Snow Mountain, Taiwan (winter 2011)

January 12, 2011 by Stu

Returned to Snow Mountain this weekend in the hope of seeing some snow. There wasn’t as much as last year, but the trail through the black forest and up the cirque to the peak had a fair amount as well as a lot of ice. My new 12-point crampons served me well and there was no problem in getting the top to enjoy some fabulous views, even if it was a little chilly!

I’m just going to post of pics of the trip here. Information about doing this hike can be found on my original Snow Mountain post. Also Barking Deer can help with organising permits/guided trips.

Sunrise from the East Peak of Snow Mountain was exceptioanlly beautiful

Neil shooting Nanhudashan and Zhongyangshan from the East Peak

The sun finally beginnings to light up Snow Mountain and we were incredibly grateful for the warmth it brough!

Ice-covered juniper

This cliff always has icicles bigger than people during the winter

Rays of sunlight burst through into the Black Forest

Colourful leaves poking through the snow near the peak of Snow Mountain

The trail going up the cirque to the peak... almost there!

The snow makes it harder going

A panorama from the top of Snow Mountain, looking down on the cirque

The crampons made coming down an absolute breeze, even if they did put holes in my trousers and boots!

Snow/ice man at the 369 Cabin

Neil also has some awesome photos on his site

More photos on my flickr account.

If you’re interested in hiking Snow Mountain, contact us at Taiwan Adventures.

30 Responses

on January 12, 2011 at 9:31 am | Reply Tweets that mention Snow Mountain 3 « Hiking Taiwan -- Topsy.com

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by David Reid and Stuart Dawson. Stuart Dawson said: Snow Mountain 3: http://t.co/iMPh4B9 […]
on January 12, 2011 at 11:15 am | Reply Athena

These are breath-taking pictures. Great Great Great Great Great job!!!!!
- on January 12, 2011 at 12:59 pm | Reply Stu
  
  Thanks!
on January 12, 2011 at 7:34 pm | Reply Neil Wade

Awesome Stu! You got some great ones!
on January 13, 2011 at 7:18 pm | Reply Arthur

The 7th is cool!)
- on January 16, 2011 at 11:04 pm | Reply Stu
  
  Thank you!
on January 16, 2011 at 12:03 am | Reply Virtual Connections with China and Taiwan | LittlePo Adventures: Active Journeys, True Connections

[…] is in the subtropical/tropical climate zone but its alpine peaks get snow in winter time. via Hiking Taiwan. Enjoy this article? Share it:Tweet Blog Roll, China, Climbing, Cultures, Food, Outdoors, […]
on January 17, 2011 at 8:08 am | Reply Taiwan blog links — 17 January 2011 - David on Formosa

[…] Hiking on Snow Mountain by Neil Wade and Stu Dawson. […]
on January 19, 2011 at 10:37 pm | Reply Trevor

first – inspiring as always! I saw the snow on the mountains as I biked to work this week and I thoght how cool it would be to be up there…..

second – what camera do you use? I just picked up a new one but ill keep the name a secret as it is proving to be a 20 000NT sub-par boat anchor. just curious about yours…

third – crampons, I believe, is french for “pant eater”. I may be wrong on the specific etymology of that, but it seems right, eh?
- on January 20, 2011 at 9:28 am | Reply Stu
  
  Hi Trevor,
  
  Thanks! My camera is a Nikon D40, it’s a fairly out of date model and I’ve been thinking about buying a newer one for a while. The Nikon 3100 looks pretty good and it shoots video as well, just need to save some money…….
  
  I hadn’t heard that about crampons but it certainly makes sense judging by the holes they left in my gaitors, pants and boots!
  
  Stu
on January 23, 2011 at 1:51 am | Reply Rei

Wow, cool… We want to go there with my friends to have experience snow in taiwan, but Im asking if still have snow this coming 1st day of February.
- on January 29, 2011 at 10:55 am | Reply Stu
  
  It’s quite likely
on January 27, 2011 at 9:29 am | Reply Rose

Is there still snow on 1st week of febuary this year? pls. reply because we will go there..we don’t have an idea yet.. thanks..
- on January 29, 2011 at 10:54 am | Reply Stu
  
  I would imagine there’s a good chance of snow.
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on July 31, 2011 at 10:53 pm | Reply Arjan P.

