(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.
The hiker, surnamed He, who was feared missing, was spotted by fellow hikers around 2 p.m. today on Forest Road 230. He was found safe and sound and has since descended the mountain, bringing an end to the false alarm.
(China Times)