Mountaineering in Taiwan

Taiwan is a young and mountainous island, which has the largest number and density of high mountains in the world. There are 286 mountain summits over 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) above sea level on the island, with Yushan (Jade Mountain – in Chinese) being the tallest mountain in both Taiwan and East Asia.

Mountaineering is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Taiwan. A list of 100 Peaks of Taiwan was created in 1971, which lists the one hundred mountains over 3,000M for mountaineering on the island. Climbing all of the one hundred mountains listed is considered the greatest challenge for Taiwanese mountaineer.

The definition of mountains in Taiwan

100 Peaks of Taiwan(Baiyue – in Chinese): Specific mountains in the 100 Peaks of Taiwan which are over 3,000M.
Mid-Level Mountains: Summit is at an altitude between 1000M ~ 3000M.
Suburban Mountains: Summit is under 1000M.

The 100 peaks of Taiwan are charactered with uniqueness, danger, height, beauty, and prominence. For promoting mountain climbing in Taiwan, Mr. Wen-An Lin(林文安) and 3 other mountaineers jointly chosen these 100 peaks based on these 5 criteria.

Mid-Level mountains usually mean the summits between suburban mountains and high mountains. The altitudes are mostly at 1000M ~ 3000M. However, there are various classifications, some may define mid-level mountain by climbing difficulty or altitude between 1500M ~ 3000M.

Suburban mountains are peaks that’s under 1000M. They are mostly located at the outskirt.

The 100 peaks of Taiwan scale

Normal Season

Level	Difficulty	Path	Activity Length
A (Level 6)	Public Hiking	Well developed, signposted and marked	1 ~ 3 days
A (Level 5)	Mountain Hiking	Continuous route and passage marking.	1 ~ 3 days
A+ (Level 4)	Challenging Mountain Hiking	A footpath is usually available. Exposed places mostly secured with ropes or chains.	1 ~ 3 days
B (Level 3)	Professional Mountaineering (Easy)	Path not necessarily available. Sometimes need to use hands to keep going.	4~5 days or 1 ~ 3 days but includes dangers of falling.
C (Level 2)	Professional Mountaineering (Medium)	Often without a path. Individual, simple climbing sections.	Above 5 days
C+ (Level 1)	Professional Mountaineering (Difficult)	Mostly without a path and unmarked. Climbing sections up to II.	Above 5 days. Requires rappel and rock climbing.

Snow Season

Level	Description
D	Snowshoe hiking or trekking. Conditional available in the snow season.
E	Temporarily unavailable during snow season

If you would like to climb the mountains on level A, it does not require any certificate of mountain climbing experience. Applying to climb the mountains of level B, you are required to present your proof of reaching the summit of mountains in level A; so on and so forth. As a result, you are not allowed to climb Qilai Main/North peak if you don’t have climbing experience in level A mountains. In the same manner, you are not allowed to climb Dajian and Xiajian mountains or Section II of South.

Level 6

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Level	Difficulty	Route
34	Hehuanshan North Peak	3422 m 11227 ft	A	6	Hehuan Peaks
35	Hehuanshan East Peak	3421 m 11224 ft	A	6	Hehuan Peaks
37	Hehuanshan Main Peak	3417 m 11211 ft	A	6	Hehuan Peaks
70	Shimenshan	3237 m 10620 ft	A	6	Hehuan Peaks
82	Hehuanshan West Peak	3145 m 10318 ft	A	6	Hehuan Peaks
72	Taguanshan	3222 m 10571 ft	A	6	3 starts of Southern cross.
77	Guanshanlingshan	3176 m 10420 ft	A	6	3 starts of Southern cross.
86	Kuhanuoxinshan	3115 m 10220 ft	A	6	3 starts of Southern cross.

Level 5

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Level	Difficulty	Route
69	Yushan Front Peak	3239 m 10627 ft	A	5	Yushan Front 5 peaks
25	Yushan West Peak	3518 m 11542 ft	A	5	Yushan Front 5 peaks
1	Yushan Main Peak	3952 m 12966 ft	A	5	Yushan Front 5
99	Liushunshan	2999 m 9839 ft	B	5	Qicai Lake
79	Zhongxueshan	3173 m 10410 ft	A	5	Zhongxue Mountain
61	Jundashan	3265 m 10712 ft	A	5
91	Xiluandashan	3081 m 10108 ft	A	5
90	Beidawushan	3092 m 10144 ft	A	5	Beidawushan
80	Shuanshan	3168 m 10394 ft	A	5
39	Bilushan	3371 m 11060 ft	A	5
96	Yangtoushan	3035 m 9957 ft	A	5
46	Batongguanshan	3335 m 10942 ft	A	5

