The disappearance of a female hiker on Mount Tai has once again drawn public attention to the issue of hikers entering mountains illegally. In fact, this phenomenon has persisted in recent years. According to the Mount Tai scenic area, last year alone they intercepted 18,600 hikers entering through unofficial routes. A large number of hiking groups, in pursuit of the thrill of wild adventures despite the risks, not only put themselves in danger but also place significant pressure on scenic area management.
Mount Tai sets up 80 checkpoints
But fails to stop hikers from entering illegally
On the 14th, reporters learned from the Mount Tai Scenic Area Management Committee that since 2010, with the rise of outdoor sports, the number of hikers entering through unofficial routes has increased significantly.
Liang Dongtian, head of the Agriculture and Forestry Bureau of the Mount Tai Scenic Area, said that in 2011, a total of 18,600 hikers entering through unofficial routes were intercepted, consuming a great deal of manpower and resources. The search and rescue operation this time costs over 40,000 yuan per day. Liang Dongtian explained that there are only four official routes to enter Mount Tai: Tianwai Village, Hongmen, Tianzhu Peak, and Taohuayu. Currently, Mount Tai has set up 80 checkpoints to intercept hikers entering through unofficial routes.
Zuo Yong, deputy head of the Tianzhu Peak Management Area, said: “At most, we can intercept over 800 people in a single weekend. The Tianzhu Peak scenic area has 87 staff members, and at its peak, 65 of them were out intercepting hikers.” Fu Xiao, responsible for ticket inspection near Tianwai Village, told reporters that in previous years there were also hikers, but not as many. “In the last two or three years, it’s become very common. At Tianwai Village, we usually intercept between 50 to 100 hikers on weekends.”
There are 7 towns and 67 administrative villages around Mount Tai, with many production trails and mountain access roads, which makes the interception work very difficult. In December 2010, two male hikers got lost on the back mountain after drinking and set a fire as a signal, which ended up causing a wildfire.
The so-called classic routes of hikers
Actually all carry risks
Zuo Yong, who participated in the search and rescue, told reporters that the disappearance of these hikers was also related to their unfamiliarity with each other. The temporary small group lacked organization and management, with members only communicating via QQ groups, and some didn’t even know each other’s phone numbers or real information.
Ma Yunfei, from the Publicity and Education Department of the Mount Tai Scenic Area Management Committee, said that many hikers gather online to form teams without knowing each other, and some don’t even have contact information. In case of danger, they know nothing about each other’s physical fitness, personality, etc., which is very risky.
A veteran hiker in Tai’an, known as “Comma,” who has been involved in outdoor activities for many years, told reporters that in the past two or three years, some people who are not familiar with wilderness life have joined hiking groups. A small number have a “self-mortification” tendency—they know their physical condition isn’t suitable for mountain climbing but still participate in activities to relieve mental stress. They are simply not suited for dangerous outdoor sports.
Seven classic Mount Tai hiking routes circulated online include five in the Tianzhu Peak scenic area. Zuo Yong said these five routes all have significant safety hazards. “These sections have no handrails or steps, making it easy for hikers without professional mountaineering training to get injured. Mountain communication signals are poor, and it’s hard to contact the outside world if something goes wrong. The mountain weather is unpredictable, with frequent rain and snow making the paths extremely slippery.”
Regulation of hikers’ outdoor activities
Faces regulatory gaps
Staff at the Mount Tai Scenic Area explained that some hikers bring portable stoves and other fire sources up the mountain, creating pressure on fire prevention. Some hikers litter indiscriminately, and sometimes markings painted by outdoor organizations can be seen on rocks, damaging the natural landscape.
Intercepting hikers entering through unofficial routes is very difficult. Zuo Yong said that last weekend at the Tianjingwan checkpoint, they intercepted some hikers, who then detoured via the mountain ridges on either side. With hikers visible all over the slopes, staff were afraid of accidents and didn’t dare chase them. “We have no choice. For those we do stop, we can only persuade them to turn back—we can’t take compulsory measures. But most of them find another way and continue up the mountain after being advised to turn back.” Zuo Yong sounded helpless. “Next, the scenic area plans to install wire fences on unofficial entry routes, but considering that many trails are also production pathways for villagers, feasibility studies will be needed before installation.”
Reporters learned that currently there are no clear sanctions against hikers entering through unofficial routes. Zuo Yong said that legal constraints and oversight targeting outdoor activity organizations are still lacking, making it impossible to solve the problem fundamentally.
Recent incidents involving hikers on Mount Tai
1. On October 15, 2010, hiker Liu and companions were climbing Mount Tai. On the way down, Liu slipped and fell, getting injured. Police officers and firefighters from the Mount Tai Fire Brigade collectively searched mountain paths for over two hours, located the injured hiker, and carried him down to the cable car station on a stretcher.
2. Around 3 pm on September 11, 2011, Jinan hiker Ms. Yin accidentally lost her footing while descending in the Tianzhu Peak scenic area of Mount Tai, falling over 20 meters off a cliff and suffering multiple fractures. After a 12-hour rescue operation in the rain by police, firefighters, and medical personnel, the injured were finally rescued from the mountain at 5 am on the 12th.
3. On October 22, 2011, a college student from Jinan and classmates were playing near Tianjingwan by Tianlong Reservoir when the student accidentally fell from the top of a 20-meter-high small waterfall and later died despite rescue efforts.
Experts suggest strengthening management
Wang Leiting, a professor at Tai’an University and tourism expert, stated that Mount Tai is vast, making it difficult to completely prevent hikers from entering through unofficial routes. However, increased publicity and education on the risks could encourage more self-discipline among hikers. Relevant departments should strengthen management of outdoor activity groups and establish clear regulations for their activities. Many hikers connect via the internet, so authorities could monitor and advise them before their trips. Scenic area managers should print more “information sheets” prohibiting unofficial entries and increase awareness campaigns.