Typhoon Dujuan hit on the 28th, and 17 people from three groups — including alumni, teachers, and members of the public from Yilan University — who had applied to enter the Dabajian North Ridge and had not yet descended, were trapped in the Shenmu (Sacred Tree) Group area of Zhenxibao, Jianshi Township, due to worsening wind and rain on the afternoon of the 28th. Police, firefighters, and volunteer mountain rescuers from Hsinchu County advanced into the mountains yesterday, located the 17 hikers, helped them cross a river, and all individuals were in good condition. By the evening of the same day, all had safely descended the mountain.
The Hsinchu County Police Bureau stated that the Hengshan Police Precinct received a report at 2:30 p.m. the day before yesterday from a hiker surnamed Huang, saying that three groups totaling 17 people had been climbing the Dabajian North Ridge. They had planned to descend the afternoon before yesterday, but due to increased rainfall in the mountains, the upstream section of the Taigang River in Zhenxibao swelled rapidly, leaving the 17 people trapped at various points in the Shenmu Group area, approximately 1.5 kilometers from the trailhead, awaiting rescue.
At 10 minutes past that time, Youshipin, chief of the Taigang Police Office of the Hengshan Police Precinct, led police officer Ye Huazhen, along with 11 personnel from the fire department and mountain volunteer officers, forming a rescue team that set off from the Taigang Tribe in Xiuluan Village. They carried all necessary rescue equipment and supplies up the mountain.
However, the Zhulin 60 Route to the Zhenxibao Industrial Road was heavily damaged, and vehicles became stuck at the 4-kilometer mark of the Zhenxibao Industrial Road due to a landslide, forcing the rescue team to proceed on foot via the Zhenxibao Sacred Tree Group parking lot to reach the trailhead.
Police stated that officers and mountain volunteer rescuers used machetes to clear a path along the trail for about 1 kilometer before reaching the river valley. There, they found the hikers safe and sound, but due to the fierce wind, heavy rain, and fast-flowing water, coupled with the approaching darkness, the rescue became difficult. They instructed the hiking group to first find a safe spot near the river valley to set up camp.
The three hiking teams consisted of 8, 5, and 4 members respectively. The night before last, they split into three groups and camped at the first and second river valleys. Yesterday morning, the rescue team risked crossing the river and successively made contact with the three groups. All members were in good health. After being assisted across the river by rescuers, they slowly walked back to the trailhead. By the evening of the same day, all had safely returned home and repeatedly expressed their gratitude to the hardworking police, firefighters, and rescue personnel.
According to the fire department’s investigation, these three hiking teams had applied to enter the mountains on the 26th and planned to descend on the 28th. Their three-day itinerary was to travel from Zhenxibao to Mayangshan Pre-Camp, Mayang Pond Camp, Zhongba, Daba, and then return along the same route. Unexpectedly, at around 2 p.m. on the 28th, while they were just 1.5 kilometers away from the trailhead, they encountered the strong winds and heavy rains of Typhoon Dujuan and became trapped.