October/November hikes

This weekend (Sept 22-25, leave Tainan Friday evening, back Tue
evening) there are a couple places left on a Chia-ming Meteor lake
hike http://barking-deer.com/meteorlake.htm - pictured on the cover of
the Taipei Times and China Post today! We may spend some of Saturday
exploring sights on the way up to the trailhead. Suitable for the
reasonably fit, Contact me asap.

Other hikes coming up:

Sept 29/30 (leave 28th evening) 'Combo'
http://barking-deer.com/comboweekend.htm

October 2/3 North Dawu http://barking-deer.com/north_dawu.htm

October 6/7/8 Meteor Lake http://barking-deer.com/meteorlake.htm

October 10 (leave previous evening, and squeeze in as much as possible
in 26 hrs) Southern 3 stars http://barking-deer.com/southernstars.htm

October 16/17/18 Meteor lake http://barking-deer.com/meteorlake.htm

October 23/24/25 Snow Mountain http://barking-deer.com/snowmountain.htm

October 27/28 (leave 26th evening) Yushan
http://barking-deer.com/yushan.htm Time is running out to get permits,
contact me immediately.

October 31/Nov 1 (leaving 30th evening) Yushan. Contact me right away
for a chance of securing permits.

November 2/3/4 Meteor lake

November 6/7 Yushan (provisional)

November 10/11 'Combo'

November 12/13 North Dawu

November 17/18 Yushan

November 21-25 Snow Mountain

November 27/28 Yushan

November 30-December 2 Snow Mountain

December 3-5 Meteor Lake

December 8/9 Yushan

December 11/12 'Combo'

Of course some of these dates may change, we welcome groups coming
looking for custom dates/itineraries.
Don't forget we can get you out paddling around the mangroves if you
give is a day's notice. http://barking-deer.com/citypaddle.htm

Martens, Rosefinches and Knotweed

Last week we were pleased to encounter three Yellow-troated Martens near Paiyun Lodge, on Yushan. These beautiful and inquisitive animals, related to wolverines, minks and weasels, can can be a meter in length from nose to tail tip.








Thanks to Steve for identifying the Flamecrest and Vinaceous Rosefinch on the way up Snow mountain. Amazing how we always seemed to be in the midst of birds on that hike.

Photographer Lief has put together a valuable account of the flowers on Yushan's slopes.















Norman and Lief do their thing with the rising sun. Lief, here on the summit of the South peak, capturing the Main peak (left) and East peak (right).

September Hikes - Without Typhoon Fun!

We have a few trips coming up in the next few weeks. The weather will
thankfully be becoming DRIER and cooler as the fall approaches...could
it get wetter?!?

September 1-3. Snow Mountain. Contact me immediately as time for
permits is short.

September 5-6 (leave 4th evening). Yushan.
http://www.barking-deer.com/yushan.htm

September 8-9 (leave 7th evening). ‘Combo weekend’
http://www.barking-deer.com/comboweekend.htm

September 10-12. Snow Mountain.

September 15-16 (leave 14th evening). Yushan
http://www.barking-deer.com/yushan.htm

September 19-20 (leave 18th evening or earlier). Yushan, plus possible
extension for other peaks/traverse. See Peak Bagging and Extension at
http://www.barking-deer.com/mountainhiking.htm

September 22-25 (Mid Autumn Festival) Chia-ming Meteor Lake
http://www.barking-deer.com/meteorlake.htm

September 27-18 (leaving 26th evening) Yushan
http://www.barking-deer.com/yushan.htm

Advance notice:
We may have treks to Yushan September 29-30,October 12-15 and October
19-21.
For US Thanksgiving (November 22-25) we should be up a-still-snow-free
Snow Mountain.

As ever, we are happy to help apply for permits for independent hiking
(without us guiding etc), and arrange private custom-made group trips.

Cooler weather is paddling the mangroves weather. Anytime - we are
free. http://www.barking-deer.com/citypaddle.htm

Cheers
Richard
0938337710

Typhoon Fun!

The approaching typhoon will probably be long gone by this weekend...but should leave behind perfect white-water rafting conditions on the Lao-nung. Of course, if the river is too big, we will stay well clear and find something else to amuse us!

The 'combo weekend' van leaves Friday evening from downtown Tainan. To book a space check out http://www.barking-deer.com/comboweekend.htm Often after a small typhoon conditions for hiking/biking are even better than usual - cooler air, clearer views.

Email problems

Our email may have been having problems in the last couple days. For the moment please communicate with us via barkingdeerinfo@gmail.com

If you sent anything to us at info@barking-deer.com recently and didn't get a response, now you know why. Send again to barkingdeerinfo@gmail.com thanks!

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.