Level 4

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Level	Difficulty	Route
4	Yushan North Peak	3858 m 12657 ft	A	4	Yushan Front 6
3	Yushan East Peak	3869 m 12694 ft	A	4	Yushan Front 6
5	Yushan South Peak	3844 m 12612 ft	A	4	Yushan Front 6
2	Xueshan	3886 m 12749 ft	A	4	Xueshan Main East
75	Xueshan East Peak	3201 m 10502 ft	A	4	Xueshan Main East
27	Sanchashan	3496 m 11470 ft	A	4	Jiaming Lake
17	Xiangyangshan	3603 m 11821 ft	A	4	Jiaming Lake
20	Qilaishan	3560 m 11680 ft	B	4	Qilai Main North
16	Qilai North Peak	3607 m 11834 ft	B	4	Qilai Main North
52	Chiyoushan	3303 m 10837 ft	A	4	Wulingsishiu
24	Pintianshan	3524 m 11562 ft	B	4	Wulingsishiu
49	Taoshan	3325 m 10909 ft	A	4	Wulingsishiu
84	Kelayeshan	3133 m 10279 ft	A	4	Wulingsishiu
28	Dabajianshan	3492 m 11457 ft	A	4	Daba Trekking
36	Xiaobajianshan	3418 m 11214 ft	B	4	Daba Trekking
86	Jialishan	3112 m 10210 ft	A	4	Daba Trekking
53	Yizeshan	3297 m 10817 ft	A	4	Daba Trekking
65	Pingfengshan	3250 m 10663 ft	B	4
45	Baigudashan	3342 m 10965 ft	B	4

Level 3

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Level	Difficulty	Route
9	Dongxiaonanshan	3711 m 12175 ft	C	3	Yushan 11 peaks
100	Lushan	2981 m 9780 ft	C	3	Yushan 11 peaks
11	Xueshan North Peak	3703 m 12149 ft	C+	3	Holy Ridge
44	Zhijiayangdashan	3345 m 10974 ft	A	3	Holy Ridge Zhijiayang Line
79	Zhongxueshan	3173 m 10410 ft	A	3	Xueshan West Range
23	Daxueshan	3530 m 11581 ft	C	3	Xueshan West Range
26	Touyingshan	3510 m 11516 ft	C	3	Xueshan West Range
51	Huoshishan	3310 m 10860 ft	C	3	Xueshan West Range
83	Shenmazhenshan	3141 m 10305 ft	A	3	North 1st Section
22	Nanhubeishan	3536 m 11601 ft	B	3	North 1st Section
14	Nanhushan East Peak	3632 m 11916 ft	B	3	North 1st Section
73	Mabishanshan	3325 m 10909 ft	C	3	North 1st Section
8	Nanhudashan	3133 m 10279 ft	B	3	North 1st Section
29	Nanhushan South Peak	3475 m 11401 ft	C	3	North 1st Section
32	Babashan	3449 m 11316 ft	C	3	North 1st Section
10	Central Range Point	3705 m 12156 ft	C+	3	North 1st Section
46	Batongguanshan	3335 m 10942 ft	A	3	South 2nd Section
13	Dashuikushan	3642 m 11949 ft	B	3	South 2nd Section
74	Dafenjianshan	3208 m 10525 ft	C	3	South 2nd Section
92	Tafenshan	3070 m 10072 ft	C	3	South 2nd Section
19	Yunfeng (Cloud Peak)	3564 m 11693 ft	C	3	South 2nd Section
57	Lulushan	3279 m 10758 ft	C	3	South 2nd Section
42	Nanshuangtoushan	3356 m 11010 ft	C	3	South 2nd Section
62	Nenggaoshan	3262 m 10702 ft	C	3	Nenggao Andongjun
43	Nenggaoshan South Peak	3349 m 10988 ft	C	3	Nenggao Andongjun
95	Guangtoushan	3060 m 10039 ft	C	3	Nenggao Andongjun
87	Baishishan	3110 m 10203 ft	C	3	Nenggao Andongjun
94	Andongjunshan	3068 m 10066 ft	C	3	Nenggao Andongjun
6	Xiuguluanshan	3825 m 12549 ft	B	3	BaDaXiuMa
7	Mabolashishan	3785 m 12418 ft	C+	3	BaDaXiuMa
20	Qilaishan	3560 m 11680 ft	B	3	Qilai Trekking
41	Qilaishan South Peak	3358 m 11017 ft	A	3	Qilai Trekking
76	Nanhuashan	3184 m 10446 ft	A	3	Qilai Trekking

Level 2

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Level	Difficulty	Route
7	Mabolashishan	3785 m 12418 ft	C+	2	Mabo Cliff crossing
21	Malijiananshan	3546 m 11634 ft	C+	2	Mabo Cliff crossing
33	Maxishan	3443 m 11296 ft	C+	2	Mabo Cliff crossing
98	Jupenshan	3022 m 9915 ft	C+	2	Mabo Cliff crossing
58	Kaxipananshan	3276 m 10748 ft	C+	2	Mabo Cliff crossing
47	Xinkangshan	3331 m 10928 ft	C	2	Xinkang Cliff crossing
97	Bulakesangshan	3026 m 9928 ft	C	2	Xinkang Cliff crossing
55	Ganzhuowanshan	3284 m 10774 ft	C	2	Ganzhuowan Mountain Range
40	Zuoshedashan	3369 m 11053 ft	C	2	Ganzhuowan Mountain Range
68	Mushan	3241 m 10633 ft	C	2	Ganzhuowan Mountain Range
63	Wandongshan West Peak (Huoshan)	3241 m 10633 ft	C	2	Ganzhuowan Mountain Range
60	Lingmingshan	3272 m 10735 ft	B	2	North 2nd Section
31	Wumingshan	3451 m 11322 ft	C+	2	North 2nd Section
81	Ganshufeng	3158 m 10361 ft	C+	2	North 2nd Section
12	Guanshan	3668 m 12034 ft	C	2	South 1st section
78	Hainuonanshan	3174 m 10413 ft	C	2	South 1st section
66	Xiaoguanshan	3249 m 10659 ft	C	2	South 1st section
54	Beinanzhushan	3295 m 10810 ft	C	2	South 1st section

