Asia Travel’s "49 Days in the Clouds" is a mountain exploration journey centered around Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range. Host Liao Keyi ventures into Yilan’s hidden gem, "Kalo Lake," where he experiences lakeside camping under the starry sky surrounded by mountains. He also conquers two of Taiwan’s "Hundred Peaks" – "Shenmazhen Mountain" and "Nanhu North Mountain." One of the most perilous sections is the cliffside "Five Rock Peaks," but their relentless climbing rewards them with breathtaking views of the valley.
Kalo Lake is often shrouded in misty veils, earning it the nickname "Shy Maiden." Liao Keyi and his team set off from Siji Forest Road to Kalo Lake, a normal trek taking about six hours. After a simple meal by the Kanafu River, they continued uphill, where the path grew increasingly rugged. Tree roots intertwined around the steps, and the slippery roots added to the difficulty—Liao Keyi even nearly slipped. After much effort, they finally reached the Giant Tree Trailhead.
At this point, Liao Keyi revealed that the cameraman was initially reluctant to film at Kalo Lake because the terrain from the Giant Tree Trailhead becomes steep and muddy, not only increasing the climbing difficulty but also making filming harder. To cope, he used "gaiters" to keep his shoes dry and prevent insects from crawling into his pants—a common hiking gear, though some opt for rain boots instead.
As they neared Kalo Lake, colorful tents came into view, followed by the mirror-like lake surface. Touched, Liao Keyi said, "This view makes all the previous effort worthwhile!" The team set up tents for the night, and he humorously described their spot as "Lakeside First-Row Luxury Villas." After settling in, they gathered at nature’s "fine-dining restaurant" at 2,200 meters above sea level for a campsite cookout, enjoying their meal with the lake view—a truly special experience.
After finishing the Kalo Lake leg, Liao Keyi continued his Central Mountain Range adventure, conquering the two "Hundred Peaks"—Shenmazhen Mountain and Nanhu North Mountain. The most treacherous and dangerous section, "Five Rock Peaks," is known as the "Death Ridge" due to its perilous terrain. He carefully navigated the narrow stone paths, fearing a misstep could send him tumbling down the endless cliffs. The team shouted encouragement to each other, boosting morale to complete this challenging mountain expedition. More highlights air on Asia Travel at 9 PM on Saturday, January 11.
(China Times)