Hi folks
New member, Howard
Anderson (an ex-colleague of mine in the bad old days when I worked) is
currently on a month’s work assignment in Taiwan. He sent this email describing
a day hike he had which he’s happy if I share with you. (Given the state of our
weather at the moment, it’s hard to relate to tramping in the sort of
temperatures and humidity Howard mentions. He will certainly notice a slight
change on his return!) I found it most interesting to see the number of high
peaks there!
Cheers
Paul K
Hi there,
I had a day off and had this plan to walk Mt Qixing, in the Yangmingshan
National Park, head down the other side and go climb another Datun Mountain in
the same day. Did the first part, but decided not to do the second one.
It was not only hot, but involved climbing 600m in 2km of
track - which turns out to be typically chinese steps (big risers mostly) so it
was a real grunt. Had the heart rate up - so excellent exercise, but had to use
all of the couple of bottles of water I had. Side trip to an east summit (1000m
AMSL) and back and up to the 1120m high point, a rest, then down the other side
(a 200m descent).
Trampers could spend a couple of weeks here easily and
climb all the hills about. Flora- blue geckos and butterflies. Fauna-
silvergrass(1-2m high), and 'arrow bamboo', some places where sulphurous gas
was coming out (and the areas were hotter of course) but found no hot
pools of water- but they do have hot spas in a number of places somewhere
around there. High speed rail means you can get from one end of the country to
the other in a couple of hours.
The nice thing was the public transport to the start and end of tracks – from
the City, get on the MRT to the nearest station, grab a bus to the start, then
at the end of the trail got a shuttle bus back to the National Park HQ (where I
started) – bus and MRT back to the central city.
I needed plenty of drink over the next hour as I’d got a bit
dehydrated, started getting some cramp. The Public transportation had
air-conditioning so that was a relief. Back in the city it was still hot and a
little warmer and drier - the hotel sign across the road was showing 42deg!
An interesting local feature is a “rubbing station”. I've
been told a 'rubbing station' is a place set up so you can rub against poles
etc to relieve a sore back etc., and that sometimes there are attendants who
can give you a massage. It still conjures up some interesting options though!
Massage places in the street near here are cheap enough, foot and calf muscles
(30mins) for 10-15NZD. (Be nice at the
end of a long tramp! PK)
Most signs are also in English, shopping is a breeze and
great food (and you can buy food or drink on or near trails). People on the
trails were friendly. A very enjoyable opportunity and I’d recommend it for
anyone who is thinking about a different place to go.
Highest peak is Yu Shan (yu = Jade; shan = mountain) Elevation:
12966 feet/ 3950m and there are nine others over 10,000ft/3050m.
Cheers
Howard Anderson