Not long ago, several university students in physical education attempted to summit Yushan (Jade Mountain) in snowy conditions. Despite adverse weather, they pushed to reach the peak, but unfortunately, a student surnamed Wu lost his footing and fell off a cliff, resulting in his death. Although the student had received training for snow mountain climbing and the exact cause of the fall remains unclear, such a tragic incident is viewed by mountaineering experts as taking an excessive risk and underestimating the power of nature.

Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je, who previously completed the highly challenging feat of cycling from Taipei to Kaohsiung in one day, took on another extreme test last week — what many consider the ultimate cycling challenge in Taiwan: the One-Day Twin Capes ride. He cycled from Fugui Cape Lighthouse at the northern tip to Eluanbi Lighthouse at the southern end in approximately 27 hours, covering over 500 kilometers of continuous pedaling.

While Mayor Ko’s spirit of self-challenge is admirable, many sports and medical experts deem the act inadvisable, as it clearly exceeds the limits of what an average person can endure, and they caution against casual imitation.

Any form of self-challenge, especially those involving life safety, should be backed by thorough preparation. This includes not only training and equipment, but also a solid grasp of your own physical capabilities and a good understanding of the surrounding environment. Even the most meticulous preparations can’t guarantee against accidents, so the ability to assess and respond to unexpected situations must also be part of your readiness.

It’s common to see beginners falter due to inadequate training or gear, while veterans often stumble because of overconfidence or underestimating their environment — misjudging the situation or acting rashly, which can all lead to irreversible regrets.

The sense of achievement from challenging limits comes from setting, achieving, and surpassing personal goals — a fulfillment of the psychological need for self-actualization. In truth, it requires little external praise and certainly shouldn’t become a burden or cause trouble for others.

Challenging limits certainly demands courage and a competitive spirit, but it must be done step by step and within one’s capabilities. Overreaching only leads to unnecessary risks. As a mountaineering friend of mine often says: “Climbing high mountains relies not just on perseverance, but also on wisdom. In addition to thorough preparation beforehand, you must also know when to retreat and return to camp before nightfall.” Only under the premise of safety do such challenges hold true meaning and value. (Author is Chairman of Kang Hsuan Cultural and Educational Group)