Level 1

Rank	Mountain	Elevation	Level	Difficulty	Route
71	Wushuangshan	3231 m 10600 ft	C+	1	South 3rd Section
30	Dongluandashan	3468 m 11378 ft	C+	1	South 3rd Section
15	Dongjundashan	3619 m 11873 ft	C+	1	South 3rd Section
59	Neilingershan	3275 m 10745 ft	C	1	South 3rd Section
67	Yixiqingmazhishan	3245 m 10646 ft	C+	1	South 3rd Section
48	Dandashan	3331 m 10928 ft	C	1	South 3rd Section
97	Bulakesangshan	3026 m 9928 ft	C	1	South 3rd Section
16	Qilaishan North Peak	3607 m 11834 ft	B	1	Qilai East Range
88	Panshishan	3106 m 10190 ft	C	1	Qilai East Range
89	Patuolushan	3101 m 10174 ft	C	1	Qilai East Range
93	Liwuzhushan	3069 m 10069 ft	C	1	Qilai East Range

All the limits are self-imposed.
Icarus

Go for it and achieve it — All the limits are self-imposed

When I stopped finding excuses, I know I can do it. As long as I set a goal, I will find every possible way to achieve it. Ready, Set, and Go.

The beginning of weight control

One day at the December of 2019, my boss and I had a conversation regarding my health condition in the pantry room. The conversation was interrupted by another senior manager of the other department. I thought the talk might just ended there, but my boss reinitiate it after he come back to his seat. He emphasized the importance of balancing work and life. He expected that I could provide stable and continuous impacts to the team, the department and the company.

At that time, I was 20 kilograms heavier than my standard weight. I worked 12 hours a day, sometimes even more. Struggling with being a good employee as well as a good father. I told myself that I was too busy to workout, so I tolerated my weight to take off like an rocket.

After having this conversation, I stopped finding excuses. I changed my daily routines with little time slots of short but intensive exercises, e.g. climbing stairs or scientific workout. By the end of June at 2020, I successfully lose 10 KG within 6 months by low-carb diet and regular exercise. I have achieved a short term goal, and I am working hard to achieve my next goal.

The beginning of mountaineering

For years, I never thought I would actually want to climb the 100 mountains in Taiwan. Although I always see myself as a mountain kid, I still think climbing all those mountains will not be my goal. Until this time, I chose hiking as my method for weight control, then it start triggering my thought of achieving this goal.

ViewAtScottishHighland — Scottish Highland

We went camping at Scottish Highland, a campground near Cingjing Farm, at October of 2018. It’s a very beautiful and quiet campground with spectacular view. We stay two nights over there and I was amazed by the mountains and fresh air there. We also climbed our first 100 mountain at that trip, called Shimen Mountain. My kids finished the trail by themselves when they were 2.5 and 4 years old. I was very impressed with them even though we spend double of the time compare to the average.

In the 2019, I watched a lot of Youtube channels regarding overlanding and off-roading. At some point, Youtube started to recommending mountain climbing channels to me. I saw the 19 years TV program,<MIT台灣誌>, directed by Director Mai Jue-Ming. When I was still in teenage, I found it a little bit boring. However, I do recommend this program to my friends when I know the person is interested in hiking or mountain climbing. Until this time, I actually started to watch the program episode by episode. I learned a lot of the mountaineering techniques, cultures, and guidelines from the show. More importantly, I found the beauty of Taiwan.

At this moment, I still not able to go a hike which need a overnight stay because my family are not with me. Training for high altitude mountain climbing requires a lot of physical strength and energy. I don’t expect to finish the goal tomorrow, but I know I’m achieving it one by one.

The beginning of blogging

I had a conversation with my wife a couple weeks ago when we were on the way to a campground. I was hesitating on whether I should spend my time on preparing MBA admission essay or creating passive income? We spent some time on house hunting. We visited around 15 houses in 4 weeks. The purpose was finding a house for rental in order to create passive income.

My wife asked me: “Why do you wanna get a MBA degree?”

I thought I like to be a leader and I enjoy making decisions. Mundanely speaking, I’d like to make more money and retire early. Since either way are leading to retire early, why not just start to create passive incomes?

Youtuber could be a professional occupation. Knowing myself is not comfortable when I’m in front of a camera. Youtube Vlog naturally is not on my list. Based on my researches, I decided to use an old fashion way, blogging. This time, instead of using public service, I create my own website with my own domain. Hopefully, my interests can be my career. This could be a long shot, but I think I can do it. Read along with me, and let’s walk through this journey.