as quickly as possible.
Hiking Together: Dongshi Police Shine with Sunshine
As the annual Police Day approaches, the Dongshi Police Precinct held a hiking event for elementary and middle school students on the 13th. Led personally by Precinct Chief Wu Yaonan, over a hundred participants including police officers, local dignitaries, police friends' offices, volunteer police, civil defense personnel, and police volunteers enjoyed the cool, fragrant air along the trail in a relaxed atmosphere. No stress (láo) on cops, no stress (láo) at all (láo)! The hiking activity adhered to the principle that all participants enjoyed the fresh, fragrant mountain air with ease. On the way back, they visited the Tzu Chi Foundation’s Dongshi liaison office for an exchange, hoping the outing would help sweep away the daily busyness and pressure of work, allowing officers and volunteer personnel to enhance their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Hiker missing for a month, lone adventurer calls for help
Miracle！A 29-year-old man surnamed Li from Taipei applied to enter the mountains from Nantou on the 13th of last month, planning to cross the Central Mountain Range and arrive in Hualien on the 28th. Unexpectedly, he has been missing for a full month. Search efforts by police and firefighters in the mountains have yielded no results for several days. Early yesterday morning, it was reported that they received a distress call from Mr. Li, who said his injured calf had affected his progress and that his food supplies had run out. The fire department plans to enter the mountains for rescue as soon as possible before heavy rain arrives. Wang Mingzhong, captain of the Second Battalion of the Hualien County Fire Bureau, said that on the morning of the 14th, they received seven distress calls from the male hiker, stating that he had fallen into a valley, fracturing his left calf, and with insufficient food, could only wait for rescue at the site. By comparing the call location, it is preliminarily determined that he may be trapped along the Dahuai Mountain West Ridge Baling Line at an altitude of about 2,457 meters. As the route Mr. Li was taking — the Mudan Yanha Transverse — is a relatively less-explored trail with dense jungle and unclear paths, after sending a text message to his parents on the 15th of last month from near Mudan Pond at an altitude of nearly 3,000 meters to “report safety,” he has been out of contact since. His family reported him missing on the 3rd, and for the past 11 days, over a hundred search personnel have been mobilized, splitting into two teams to search in Bashawan Mountain and Xinmugua areas, akin to “searching for a needle in a haystack.”
A mountaineer illegally crosses borders via Everest; Tibet Mountaineering Association bans foreigners
A Polish climber who summited the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, from Tibet in May this year then illegally crossed the border by descending from the southern side in Nepal has greatly upset the Tibet Mountaineering Association. To strengthen management of similar incidents, the Tibet association has decided to halt all foreign climbers’ ascents of Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters in Tibet this autumn. The Tibet Autonomous Region Mountaineering Association announced on the 11th that it has temporarily suspended receiving foreign mountaineering teams entering Tibet this autumn. The affected activities include not only climbs on the northern slope of Mount Everest but also ascents of other peaks over 8,000 meters such as Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. Notices about the suspension have been sent out to various foreign mountaineering teams in recent days. “Climbing north and descending south angers the association” Soinam, head of the Tibet Autonomous Region Mountaineering Association, said:
The northern slope of Mount Everest boasts a better environment, favored by international mountaineers
Since April this year, there have been frequent reports of climbers losing their lives on the southern slope of Mount Everest, while the northern slope has seen few bad news. Except for the impact of the strong earthquake in Nepal in April 2015, the climbing season on the northern slope of Everest in Tibet has become increasingly smooth and efficient, attracting more international mountaineers. Bai Ma Chilie, deputy secretary-general of the Tibet Mountaineering Association, said that this year a total of 300-plus people from international climbing teams across 29 countries and regions planned to summit Everest within Tibet, including 173 who successfully reached the summit, including high-altitude guides. Among them, over 80 were climbers, a number similar to previous years. He said that this year Nepal issued the highest number of climbing permits to foreigners ever, while Tibet has been cautious about this matter.
Woman slips down slope while hiking, luckily only slightly injured
A 62-year-old woman surnamed Yan from New Taipei City was hiking with her 48-year-old friend surnamed Huang at Emperor's Terrace in Shiding District around 11 a.m. today (12th). While ascending from the East Peak hiking trail toward West Peak, she reportedly slipped on the wet path due to consecutive days of rain in the mountainous area and fell 60 meters down a grassy slope. Responding police and firefighters arrived and used ropes to climb down and rescue her. Luckily, she only suffered minor abrasions and was unharmed. The officers also helped both women safely descend the mountain and return home. Firefighting Bureau’s 4th Disaster Relief and Ambulance Division Chief Hsiao Likai reminded the public to pay close attention to trail conditions and weather when hiking, avoid going up the mountain in bad weather, and not hike alone to prevent being unable to call for help in case of an emergency.
