Yushan Standard FAQ'S
Note: this is an old post, some information is out of date. See more recent posts.
These are some of the most frequently asked questions I get asked relating to the standard (the most common - for 99% of people, to the main peak, from Tataka, staying at Paiyun Lodge) approach of Yushan (Jade Mountain) with Barking Deer Adventures.
Is this about the approach from Dungpu, from other parts of the park, staying at Yuanfong?
No, see above.
How can I sneak in?
This used to be both a feasible and condoneable option, but now is neither. It is difficult to do, and can rightfully get you into various kinds of trouble. Can't/won't help you.
What's this different permit stuff I hear? Class A?
To climb Yushan you need firstly a National Park permit and then a Police permit. For more info in this see http://barkingdeernews.blogspot.com/2008/09/mountain-permits-facts-and-opinions.html
Is it easy to get these?
The National park one can be very difficult, the police one relatively easy (just some annoying paperwork).
Can you help me do all this?
Yes of course - well try, not guarantee.
Can you get me a permit for this weekend?
No.
Can you get me a permit for next Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday?
Very unlikely.
How long in advance is it necessary to apply?
ideally 5 weeks.
How can we improve our chances of winning the lottery?
Choose mid-week days to hike. Avoid weekends and holidays - often less than 1 in 20 chance of getting the lottery.
I've heard there is an permit mid-week allotment for foreigners?
The allowance seems to have been canceled, still mid-week seems to be easier for foreign visitors.
Does getting a permit mean I have a guaranteed space in Paiyun Lodge?
Yes.
Isn't all this permit stuff a pain in the rear?
Yes, not only for foreigners but for Taiwanese hikers. Improvements do happen though, it's moving in the right direction.
Can I get a National Park permit at the trailhead?
No. You can get a 'Police' (入山 ru-shan) permit there, but first you must have your hands on the 'National Park' (入園 ru-yuan) one.
Why can't I bring my own tent and just find a spot to put it up instead of staying at Paiyun Lodge?
This the most controlled trail in Taiwan, permits are only issued based upon staying in Paiyun Lodge or one of their tents outside. Any unauthorized camping will be noticed and stopped. If you just want to go camping consider other destinations. Same for campfires - won't happen on this route.
If we don't get the permit for Yushan what do you suggest?
Consider Snow Mountain, Taiwan's second highest, or any of the hundreds of other peaks in Formosa.
Yushan doesn't sound right for me, I'm too unfit to hike more than a couple minutes from my car, where can I experience high peaks?Drive across the cross-island highways and hike ponder the views at Taroko, Hehuan and Yakao http://barkingdeernews.blogspot.com/2008/10/southern-cross-highway.html
Where do you suggest I hike around Taipei?
I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to the excellent trails near Taipei. Look out for Richard Saunder's 'Taipei Day Hikes' books, or read Robert Kelly's blog http://hikingintaiwan.blogspot.com/
What do I need to bring?Here is the list.
What training should I do for Yushan?
Any good aerobic exercise seems to do the trick. The best thing is to do some actual hiking - ideally in your hiking gear...on hills. Imagine!
Must I watch the 'safety' video at the Tataka checkpoint?
Yes, unless you can prove you have watched it online (in Chinese) at http://www.ysnp.gov.tw/
Will the trail be crowded? Will we be stuck in a line of people like Mount Fuji?
No. At very most (often less) there will about 100 people going up the 10km trail on any one day. Most are in groups of 10-20 and rarely hold you up more than a couple seconds. Most foreign hikers feel there are not many people encountered.
What about the other parts of the national park (not on this trip)?
It is very common to walk several days in pristine wilderness without meeting anyone else.
How long does it take to hike it?
First day, 4-6 hours to Paiyun for most people. Second day 2-3 hours to the summit, 1-2 down to Paiyun, and 2-3 hours back to the trailhead.
Are there any wild animals to worry about?
No.
What about the Formosan Black Bear?
