Wang Bili believes that the key factor in high-altitude mountain travel in Taiwan is the weather. On good weather days, hiking Shimen Mountain feels like strolling in a park, but on bad weather days, even the short 750-meter climb can be extremely tough.

High altitudes have lower oxygen levels, and Shimen Mountain has less than 70% of the oxygen found at sea level. Hiking too fast can leave you breathless. Familiarizing yourself with your body’s reactions and the feeling of air pressure at high altitudes will make planning future high-mountain trips much easier. Therefore, Wang Bili suggests that travelers hike Shimen Mountain regardless of the weather—this way, you’ll understand the kinds of climate conditions you might encounter in the mountains.

■Weather Dictates the Difficulty of Climbing

In fact, Wang Bili’s first mountain climbing experience was also “screwed” by the weather. At the time, he went to hike Qilai Mountain at the urging of his colleagues. He wore his coolest windproof and waterproof jacket, brought trekking poles, and marched into the mountains thinking he was fully prepared—only to nearly freeze in a sudden downpour.

He hadn’t brought rain pants or gaiters, and his cold, wet lower half left him almost broken. Add to that improper use of his leg muscles, which led to a pulled ligament. That initial setback taught him that preparing for a mountain hike isn’t just about reading magazines and buying gear—Taiwan’s rainy climate demands extra consideration.

However, that first unhappy experience didn’t dampen Wang Bili’s enthusiasm for venturing into the mountains. Just a week after the setback, he went to hike Hehuan Five Peaks. He laughed and said, “Whether the weather is good or bad, the high mountains are an environment that takes you away from reality. Once you’ve seen them, you’ll be hooked. Sunny days have their clarity, rainy days have their poetry, and snowy days have their beauty—it’s a world completely different from everyday life.”

■The Mountain Trail Is More Captivating Than the Summit

For Wang Bili, getting close to the high mountains is another style of travel, not about conquering peaks. So he doesn’t set the goal of summiting Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks. What matters to him is the scenery along the mountain trails, not whether he reaches the top. He says, “If you’re only climbing to reach the summit, the whole journey becomes like a forced march—you rush right through it. What’s the point? Some mountain trails are actually more captivating than the summit.”

Additionally, he reminds travelers that when the weather looks bad, retreating is also a form of courage. The pressure to push for the summit can cause people to underestimate their own abilities and forget the unfathomable power of nature.