Polish mountaineer illegally crosses border; Tibet suspends foreign climbs of 8,000m+ peaks this autumn
A Polish climber who summited the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, in Tibet in May this year illegally crossed the border and descended from the southern side in Nepal, angering the Tibet Mountaineering Association. To strengthen management of similar incidents, the Tibet Mountaineering Association has decided to suspend all foreign climbers’ ascents of Himalayan peaks over 8,000 meters in Tibet this autumn. The Tibet Autonomous Region Mountaineering Association announced on the 11th that it has temporarily suspended the reception of overseas climbing teams planning to enter Tibet this autumn. The suspension affects not only climbs on the north side of Mount Everest but also ascents of other peaks over 8,000 meters, including Cho Oyu and Shishapangma. Notices about the suspension have been sent out to affected overseas climbing teams in recent days. Soinam, head of the Tibet Autonomous Region Mountaineering Association, stated that the reason for the suspension
30 hikers stranded in Wulai due to rain, rescued with police and firefighters' help
At around 4:35 p.m. today (11th), police in Sanxia received a report from the public that a hiking group of 30 people from the Taipei Early Risers Association had been hiking near the Yunxian Waterfall in Wulai. However, due to unstable weather conditions in the afternoon, heavy rain poured down, stranding them in the mountains. Initially, two members descended to seek help. Upon receiving the report, police and firefighters immediately organized two rescue teams to enter the mountains. By around 7:25 p.m., they successfully guided all 28 members down the mountain, all of whom were in good health.
Fangliao Police Roll Up Their Sleeves for a Mountain Cleanup at Lili Mountain Hiking Trail
To promote social good and encourage employees and their families to actively participate in volunteer services, the Fangliao Police Sub-bureau in Pingtung held a mountain cleanup activity this afternoon on the Lili Mountain Hiking Trail in Chunya Township. Along the way, they collected litter to purify the environment and took the opportunity to share work experiences and communicate ideas, thereby strengthening team cohesion. The Fangliao Sub-bureau’s jurisdiction features both mountainous landscapes and coastal areas. In addition to beautiful natural coastal landforms, it also boasts magnificent mountain scenery. There are multiple hiking trails in the mountainous areas under its jurisdiction. Taking advantage of this opportunity to organize a mountain cleanup, the bureau aimed to preserve the ecological environment of the mountains, clean and purify the hiking trails, and leave behind a high-quality hiking environment for every citizen who loves their hometown and the forests. Fangliao Sub-bureau Chief Cai Yaoshun stated that only police officers with a foundation of physical and mental health can form a stable police force to maintain public safety. Police officers usually have heavy duties, and their daily routines must align with operational needs, leaving little time for exercise and fitness. By organizing this volunteer mountain cleanup activity, the bureau invited colleagues to hike together at Lili Mountain, not only to train their physical fitness but also to take the opportunity to share work experiences, exchange ideas, and further strengthen their commitment to police work.
The Shei-Pa National Park will reopen some hiking trails on June 6
Starting at 5:00 AM on June 6, the Shei-Pa National Park Administration will resume entry activities in the ecological protection zones along the Snow Mountain Main-East Peak Trail, Wuling Four Beauties Trail (excluding Xiuba Trail), and Snow Mountain West Ridge Trail. Routes that remain closed will be inspected and repaired progressively, with reopening dates to be announced separately on the official Shei-Pa National Park website. After heavy rains, mountainous areas may have loose soil and rocks prone to landslides, and there remains a chance of continued rainfall. The park administration urges hikers planning to trek in the Shei-Pa area during the plum rain season to stay updated on weather forecasts from the Central Weather Bureau, prepare thorough hiking plans—including evacuation strategies and risk assessments—and pay close attention to personal safety during the hike. If encountering dangerous sections with old or new landslides or challenging terrains, hikers should carefully evaluate whether to proceed or retreat the same way, and are encouraged to report the conditions of forest roads and trails to assist the park administration in disaster recovery efforts.
