Challenging the Guinness World Record: 6,136 People Conquer Xiong Mountain Together

Taiwan’s outdoor recreation giant “Outopia” held a two-day event to challenge the Guinness World Record for the most people climbing a “Little Hundred Mountains” peak simultaneously. The activity took place across ten hiking routes in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. One of the record-eligible routes, the Kaohsiung “Shoushan route,” had 401 participants complete it, while another non-record-supporting cheer route attracted nearly 5,000 participants, creating an impressive scene.

Outopia stated that the currently officially certified Guinness World Record for the most people climbing a Little Hundred Mountains peak together is 600 in the UK, and the Philippines once recorded 5,923 participants, though that is still under application. This time, Outopia will apply for a new Guinness Record with 6,136 participants, marking a commemoration for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China.

Outopia planned ten Guinness hiking routes across northern, central, and southern Taiwan, with the Kaohsiung “Shoushan route” being one of them. Yesterday at 8:30 AM, over 400 participants set off from Neiwei Elementary School in Gushan District, Kaohsiung, beginning their ascent from the Longquan Temple trailhead of Shoushan toward the mountaintop destination known as “Panrong.”

This Shoushan route features wooden boardwalks, making the hike comfortable and pleasant. The mountain’s trees and flowers were washed even greener and more delightful by the light rain. Along the way, there are coral reef rock formations, a variety of tree species to admire, and the company of wild Formosan macaques. The light rain didn’t dampen the enjoyment of a “forest bath.” The 7-kilometer route took approximately two hours to complete.

Another cheer route started simultaneously from the Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung, led by distinguished guests including Kaohsiung City Bureau of Education Director Tsai Ching-hua and Outopia Chairman Cheng Kun.

The “Cheer Route” ran from the zoo to Shoushan Junior High School, spanning a total of 3 kilometers. With over 5,000 participants registered, the scene was lively. Although this route was not part of the Guinness Record application, everyone braved the weather to walk for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China and for their health.