A Taipei-based mountaineer climbing the southern section two of the Central Mountain Range experienced altitude sickness at the Lulu Mountain Hut. Rescue personnel are approaching from three routes—Taitung, Hualien, and Kaohsiung—and are expected to take at least two days to arrive.
The National Fire Agency received a rescue report around 9 a.m. today stating that a 37-year-old male climber surnamed Hsu, who was part of a group ascending the southern section two of the Central Mountain Range, had developed altitude sickness and required immediate rescue.
Since the incident occurred in the middle section of the southern range, right at the junction between Hualien and Kaohsiung, no matter whether approaching from Nantou, Kaohsiung, Hualien, or Taitung, it would take at least two days of trekking. The National Fire Agency decided to dispatch rescuers from Taitung’s Xiangyang area as the starting point.
The Huan Shan Police Brigade of Taitung County Police Bureau stated that the rescue team is expected to meet with firefighters from Kaohsiung at Xiangyang Recreation Area around 2 p.m.; however, the Xiangyang section of the South Cross-Island Highway has been experiencing continuous rockfalls and landslides, requiring assistance from highway maintenance personnel under the Directorate General of Highways to clear the road.
According to data reported to the National Fire Agency, 19 climbers from Taipei entered the mountains via Taitung’s Xiangyang on the 12th, hiking along the southern section two of the Central Mountain Range, and had planned to descend via Nantou on the 19th. Currently, all 19 individuals are stranded at the Lulu Mountain Hut. 1030615
(CNA)