I spotted one once on this trail a long time ago, it was mid-week and I was alone. It is very unlikely you will encounter one. They are much more afraid of humans than we of them - NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! To have a better chance of seeing them (or signs of them) it is better to arrange a hike into the remote bear reserve at Dafen.
Other animals?
Looking down into the valleys you may spot Sanbar deer. In the evening, especially lower down you may hear the distinctive call (bark) of the small Barking Deer (Muntiacus reevesi). Around Paiyun it is not uncommon to encounter Chinese Weasels, and the Yellow-throated marten. At the West Peak pavilion, the popular lunch spot, there are several squirrels (and sometimes monkeys) roaming - do not feed them. The Taiwan (Yushan) Laughing Thrush is not shy and can be encountered up close in many places. Also look out for the Vinaceous Rosefinch and Alpine Accentor. Snakes very very rare at this altitude - never seen one.
Crime issues?
Very safe, can't honestly think of anything to worry about.
Can we reserve certain spaces in Paiyun Cabin?
The bunk spaces have been allotted randomly by computer when the permit was issued. The warden on duty may use his discretion and put you in a better location. Be polite, but don't expect special treatment. Keep in mind, for many people arriving at Paiyun this is the toughest/coldest/hottest/most emotional/tedious thing they've ever done. The wardens and guides struggle magnificently keeping everyone happy at such close quarters.
What is the wooden cabin on the western side of the main Paiyun Cabin? Can we stay there?
It is an emergency medical center. No one stays there, though there are rumors about converting it into general accommodation.
What is Paiyun Lodge like?
Could be better...will be posting a detailed description here on the blog soon.
Isn't Paiyun Lodge a bit substandard?
Depends on how you look at it. It works OK at the moment but the park is aware it does not come up to most people's expectations. There are plans to have it completely re-built in the next 2 years.
Are the cabins deeper in the park the same?
No. The new A-frame cabins in the remoter parts of the park are in many ways more modern - and usually completely empty.
How many times have you hiked Yushan?
Not sure exactly. Around 30 times.
Does it get boring?
Er, no. Confucius said...
What's your favorite trail/mountain in Taiwan?
Anything that involves Dafen.
Are their any shortcuts?
This is the shortest route.
Should I be worried about altitude?
Staying a night (as we do) at Tataka helps you adjust. Also research Diamox.
What if I am too exhausted/ill on the trail?
You will never be forced up the trail. We have plans in place to deal with most scenarios other than alien invasion.
Can you arrange oxygen?Very unlikely you will need it. Paiyun has some for emergencies.
Can I hire a porter?
With our standard package you will not be carrying much - personal gear, some snacks. Porters usually cost between $3-4000NT per day. If you really think you need help, discuss with me what needs arranged.
Can I drive myself to the trailhead?
Yes. Are you sure how to get there? Are you sure you will be fit to drive home?
What is the best time to hike Yushan?
You can hike it all year round but fall (autumn) and spring are best. Summer can be wet or permits can be canceled at the last minute due to typhoons. Winter can be good too - less people sometimes, but the park closes the main peak if too icy or snowy, and for a month around Chinese New Year.
Can I bring my dog?
No. This is an environmentally sensitive area, the wardens will never allow your hound up.
This contradicts information I read elsewhere, who is right?
Probably me. There is a lot of nonsense written about hiking Yushan. If I say so myself, this is the most accurate and up to date. Email me if you think I'm wrong.
Can you supply more details about the trail?
If you're not in contact with me already, email me at barkingdeerinfo@gmail.com.
Showing posts with label Yushan permits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yushan permits. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Yushan DIY package.
Yushan (Jade Mountain) Service
Starting May 2009, we offer a new support package for hikers wishing to climb Yushan's main peak by the standard route by themselves. This covers everything you will need for a successful ascent (except the actual walking!) and is actually cheaper than attempting to organize any other way.
This service includes the arrangement and cost of the following:
This arrangement does not include the following items (but may be arranged if specifically requested): snacks on trail, packed lunch on first day. Transport to Southern Taiwan.