Local Update – Hiking Enthusiast from Taipei Goes Missing in the Mountains; Search Efforts Intensified
Hualien: A 29-year-old male hiker from Taipei City entered the mountains alone on May 13 from Nantou to climb the Nenggao Mountain Trail. He was expected to cross over to Tongmen in Hualien on May 28. However, after a week of waiting, his family grew anxious as he failed to return and urgently requested assistance in locating him. Due to continuous heavy rain in recent days, search and rescue efforts were hindered. Yesterday, taking advantage of clearer weather, police and firefighters dispatched personnel to the mountains to clear a helicopter landing site and expanded the search operation, hoping to locate the man as soon as possible.
Ignoring Warnings and Forcing Ascent: Tamkang University Hiking Team Safely Descends
While heavy rain battered the entire island, a 15-member hiking team from Tamkang University disregarded warnings from staff at the Shei-Pa National Park Guanwu Management Station on the morning of the 2nd and proceeded with their originally planned 3-day, 2-night trek along the Daba Route. However, around 3 p.m. that day, they were blocked by a landslide at the 8.8 km mark on the Eastern Section of the Dalu Forest Road and called for rescue from the Guanwu Management Station. Due to the severe weather, rescuers were unable to reach them. After confirming that all team members were safe and had sufficient food supplies, the team was led that night by staff at Jiujiu Mountain Lodge and hired high-altitude support personnel to a temporary work hut located 15 km away. After two days of waiting, on the morning of the 4th, the hiking team was safely escorted by rescuers and arrived at the Guanwu Station by noon, after which they returned home.
University Mountaineering Team Stranded for 2 Days Due to Landslide, Safely Descend Today
A 15-member mountaineering team from Tamkang University disregarded warnings from personnel at the Guanwu Management Station of the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters on the 2nd and proceeded with their original plan to climb Mt. Dabajian. After entering the park on the 2nd, the group was blocked by a landslide at the 8.8K mark on the East Section of the Daliulin Forest Road and called for help. With the assistance of high-altitude support staff overnight, they were moved to a cabin at the 15K point to rest. The Miaoli County Fire Department, the 5th Brigade of the Taiwan Police College’s 7th Battalion, and personnel from the Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters maintained continuous contact. On the morning of the 4th, special search personnel from the fire department made contact with the 15 hikers at the 3.3K mark on the East Section of the Daliulin Forest Road. They are estimated to reach the Guanwu Management Station by 12:30 PM, bringing an end to the scare.
10 people risk their lives to retrieve one body? Is it worth bringing Everest climbers' corpses down the mountain?
At an altitude of about 8,840 meters, Mount Everest is a lifelong dream destination for many climbers. However, the harsh survival conditions on the mountain have led to the deaths of numerous climbers, with around 200 bodies still remaining on the peak. Retrieving these remains is an extremely dangerous task that requires at least 10 local Sherpa guides to navigate treacherous weather and terrain just to bring down one body. This has sparked intense debate over whether it is worth risking Sherpas’ lives to recover the dead. According to the Associated Press, the body of Indian climber Gautam Ghosh, who died near Mount Everest several years ago, was only airlifted to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu by helicopter on Sunday. His brother wept as he received the remains: “We can finally bring him home. Once his body is cremated, his soul can rest in peace, and our family can be at ease.” Three other bodies were also brought down the mountain along with Ghosh’s.
Mountain guide Ma Boshan House suffers severe abdominal pain, airlifted by helicopter to hospital
A six-member hiking team from New Taipei City reported to the Nantou County Fire Department at 2:30 a.m. on the 30th that their 56-year-old leader, surnamed Tan, was experiencing severe abdominal pain while staying overnight at Maoborashan Mountain Hut and needed assistance. Rescue teams formed by personnel from the Xinyi and Yushan fire brigades, the Yushan National Park Administration, and police set out on foot at 8 a.m. yesterday to climb up the mountain to rescue him. Since the hike from Dongpu Trailhead in Xinyi Township to the mountain hut takes three days, an Air Rescue Squadron helicopter was additionally requested to save time. The Nantou County Fire Department stated that at 6:40 a.m. today (31st), the helicopter successfully conducted a hoist rescue and landed at the Training Center of the Ministry of the Interior's Fire Agency. The patient was then transported by ambulance from the Mianjian Fire Brigade to Zhushan Show Chwan Hospital for medical treatment.
