Director Wei Te-Sheng, who is busy preparing for the development of the “Festival City” theme park, recently took time out to spend six days hiking the legendary Holy Ridge Line of the Snow Mountain Range with friends. They climbed perilous cliffs, and though he said the hike was exhausting and physically demanding, the sense of accomplishment afterward was immense. “We had no signal in the mountains these past few days, temporarily escaping reality and stress. For me, hiking was actually a way to relax and rest,” he shared. He didn’t see this trip as a challenge but rather enjoyed fulfilling a promise among friends, admitting that after the non-stop production of his film “The Taiwan Trilogy,” it will be hard to find time for such an unrestrained adventure again anytime soon.
Each member of Wei’s group carried a 10 to 20-kilogram backpack, trekking along the steep and uneven gravel ridgeline, climbing up and down over the mountains. Every step tested their mountaineering skills and physical limits, with one misstep potentially sending them tumbling into bottomless valleys. Wei recalled, “At one point on a downhill slope, I accidentally tripped and fell with my heavy backpack. The ridge was so narrow with steep drops on both sides. Luckily, I got caught and wedged between rocks and branches—otherwise, I would have gone over the edge.” He said that at the moment of falling, the thought “this is it” flashed through his mind, but before his “life flashing before the eyes” could continue, he “luckily” hit solid ground. His companions were so shocked they screamed, but fortunately, everything ended well.
Training in rock climbing before mountain hiking
The Snow Mountain Holy Ridge Line is a dream destination for many hikers. The temperature varies greatly in the mountains—from over ten degrees during the day to around two degrees late at night. This ridgeline connects the main peak of Snow Mountain and Mount Dabajian, with altitudes all above 3,100 meters. Only those with strong nerves should attempt it. The route features thrilling cliffs and diverse terrains, and is widely recognized as the most challenging, demanding, and spectacular hiking trail in Taiwan.
Wei Te-Sheng was joined by four entrepreneur friends and four guides. This journey had been planned since early last year, and required a certain level of fitness preparation beforehand. They practiced rock climbing on rainy days at Beitou’s Big Gun Rock and also hiked up Snow Mountain’s main peak to test their physical condition and stamina.
Conquering a demon-level challenge
One of the toughest parts of the trip was the nearly vertical terrain of the Sumida Cliff, which posed a formidable challenge. They had to climb upward, and “when I actually had the rope tied on and looked up, the slope was completely hooked. Thankfully, the terrain became more moderate toward the later part.” To tackle this dangerous climb, Wei and the others arrived at the campsite early the day before. The guide team conducted a site survey, discussed where to set up ropes, and led members through drills for various scenarios to ensure they were well-rested and prepared for the next day.