Notes: The standard (for 95% of people) ascent of Yushan involves arrival at the hostel at Tataka (20 km from Alishan) on the day prior to hiking, hiking to Paiyun Lodge on Day 1, early morning ascent to the summit of Yushan's Main Peak and return to trailhead and city on day 2. If you require a different schedule please discuss this with us, but remember there are various good reasons why this has become the standard itinerary.
National Park permits are the most problematic part of the process and can be very difficult to obtain at short notice and for weekends. Dates on successful applications can not be changed, names listed are difficult to change and are now checked carefully at the Tataka checkpoint. In addition to payment of a deposit, we will need hiker's names, passport numbers, dates of birth, and any relevant local contact person/telephone number. We will not assist those with ambitions to enter the national park without valid permits.
Cost: US$190/NT$4,900NT ($2,000 non-refundable deposit prior to permit application, $2,900 on successful application). Discount for groups. No hidden extra costs.
Payment: Paypal, bank transfer, cash.
As always, we encourage you to consider some of the many other (less red-tape tied) peaks and trails in Taiwan, such as Snow Mountain, Taiwan's second highest. Or Dabajian - the barrel-shaped monster.
Any questions - send them to barkingdeerinfo@hotmail.com.
Starting May 2009, we offer a new support package for hikers wishing to climb Yushan's main peak by the standard route by themselves. This covers everything you will need for a successful ascent (except the actual walking!) and is actually cheaper than attempting to organize any other way.
This service includes the arrangement and cost of the following:
- Application for Permits, both National Park, and Police (Mountain Entry). To give you the best chance of getting the National Park permit (oversubscribed, and often decided by lottery) we strongly recommend you choose to hike from Monday to Friday, and contact us at least a month in advance. Applications later than this, and for weekends are very very difficult.
- Book accommodation at Paiyun Lodge
- Accommodation and food (dinner and breakfast) at the hostel at Tataka.
- Full instructions in English on how to do the climb by yourself, topographical map with English annotation.
- Sleeping bag rental at Paiyun.
- Three meals prepared at Paiyun. Dinner (usually rice, 3 veg, 3 meat, 1 soup, 1 fruit), early breakfast before summit climb (rice congee etc), and breakfast after summiting (usually noodles-based). Tell us if you need vegetarian options.
- Transport to the trailhead at Tataka from transport hubs in Southern Taiwan (normally Chaiyi High Speed Rail station).
- Shuttle bus from Tataka to the actual trailhead.
- Assistance in applying for certificate of climbing.
- Full email and telephone support service.
This arrangement does not include the following items (but may be arranged if specifically requested): snacks on trail, packed lunch on first day. Transport to Southern Taiwan.
Notes: The standard (for 95% of people) ascent of Yushan involves arrival at the hostel at Tataka (20 km from Alishan) on the day prior to hiking, hiking to Paiyun Lodge on Day 1, early morning ascent to the summit of Yushan's Main Peak and return to trailhead and city on day 2. If you require a different schedule please discuss this with us, but remember there are various good reasons why this has become the standard itinerary.
National Park permits are the most problematic part of the process and can be very difficult to obtain at short notice and for weekends. Dates on successful applications can not be changed, names listed are difficult to change and are now checked carefully at the Tataka checkpoint. In addition to payment of a deposit, we will need hiker's names, passport numbers, dates of birth, and any relevant local contact person/telephone number. We will not assist those with ambitions to enter the national park without valid permits.
Cost: US$190/NT$4,900NT ($2,000 non-refundable deposit prior to permit application, $2,900 on successful application). Discount for groups. No hidden extra costs.
Payment: Paypal, bank transfer, cash.
As always, we encourage you to consider some of the many other (less red-tape tied) peaks and trails in Taiwan, such as Snow Mountain, Taiwan's second highest. Or Dabajian - the barrel-shaped monster.
