Autumn is a great time for hiking. The Shei-Pa National Park Headquarters notes that as autumn arrives, it is also the peak season for bee activity. If bees approach, remain calm and quiet, and detour away quickly. Additionally, temperatures in the high mountains vary greatly in autumn, so it’s important to keep warm.
Autumn, with its relatively stable climate and cool temperatures, also sees foliage plants beginning to decorate the highlands, making it one of the better seasons in Taiwan for hiking. Many people take this opportunity to hike in Shei-Pa.
The Shei-Pa Headquarters states that as autumn begins, bee activity also becomes more frequent. On August 28 of this year, five hikers on the Dajian-Xiaojian Trail at Pushui Mountain in the Shei-Pa area were stung by hornets. Fortunately, after reporting the incident, they were escorted down the mountain by police and firefighters and are not in life-threatening condition.
The Shei-Pa Headquarters warns that incidents of people being attacked by hornets in the mountains occur every autumn in Taiwan, as this is the season when bees begin to split hives, build new ones, and mate. Hornets, in order to guard their nests or forage for food to survive the winter, can become more aggressive toward humans.
The Shei-Pa Headquarters explains that being stung by bees can cause symptoms such as swelling, severe pain, vomiting, confusion, difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure, and lack of oxygen in the blood. In serious cases, it may lead to impaired kidney function or even be life-threatening, so precautions are essential.
The Shei-Pa Headquarters emphasizes that when engaging in outdoor activities in the mountains, wear long-sleeved clothing and hats, avoid bright colors, and refrain from using perfume. Seal and store leftover fruit peels and food properly to avoid attracting bees with their scent. If bees are hovering nearby, do not provoke or swat at them. Stay calm and move away quickly. If you spot a beehive, try to take a detour.
If you unfortunately encounter a swarm of bees chasing you, the Shei-Pa Headquarters advises protecting your head, neck, and hands with outerwear. For stings, use an ice pack to reduce swelling and pain. When removing bee stingers, avoid squeezing them directly with your fingers to prevent more venom from entering the body. Even if there are no obvious symptoms, you should still seek medical attention for a check-up.
The Shei-Pa Headquarters points out that as autumn arrives, temperatures gradually become cooler and the difference between day and night temperatures increases. Hikers should pay attention to keeping warm during the night and early morning, as daytime warmth can often lead to underestimating how cold it gets at night. In addition, the likelihood of typhoons remains high recently, so hikers should stay updated on weather forecasts and carefully assess how weather changes might affect hiking plans—especially for long-distance treks.
The Shei-Pa Headquarters also states that those entering national park ecological protection zones must apply for mountain and park entry permits as required, and should plan their itineraries, train physically, prepare gear and food supplies, and make emergency response plans before setting off. 1050908
(CNA)