Dear member!

Nice to read your website. Is there any organization at the moment organizing mountain trekking weekends? I have been doing this with Freshtreks for years, but since last year they are not excisting anymore…. Hope you have some idea for me!

Arjan
- on August 1, 2011 at 1:11 am | Reply Stu
  
  Hi Arjan,
  
  We’re currently setting up a guiding service. We’ll be running some group hikes over the coming months if you’re interested in joining us.
  
  http://www.facebook.com/groups/TaiwanAdventures/?ap=1
  
  Stu
on September 27, 2011 at 1:35 pm | Reply soo yin fung

Dear Stu,

I have never hiked with crampons. Would I need to if I hike in End nov this year? What is the cost for 2 persons?

yin fung regards
- on September 28, 2011 at 9:51 am | Reply Stu
  
  Hi
  
  Chances are you won’t need them but if you want to get some, you can get 6 pointers for around $1000 or 12 pointers for $2400 from Metroasis near the main station.
  
  Stu
on September 28, 2011 at 9:55 am | Reply Trevor

There are multiple styles/qualities of crampons available. If you are in Taipei (?) then perhaps go to Metro Oasis and see the two styles they have. I think 1500NT would be a base cost for a pair.

Remember that these are tools for ICE and hard snow, not fluffy fresh powder. They are quite useful for walking along ridges and cliff trails as are so common here in Taiwan, but if you are escaping to lower elevations then they may not be required. That said….lower elevations and snow dont really go together in Taiwan!!

whatever you do…remember that when you walk with crampons, walk bow-legged. Like you just got off a horse. Otherwise, say goodbye to your pants.
on October 14, 2011 at 2:29 pm | Reply Group Hike to Snow Mountain « Hiking Taiwan

[…] month Taiwan Adventures are organising a group hike to Snow Mountain, Taiwan’s second highest mountain. We’ve already ran trips to Nenggao, Jialuo Lake […]
on October 25, 2011 at 4:42 pm | Reply Sylvianne Poncelet

Hi,
I will be in Taiwan on 3rd dec, I d love to hike/trek the mountains there , I leave on 12th , any chance to join a group of hikers during that period? Tx to keep me posted. Sylvainne from Belgium.
- on October 26, 2011 at 12:34 pm | Reply Stu
  
  Hi Sylvainne,
  
  We haven’t got any plans for a hike then, but if one comes up, i’ll let you know
  
  Thanks
  
  Stu
on December 6, 2011 at 12:14 pm | Reply Snow Mountain 雪山 – Dec, 2011 « Neil Wade's Photography Blog

[…] If you’re interested in going there yourself, or you want to go hiking anywhere in Taiwan, join our group hikes page on Facebook, or contact us through the website. If you want to read more, here is my last report and two from Stu over at Hiking Taiwan. […]
on December 29, 2011 at 1:13 am | Reply adventureh

Yikes!! crampons! I plan to hike in April
- on December 29, 2011 at 8:58 am | Reply Stu
  
  You might need some then. I was up the Holy Ridge (next to Snow Mountain) last year in April and we needed them. 6 pointers will probably do
  - on December 29, 2011 at 10:09 am adventureh
    
    Thanks Stu for your quick reply and inputs from this blog. I will update my checklist now and look for the local store when my friends and I land Taipei. It will be too heavy and expensive from another country. Btw, you have nice photos
  - on December 30, 2011 at 9:05 am Stu
    
    6 point crampons really don’t weigh very much, maybe 600g or so
  - on December 29, 2011 at 2:25 pm adventureh
    
    or better yet, not climb Snow Mt anymore.. don’t like hiking heavy winter equipment…
  - on December 30, 2011 at 9:08 pm adventureh
    
    thanks! booked the flight to Snow Mt this coming wk1 of April 🙂