The beauty of Taiwan’s Sacred Ridge Line goes global. Next year (2020) is the “Year of Spine Mountain Range Tourism,” aiming to showcase Taiwan’s diverse mountain landscapes. Discovery host Ryan Pyle visited the challenging route of the “Sacred Ridge Line” between Mount Dabajian and Mount Snow, recognized as the most difficult, demanding, and stunning route in Taiwan. He trekked along the over 3,000-meter ridge for seven days. Discovery Channel’s "Ryan Pyle’s Asian Adventure" will take you through the dramatic terrain on Monday, December 23 at 10 PM.
Japanese mountaineer Numata Tetsutaro described this ridge line in his article “Investigation and Attempt on Climbing Mount Dabajian”: “...To traverse this rocky ridge, one needs preparation equivalent to the first ascent of Mount Dabajian... Oh, this sacred ridge, who can truly complete the traverse from Mount Dabajian to Mount Snow, wear the crown of victory, and recount the truth and beauty of the first traverse...”.
This epic mountaineering journey demands a strong heart, with breathtaking cliffs along the way. This high-altitude route from Mount Dabajian to the Mount Snow range features incredibly diverse terrain, and is recognized as the most difficult, demanding, and stunning route in Taiwan. Following Ryan Pyle’s steps, audiences across Asia will witness the most awe-inspiring beauty of Taiwan’s high mountains, bringing Taiwanese mountain tourism to the world stage.
Taiwan is located at a tectonic plate boundary, a young and mountainous island where nearly 80% of the land is mountainous. With over 2,300 peaks, including 269 that rise above 3,000 meters, Taiwan’s diverse topography not only creates unparalleled scenery but also nurtures countless endemic flora and fauna, making it one of the island’s most competitive tourism assets.
According to estimates from Taiwan’s National Health Bureau, there are about 5 million people
On his first visit to Taiwan, Bryce Whitwam chose the highly iconic "Holy Ridge Line." This mountain ridge connects the main peak of Snow Mountain in the Snow Mountain Range and Mount Qilai, with altitudes all above 3,000 meters. The rugged terrain makes it a very difficult hiking route.
Along the way, hikers must face the unpredictable challenges of high-altitude weather—one moment enduring bone-chilling winds and thick fog with visibility as low as 30 feet, the next rappelling down sheer cliffs and navigating steep, uneven gravel ridges while ascending and descending over mountains. Every step tests the limits of mountaineering skills and physical endurance, with the constant fear of accidentally falling into bottomless valleys. After seven days and six nights of extreme challenges and overcoming numerous obstacles, the team finally reached the main peak to enjoy the breathtakingly magnificent scenery unique to Snow Mountain.