Registration for the 2nd Rollerblade® Cup Mini Kids Street Skating Competition is now open
kid street competition poster 2013 As inline skating becomes increasingly popular among younger age groups, the toddler market has also matured. The 2nd Rollerblade® Cup MINI Kids Street Skating Competition is scheduled to take place at 7:30 AM on August 10, 2013, at the University of International Business and Economics. As one of the Rollerblade® Cup Mini Kids Street Skating Competitions...
8 Tour Routes – Cool Summer Hiking
The annual New Taipei City Hiking Festival has kicked off. In response to the scorching summer heat, the New Taipei City Government has launched a “Cool Summer” theme, selecting 8 refreshing hiking routes based on three key features: streams, waterfalls, and forests. These routes combine guided trail tours and specialty meals, offering a blend of natural ecology and cultural experiences, inviting the public to deeply explore local characteristics. New Taipei City’s Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that there are three stream hiking routes, including the Tea Gold Trail along Pinglin Kuolai Ancient Trail and Shuangxi Beishi Creek Ancient Trail; the Pinglin Jingualiao Fern Trail, which is home to 108 species of ferns, giving the feeling of stepping back into the Jurassic period; and the Wuzhi Mountain Ancient Trail in Xizhi District, where bamboo groves and cool streams provide an excellent choice for summer hiking. It can also be combined with a Lamigo yacht tour for a sea-based experience, allowing you to admire the “Golden Candlestick and Twin Islets of Jinshan” from a different perspective—perfect for a day of both mountain and sea adventures.
Two men stranded in the Bagua Mountain maze—three lost hiker incidents in two years?
The "One-Line Sky" area of Bagua Mountain in Changhua frequently sees hikers getting lost. The distress call from two men has sparked online discussion: could it be the "mountain spirits" appearing even before the seventh lunar month? Rescue personnel ventured into the mountainous terrain, navigating cliff-like paths where both sides looked nearly identical with little variation. After considerable effort, they finally located the two stranded hikers. At the time, the two men had arranged to go hiking on Bagua Mountain but, reportedly unfamiliar with the trails, they spent hours wandering around the Eagle-Watching Platform’s One-Line Sky area, unable to find their way out, which prompted them to call 119 for help. Strangely enough, rescuers could see the men from above, but the hikers couldn’t see the rescue team. Eventually, through shouting back and forth and using mobile phone positioning, the team maneuvered along the mountainside, crossed a stream valley, and rappelled down to a trail below the valley to guide the pair to safety. Firefighters noted that the surrounding landscape features very similar scenery.
Wife of Deputy Chief of Taipei City Fire Department Dies in Mountain Fall
A family of four, including Hong Wen-bin, deputy chief of the Second Division of the Taipei City Fire Department, were hiking on the Kite Beak and Shaolai Trails in Heping District, Taichung City, on the morning of the 4th. While descending in the evening and passing the 31-kilometer mark of the Daxue Mountain area, Hong’s 36-year-old wife accidentally slipped and fell into a valley. Rescue workers carried the injured to a rescue point late at night, but after evaluating her head injuries and suspected fractures in all four limbs, doctors pronounced her dead. The Taichung City Fire Department received the report around 5 p.m. yesterday and dispatched five vehicles with 17 personnel. Additional responders included four from the Forestry Bureau, two from the Heping Sub-bureau, four from the Mountain Rescue Volunteer Firefighters Squad, 11 from the Taichung Metropolitan Rescue Association, two from the Taichung 919 Rescue Association, three from the Taiwan International Search and Rescue Corps, four from the Mountain Rescue Association, and one physician from China Medical University Hospital, totaling 48 rescuers. Hong Wen-bin reported the incident to police and firefighters around 5 p.m.
Wife of Taipei City Fire Department Deputy Battalion Chief Falls to Death in 100-meter Valley, No Signs of Life
The wife of Hong Wen-bin, deputy battalion chief of the Second Battalion of the Taipei City Fire Department, and their family of four were hiking on the Kite Beak and Shaolai Trails in Heping District, Taichung City this morning. While descending near the 31-kilometer mark of the Daxue Mountain area, Hong’s wife accidentally slipped and fell into a valley. The Taichung City Fire Department dispatched two vehicles and seven personnel for the rescue operation. Rescuers have now reached Mrs. Zeng, who suffered multiple fractures in all four limbs, visible head injuries, and is in critical condition with impaired consciousness.