Bilu and Yangtou Mountain, Taroko Gorge National Park

Walking through a frost covered forest in Taroko Gorge National Park

Mount Bilu and Yangtou are located near the top of Taroko Gorge National Park.  Both peaks are above 3000m and can be done as individual days hikes, a mad single day traverse or a 2-3 day traverse with camping.

Day 1

It’s a long drive from Taipei to Dayuling for the start of the hike.  With the restrictions on the Suhua Highway, we had to come via Lishan and it took almost 6 hours to get there.  The trailhead starts next to the Dayuling Tunnel which is the intersection for Lishan, Hehuanshan and Taroko Gorge.

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Beidawu – 北大武山

Sunset near the Kuaigu Cabin

Having failed to get a permit in the Yushan National Park because of the snow season, we headed a little further south to Pingdong County to hike Beidawushan which is Taiwan’s southern most Baiyue (top one hundred mountain). In the past this was a reasonable 2 day hike, but a large landslide caused my Typhon Morakot means the trailhead is much lower and further back making it a much tougher walk. We did it in 2 days, but if you’ve got the time, I think 3 days would be more enjoyable.

Although it’s one of the smaller Baiyue (3092m), Beidawu is a mammoth rock that rises sharply from the ground. The strip of land that it lies on is only 80km from the west coast to the east coast and on fine days you can see both (or so I hear!)

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Some Upcoming Hikes

We’ve got two open hikes planned for February.  The first is to Snow Mountain on the 10th-12th and the second is to Dabajianshan on the 25th-27th.  February 27/28th are both holidays and so we’ve got a 4 day weekend then.

Snow Mountain is Taiwan’s second highest peak and a great climb.  Some amazing scenery!

Snow Mountain Facebook Event

Dabajianshan is probably Taiwan’s most distinctive mountain.  Look on the back of a $500NT note, that’s the one!  It’s a great 3 day hike to this huge mountain and back.

Dabajianshan Facebook Event

If you’re interested in joining us on either hike or on some gentler day trips around Taipei, then join the facebook group, Taiwan Adventures – Group Hikes.

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Group Hike to Snow Mountain

Snow Mountain, Taiwan

Next 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 and Songluo Lake and this will be our first group trip to the Sheipa National Park.  If you’re interesting in joining us, please sign up at our facebook page.

The plan is to leave Taipei on Friday 25th November at 7pm and return on Sunday 27th November 7pm.  The trip involves spending 2 nights in cabins on the mountainside.  Total cost for the trip is $4500NT and this includes transport, permits, insurance, food and guiding.  The trip is limited to 10 people so please sign up ASAP!

Itinerary

Friday – Meet 7pm, drive to Wuling Farm and then hike at night for an hour to arrive at the Qika Cabin.

Saturday – Up around 8am, breakfast and then hike up to the 369 Cabin passing by Snow Mountain’s East Peak. Sleep at the cabin.

Sunday – Up sharp (2/3am) and head to the main peak for sunrise. Hike back down to Wuling Farm and then drive back to Taipei. We expect to be back around 7pm.

Equipment

You will need;

– At least a 40L backpack
– Pack cover
– Sturdy hiking shoes or boots (Sneakers won’t cut it on this one)
– Fleece
– Raincoat
– Warm pants
– 3 pairs of socks
– Warm hat
– Gloves
– Sleeping bag (winter bag – it will be very cold  at night, possibly below zero)
– Rain gear
– 2L of water
– Flashlight (preferably a headlamp)
– Toiletries and personal items
– Sunscreen

If you have trouble getting anything, let us know and we’ll see if we can help you out. We’ll provide all the food with the exception of lunch on Saturday.

Notes

It’s important to note that although hiking Snow Mountain doesn’t involve any technical climbing, any high mountain hike where you are carrying your own gear is tough.  Please consider your fitness and ability before signing up.

We will require a deposit of $1000NT from anyone who wishes to come.  This is non-refundable unless we are forced to cancel because of the weather.

We must receive the deposit before 25th October otherwise it will be too late to apply for the permit.

The view from the East Peak as the sun comes up

Almost at the peak

Looking towards the Central Mountain Range

The Black Forest in winter

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Nenggao Historic Trail 2

A view of Nenggao Mountain on the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan

Neil and I revisited the Nenggao Historic Trail this weekend taking a group of 7 people with us.  This was a first go at guiding people on an over-nighter and we were lucky enough to have great company, weather and some fabulous views near the top of the Cilai South Peak.  It was a great weekend out away from the cities and into nature.

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The Holy Ridge – 聖稜線

The Holy Ridge is a razor thin ridge of mountains in the Sheipa National Park that runs from north to south connecting Snow Mountain to Dabajianshan.  This was definitely the toughest hike any of us have done, made all the more difficult given the poor weather we encountered on the most hardest day.

The Holy Ridge

A section of the ridge that we traversed

There are several routes that can be taken when doing the Holy Ridge, Barking Deer have some info here.  We chose to do the ‘O’ route in reverse purely because this was the only way we could get permit!

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Snow Mountain, Taiwan (winter 2011)

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

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The Sixiu, Taiwan

The Sixiu or ‘four shows’ are located at the northern end of Wuling Farm and are made up of four mountains, Taoshan, Kelayeshan, Chiyoushan and Pintianshan.  This group of mountains aren’t as famous as the neighbouring Snow Mountain or Dabajianshan which is great for getting away from the crowds and actually getting a weekend permit!

A lone Chinese Hemlock stands out on the trail

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Jialuohu 2, Yilan County – 加羅湖

I recently took another trip to the remote mountain lake, Jialuohu 加羅湖 with Neil again.  This was our second trip here and both times have been fantastic.  Won’t write too much about the actual hike.  Anyone looking for details can find them on my original post – Jialuohu

Here’s a few photos from the trip. 

More photos from Neil here.

Jialuohu early morning

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Dabajianshan, Hsinchu County – 大霸尖山

Dabajianshan 大霸尖山 is one of the most distinctive peaks in the whole of Taiwan.  It’s barrel-like shape thrusts upwards, looking impossible to climb. It has fascinated people for centuries and even the local aboriginal tribe, the Attyal, believe that Daba is a holy mountain.

Heading back towards Dabajianshan

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