Among outdoor adventures in Taiwan, mountaineering is the most popular. Rock climbing is a niche activity, but the adventures Zhang Xingwen, Technical Director of Edge Adventure, loves are even more niche – including tree climbing, ice climbing, and canyoneering (creek descent). Her “exceptional” skills and rich adventure experiences are truly astounding.

Zhang jokingly refers to herself as a “returned turtle” (overseas returnee), having studied abroad in Canada where she earned a professional adventure license. She is almost the only expert in Taiwan with such a professional certification. She introduced tree climbing and creek descent, which originated in Europe, to Taiwan – a rare feat. The licenses she holds include mountain guide, rock climbing, wilderness, rope rescue, and skiing, among many others.

Zhang specializes in mountaineering techniques and has been involved in broad mountain activities for 14 years, from intermediate mountain exploration training and rock climbing to technical climbs, ice climbing, creek descent, high-altitude expeditions, and more.

Years ago, she experienced the tragedy of two friends encountering mountaineering accidents – one junior classmate passed away, which deeply saddened her. While working as a research assistant in the Department of Agricultural Production at Pingtung University of Science and Technology, she also got lost while surveying animal trails.

Possibly influenced by these experiences, she felt her mountain rescue skills were inadequate. Additionally, after being rejected from the first Everest 7 Summits Expedition Team selection in 2006, and realizing the lack of advanced training and education in Taiwan, she became even more determined to go abroad to enhance her expertise. Later, with the help of a benefactor, she went to Canada for further studies.

In the autumn of 2008, she enrolled at Thompson Rivers University in Canada to pursue a two-year Adventure Guide Diploma. It is one of only two schools in the world that offers a degree within the education system and trains professional guides. She majored in broad mountain adventure activities and minored in water and snow adventure activities, dedicating herself to mountain rescue training. She earned her diploma in 2010. With even deeper ambitions, she aimed to become the first Chinese person to obtain an international mountain guide license before turning 40.

In 2008, during the financial crisis, friends who had supported her were hit hard and could no longer help. At one point, Zhang considered returning to Taiwan. However, Taiwanese students in Canada learned about her situation and thought it would be a shame for her to give up halfway. They decided to support her, offering her a place to sleep on their living room sofa. For over a year, Zhang became an “overseas couchsurfer.”

Just when the selection for Taiwan’s second-generation expedition team to tackle 8,000-meter peaks was taking place, Zhang participated and was selected. By chance, she returned to Taiwan to develop her career. However, a desk job didn’t suit her personality, and her expertise as a well-rounded mountaineer – rare in Taiwan – led her to start her own business by founding Edge Adventure.

Past climbing students who have trained with Zhang all love to request her as their guide. She can use scientific knowledge to assess if any participants are suffering from altitude sickness. In her climbing activities, safety always comes first – reaching the summit is secondary. With her, the level of safety significantly increases.

Zhang’s mountaineering journey began in her junior year at Pingtung University of Science and Technology in 2000. As a child, she was a “Little Wolf” in the Scouts and loved the outdoors. She initially got into mountaineering to escape reality, relax, and relieve stress. When she was three years old, she was in a car accident that caused facial nerve paralysis on one side, slightly skewing her mouth. As a child, she was often teased, leading to deep feelings of inferiority and introversion.

After focusing on mountaineering, her life took a major turn, and she became more confident. She says, “This is what the mountains teach you.” Everyone has different insights when facing the mountains. Politicians love to challenge themselves by reaching the summit of Yushan, “to look down upon the world from Yushan.” She laughs and says maybe that’s the reason why.

◆Expert Tips – Teaching Adventure Techniques, Letting Outdoor Enthusiasts Learn by Doing

Within just over a year of starting her business, Zhang’s approach differs significantly from other operators in Taiwan – it’s truly unique.

The Edge Adventure founded by Zhang introduces overseas adventure companies’ emphasis on safety and environmental conservation concepts to Taiwan, striving to improve Taiwan’s mountaineering techniques, outdoor education, activity safety, and environmental protection. “Learning by doing” is Edge Adventure’s biggest operational highlight, which is quite rare in Taiwan. Just by joining one of her trips, you’ll learn nearly all the basics of mountaineering.

Edge Adventure mainly uses the internet for marketing and targets a young clientele. However, there is also a special group of civil servants who are avid mountaineers and sought her out – an unusual demographic.

In terms of operations, Edge Adventure adopts a small-group strategy of 6 to 8 people. Even though the fees are higher, the guides treat clients like friends, showcasing professionalism and enthusiasm throughout the process. In addition to teaching climbing techniques, they also introduce local culture, ancient trails, flora and fauna, and share mountain experiences. Rather than being commercial guides, they have built a loyal customer base.

Edge Adventure is currently one of the few companies in Taiwan capable of organizing broad mountain activities, combining leadership with instruction. They frequently invite teachers from the United States and Canada to conduct international classes in Taiwan, offering internationally certified programs so that those interested in mountain sports can get certified locally without spending a fortune to train or study abroad.

◆Expert’s Motto

Climbing is an attitude toward life.

Whether facing the harsh challenges of climbing or the unknowns of life, maintaining your original intention is key to enjoying the journey of pursuing your dreams.

◆Expert Profile

Current Position: Technical Director of Edge Adventure

Education: Bachelor’s in Agricultural Production from Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Adventure Guide Diploma from Thompson Rivers University in Canada

Master’s in Leisure Industry Management from National Taiwan Sport University

Experience: Lecturer for university mountaineering workshops,

Summit of Yuzhu Peak in Qinghai,

Ice climbing in Shuangqiaogou, Sichuan; ice climbing in Seoraksan, South Korea,

Everest 8,000-meter Peak Expedition Team

Summiting Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America,

Technical Team Leader of the Mountain Association,

Member of the Sports Administration’s Mountain Area Guide Certification Committee