Any questions - send them to barkingdeerinfo@hotmail.com.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Mountain Permits - Facts and opinions
Getting mountain permits sorted out is one of the biggest and most annoying hurdles to overcome before hiking in Taiwan's high mountains. There is a lot of inaccurate and misleading information out there on the subject, some by simple accident, some by those trying to be discouraging or over-cautious. I hope this answers some questions.
First thing to know is that anyone, in theory, can get permits regardless of (a) group size (including individuals-though we encourage you not to venture out alone) (b) whether you are Taiwanese or a Foreigner (c) have a guide or not. Permits are for the individuals, dates, and routes listed only...these generally can not be changed once issued. Also there is no such thing as a general season permit etc. A small number of especially sensitive ecological areas are only open to recognized scientific researchers...and Taroko Nat Park has serious misgiving about dealing with foreigners in a normal fashion.
There are 2 kinds of permits (1) National Park (入園, ru-yuan), and (2). Police permits (入山, ru-shan). The National Park permits are for entering the respective national park's territory (is that a bit too obvious?), and the Police permits are for entering any high mountain area. Hiking in the National Parks therefore requires both kinds of permits. Generally, permits are not required for public roads passing through the mountains, and some shorter, easier trails.
The National Park permits (ru-yuan) are the more difficult and time consuming to obtain. The Police permits (ru-shan), if not not gotten in advance, usually may be applied for on the spot at a police station in the same county or at a checkpoint on the trail - check first.
The National Park permit must be applied for at least 7 days in advance (Yushan main route, at least a month in advance. Much earlier is usually impossible too.). The best way to apply is online, unfortunately this is often only possible using Chinese, and the applicant (not necessarily the hikers) must have a valid ROC ID number - passport/ARC numbers may not work. Alternatively sending you details by regular mail or email can work...I won't get into the nitty gritty details now or I'll be writing till the next typhoon comes, just to say it's far from a perfect situation!
Yushan (Jade Mountain)
The standard ascent of Yushan is very, very popular but accommodation at Paiyun Lodge/hut/shelter/cabin (where most hikers will stay) is limited to less than 100 people per night. This means Yushan National Park must operate a lottery system if the number of people applying exceeds spaces available. Chances of a successful application are much better by avoiding the the busy weekends, especially Saturday night. On weekdays there is a quota of places left aside for foreign (remember this includes Japanese and Korean) hikers.
Yushan Nat. Park announces the Paiyun lottery result a month before the dates applied for. The screen shot below (click on for a larger image) shows the results, released September 25, for October 25 - a Saturday. 1,768 people applied for the 82 places - do the math! Leaders of the lucky teams are listed. All fair and open - well if you use Windows IE (one of the many government websites that only work properly when using Microsoft's browser).
These are the results for the previous Wednesday. The numbers are better, but still not ideal 275 applied for 82 places.
The many typhoons and growing 'fame' of Yushan has put extra pressure on the system. When typhoons are imminent permits are canceled until the storm has passed, the trail/huts are inspected, and any damage patched up. After typhoons many people will be eagerly applying again to make up for their canceled trips.
We strongly encourage you to consider other mountains (there are hundreds over 3,000m in Taiwan) instead of Yushan. If you are Taipei-based and have your own transport, think about Snow Mountain (Shei/Shuei/Xue shan) just slightly lower than Yushan but often considered more beautiful. Or Dabajian Mountain, as seen on the NT$500 banknote, and a less retentive route.
The permit system, and especially the overlap of the two, is an annoyance to many hikers, Taiwanese and foreign. We hope there will be changes soon but have to accept this is the the best system possible at the moment. The concept of national parks, and longer multi-day hiking is still a fairly new thing here, trails can be very challenging, and arriving tired and cold at a mountain hut to find it full is not a nice experience. Some routes may seem easy to sneak onto without a permit and with minimal worries of being caught and fined, BUT if you require rescue (it can and does happen) you will pay all the costs of the rescuers and their big shiny helicopters - if there illegally.
