(Updated 19:23) After the wet and cold weather during the 228 holiday, a strong continental cold front has moved in. Multiple high-altitude areas within Shei-Pa National Park are covered in snow, creating a silver world. As the cold front turns drier and colder, the surface of the snow is melting and refreezing, making trails slippery. The Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters and the Fifth Brigade of the Traffic Police 7th Corps urge hikers who have recently applied to trek in the Shei-Pa area to carry and use crampons and ice axes correctly, and above all, pay attention to walking safety to avoid accidents.
The Fifth Brigade of the 7th Corps stated that the wet and cold weather during the 228 holiday brought moisture, and snow was observed above the Xinda Mountain Hut in the Pyeongtan Mountain area, one of the Four Beauties of Wuling. Taiwan’s second-highest peak, Snow Mountain Main Peak, standing at 3,886 meters, is covered with a thick layer of white snow. Snow has fallen throughout the Snow Mountain area above the 369 Mountain Hut, with about 10 cm of snow in the Snow Mountain cirque, presenting a vast silver landscape as if in a snow kingdom.
As this cold front is relatively dry and cold, there has been no additional snowfall in the mountains. However, in areas such as the water source area of the Black Forest in Snow Mountain that do not receive sunlight during the day, trails are prone to icing. Hikers are urged to assess their own mountaineering abilities and avoid taking risks in hazardous areas to prevent danger.
The silver-white world is attracting the interest of hikers. From January 1 to March 31 is the winter mountaineering control period, during which the Holy Ridge Line is closed to the public. Climbing teams wishing to access open hiking routes within the ecological protection zones of Shei-Pa National Park must apply in advance. The Fifth Brigade of the 7th Corps reported that from the beginning of the year to February 28, a total of 662 teams applied for entry. Police continue to conduct winter mountaineering equipment inspections at the Snow Mountain entrance together with Shei-Pa management authorities.
The Shei-Pa authorities remind that the daytime temperature in the mountains is currently around 2 to 3 degrees Celsius, dropping sharply to minus 5 degrees at night. Hikers are urged to pay attention to winter mountaineering safety and ensure proper warmth.
(China Times)