Paiyun and other notes.

Some end of year notes on hiking in Taiwan.

Paiyun Lodge.

There is progress being made in the rebuilding/renovating of Paiyun Lodge. Most people still predict it will be completed and reopened by May or June 2011.This I don’t believe, my best guess is September or October 2011. [Update June 2011: my best guess now is maybe the end of the year]

The inside has been gutted and building materials are being helicoptered up from Tataka. The contractors estimate 50 days-worth of airlifting will be required. Can only do about 20 trips each day in the mornings before warm air currents make flight tricky. Each load is between 250 and 350kg.
Sensors and cameras are being installed at various locations along the main Tataka-Paiyu route to more easily monitor the location of (lost) hikers. More info when I know more.

Yushan Single Day Ascent.

I can assist qualified people in arranging permits and other logistics for single-day ascents of Yushan’s Main Peak. This tough option is only suitable for those with more than average experience and hiking fitness. You will need to convince me of experience on some of the top international most prominent summits, or relevant trails in Taiwan. Repeat: only suitable for the fit and experienced hiker. The National Park needs photographic proof.

Note also, Yushan will be closed to all hikers for the month of February plus (depending on actual weather conditions) some of January and March probably. There are icy patches near the summit, the National Park is enforcing the requirement for hikers to carry crampons and ice axes.

North Dawu Mountain.
The Forestry Bureau have completed repairs to the trail and Kuaigu Cabin. The campsites have been rebuilt and the lighting upgraded.

What has NOT improved is access to the original trailhead. The 7.5 km ‘public’ road from upper Taiwu Village is still very bad condition and then ends abruptly near the ‘new’ trailhead. This adds at least an extra 1.5 hours rough hiking to the normal ascent. The land in this area belongs to the local community, they do not have the resources or interest in doing large-scale reconstruction and would prefer to let the mountain ‘rest’ for some years.

Wuling Farm.
Wuling Cabin (武陵山莊) - the accommodation at the north end of Wuling Farm has been renovated, and now managed by the Hoya Hotel...which means it is not the cheap option it was in the past!

Nengao Trail.
The Western Section of the Nengao Trail to the central ridge and the summits of Cilai South and Nanhua are a top recommendation for people wanting an excellent 2-3-day hike - but without the time to arrange permits for peaks in the national parks. I can arrange accommodation and transport from Puli/Wushe to the trailhead for those wanting to do this trip. Note the Tienchr Cabin has already been demolished, the new structure should be completed in the next few months. Porter-supplied food and tents can be arranged.

Island-wide Tours.
Get in touch if looking for escorted tours anywhere in Taiwan - we do some very tame hikes too! Richard at barkingdeerinfo@gmail.com

Happy New Year!

Yushan (Jade Mountain) reopening...?

It is very likely that Yushan's trails will not start reopening until March 2010. Nothing has been officially confirmed yet, but this was one of the main conclusions at a recent meeting between the National Park and local hiking groups.

Repairs to approach roads are still at an early stage. Both highways No 21 from Nantou, and No 18 via Alishan, to Tataka (Tatajia) are in a very bad shape. It inadvisable to approach the area without a very good reason and a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The standard Tataka trail to the main peak of Yushan (Jade Mountain) will probably be the first reopened. The entry points to the longer trekking trails, such as via Dungpu/Batongguan and the Southern Cross Highway, will remain closed for a longer time.

One bit of good news. Competition for permits has been, and will continue to be, stiff. It has been suggested that foreign hikers be allowed to apply 3 months in advance for the required spaces at Paiyun Cabin. Should this become official policy (hope so!) it will be reflected in our spring schedule.

Goodbye Summer...Autumn & Winter Hikes

Some open-to-all hike dates for the fall (oops! Autumn) and winter season. More details as always on Barking-Deer.com

Updates in Red

October 22-25
Dabajianshan (Mount Daba) standard route. This distinctive peak (3492m), the one hiding behind the deer on Taiwan's 500 dollar note, has been closed for some time. Now, if you are up for it, it is possible again to climb to the very top, hmm. Update: Daba is still closed and may remain so for some time yet. Chilai also closed.

October 26 - November 1
Snow (Syue/Shei/Xue/Hsuei shan) mountain west ridge route including main summit and possible 2 day extension to the North peak for a fantastic view of the Holy Ridge, Daba and the dragon's spine. Update: West ridge closed due to damage. Doing Holy Ridge instead - closed to more hikers.

October 31 - November 1
Snow Mountain standard ascent.

November 6-8
Snow Mountain 'Four Show's'
Four great 'Top 100' peaks loop starting and ending at Wuling Farm.

November 10-12
Nanhu Dashan standard route. Ranked by many experienced Taiwanese hikers as 'the best'. Located in Taroko National Park.

November 13 (date may change slightly)
Taroko Gorge secret trails. Full

November 14-17 (dates may change)
Yushan Main Peaks - Camp high and explore some sub-peaks. No more spaces

November 27-28 (meet up 26th evening)
Standard Yushan summit. Full

November 27-29 (meet up 26th evening)
Yushan Traverse, end up in Dongpu Hot spring resort. Batonguan still closed, changed to Yushan peak-bagging. Full

Mid December (possibly 11-18th)
Southern Second Section. The classic N-S ridge hike though the middle of Yushan National Park.

December 21 - January ?
Batongguan Traverse. Probably Taiwan best E-W trek. If Batongguan still closed will do a route of similar scale.

Yushan Permits

Please note: this is an old post. Conditions change, for up to date information please read more recent posts.

We've been asked about getting permits for Yushan. If you have the wherewithal to do the ascent yourself, we can help you tackle this lovely bit of bureaucracy.

What we need is a copy of the data page in your passport/ARC, the dates you want to be where, and your emergency contact numbers. We charge $900 per application (1 person) and $500 for every additional person, this includes accommodation at Paiyun Lodge.

Please Note:
-The number of people allowed to head for Paiyun/summit is restricted, for popular times (most weekends) the park operates a lottery to decide who gets in. Your chances are much better if applying to hike on a weekday.
-Other than during the summer vacation, hikers can not camp outside at Paiyun on weekdays (ie, must apply for a space IN the lodge).
-NO permits are issued for a month around Chinese New Year, this is to give the mountain a chance to 'rest'.
-Dates/names/routes listed on the permits can not be changed after issuance. The park has the right to withdraw permission in the event of typhoons/earthquakes etc.