We are happy to apply for permits for you (for a small fee) and to answer your questions. Contact me, Richard, at barkingdeerinfo@gmail.com and hope I am near a computer to reply.
First thing to know is that anyone, in theory, can get permits regardless of (a) group size (including individuals-though we encourage you not to venture out alone) (b) whether you are Taiwanese or a Foreigner (c) have a guide or not. Permits are for the individuals, dates, and routes listed only...these generally can not be changed once issued. Also there is no such thing as a general season permit etc. A small number of especially sensitive ecological areas are only open to recognized scientific researchers...and Taroko Nat Park has serious misgiving about dealing with foreigners in a normal fashion.
There are 2 kinds of permits (1) National Park (入園, ru-yuan), and (2). Police permits (入山, ru-shan). The National Park permits are for entering the respective national park's territory (is that a bit too obvious?), and the Police permits are for entering any high mountain area. Hiking in the National Parks therefore requires both kinds of permits. Generally, permits are not required for public roads passing through the mountains, and some shorter, easier trails.
The National Park permits (ru-yuan) are the more difficult and time consuming to obtain. The Police permits (ru-shan), if not not gotten in advance, usually may be applied for on the spot at a police station in the same county or at a checkpoint on the trail - check first.
The National Park permit must be applied for at least 7 days in advance (Yushan main route, at least a month in advance. Much earlier is usually impossible too.). The best way to apply is online, unfortunately this is often only possible using Chinese, and the applicant (not necessarily the hikers) must have a valid ROC ID number - passport/ARC numbers may not work. Alternatively sending you details by regular mail or email can work...I won't get into the nitty gritty details now or I'll be writing till the next typhoon comes, just to say it's far from a perfect situation!
Yushan (Jade Mountain)
The standard ascent of Yushan is very, very popular but accommodation at Paiyun Lodge/hut/shelter/cabin (where most hikers will stay) is limited to less than 100 people per night. This means Yushan National Park must operate a lottery system if the number of people applying exceeds spaces available. Chances of a successful application are much better by avoiding the the busy weekends, especially Saturday night. On weekdays there is a quota of places left aside for foreign (remember this includes Japanese and Korean) hikers.
Yushan Nat. Park announces the Paiyun lottery result a month before the dates applied for. The screen shot below (click on for a larger image) shows the results, released September 25, for October 25 - a Saturday. 1,768 people applied for the 82 places - do the math! Leaders of the lucky teams are listed. All fair and open - well if you use Windows IE (one of the many government websites that only work properly when using Microsoft's browser).
These are the results for the previous Wednesday. The numbers are better, but still not ideal 275 applied for 82 places.
The many typhoons and growing 'fame' of Yushan has put extra pressure on the system. When typhoons are imminent permits are canceled until the storm has passed, the trail/huts are inspected, and any damage patched up. After typhoons many people will be eagerly applying again to make up for their canceled trips.
We strongly encourage you to consider other mountains (there are hundreds over 3,000m in Taiwan) instead of Yushan. If you are Taipei-based and have your own transport, think about Snow Mountain (Shei/Shuei/Xue shan) just slightly lower than Yushan but often considered more beautiful. Or Dabajian Mountain, as seen on the NT$500 banknote, and a less retentive route.
The permit system, and especially the overlap of the two, is an annoyance to many hikers, Taiwanese and foreign. We hope there will be changes soon but have to accept this is the the best system possible at the moment. The concept of national parks, and longer multi-day hiking is still a fairly new thing here, trails can be very challenging, and arriving tired and cold at a mountain hut to find it full is not a nice experience. Some routes may seem easy to sneak onto without a permit and with minimal worries of being caught and fined, BUT if you require rescue (it can and does happen) you will pay all the costs of the rescuers and their big shiny helicopters - if there illegally.
We are happy to apply for permits for you (for a small fee) and to answer your questions. Contact me, Richard, at barkingdeerinfo@gmail.com and hope I am near a computer to reply.
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