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| Mt Xueshan with Monmaria |
Mount Xueshan, also known as Snow Mountain, is the second highest mountain in Taiwan, standing at a height of 3,886 meters. It is located in the Shei-Pa National Park, which is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts in Taiwan. As hiker and lover of nature, I had long dreamed of making the trek to the summit of this majestic peak, and I finally got my chance on last December 2022.
The hike up Mount Xueshan is not for the faint of heart. It is a grueling climb, with steep inclines, treacherous terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions. But for those who are up for the challenge, the rewards are immeasurable. The views from the top are breathtaking, with panoramic vistas of Taiwan's stunning natural landscape.
The distance from our hotel at Taipei to Shei-Pa National Park in Taiwan is approximately 140 kilometers, we decided to rent a van to accommodate our group of six people, making our travels to Shei-Pa National Park more convenient and enjoyable. The journey by van typically takes around 4-5 hours including we stop for lunch at vegan restaurant.
Our journey up Mount Xueshan began in the late evening, as we set out from the trailhead in the Shei-Pa National Park. I was traveling with a small group of Malaysian hikers, Azri (group leader), Abang Khalil Kalid, Firdhaus, Abang Jim, Kak Lin and me, and we were all excited and a bit nervous about what lay ahead.
DAY 1 - Trekking Through the Majestic Shei-Pa National Park to Cika Cabin
The trek to Cika Cabin is a moderate hike that takes around 4-5 hours to complete, depending on your pace. It starts at the Songxue Parking Lot, located near the entrance of the park. From there, you'll follow a well-marked trail that winds through the forest, up steep inclines, and across rugged terrain.
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After a few hours of trekking, at 6:00pm (already dark) we all finally reach Cika Cabin, a rustic mountain lodge nestled among the trees. The cabin is basic but comfortable, with bunk beds, a kitchen, and a cozy that can rent. It's a great place to rest, relax, before we continue for the next challenge tomorrow.
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| Cooking for dinner |
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| Dinner |
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| Cika Cabin |
This 8.5-kilometer trail is not for the faint of heart, but it offers an incredible journey through the heart of Taiwan's mountains and some of the most stunning views in Taiwan. We start at 8:38am from Cika Cabin (3,100m asl), the trail heads north, following a steep and rocky path up towards the ridgeline. As you climb higher, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
One of the highlights of the trek is the view from the top of the ridge. From here, you'll be able to see for miles in every direction, with jagged peaks rising up on either side of the trail. It's a truly stunning sight that will take your breath away.
The trail then descends into a beautiful valley, where you'll cross a crystal-clear stream and pass through dense forests of cedar and pine trees. The trail can be steep and rocky in places, but the scenery is well worth the effort. The trail is not for beginners, but for experienced trekkers, it offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
After a few hours of trekking, at 2:44pm we finally reach 369 Hut, a rustic mountain shelter that offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The hut is basic but comfortable, with bunk beds that you can rent and a small kitchen area. It's a great place to rest and relax before continuing on our summit attack tomorrow early in the morning.
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| East Peak Xue Mountain |
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| Trek from Cika Cabin to 369 Hut |
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| Sanliujiu 369 Hut |
Summit attack
The journey begins at the 369 Hut, a rustic shelter located at an elevation of 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level. We start our journey on 4:15am, from here, we ascend to the peak, which stands at an impressive 3,886 meters (12,749 feet) tall. Along the way, we pass through a variety of different landscapes, including dense forests, rocky terrain, and open meadows.
The weather is not so good, is raining start from last night, the temperature the feel is very cold. Everyone wearing proper gear, we make sure to wear waterproof hiking boots, a rain jacket, rain pants, and a waterproof backpack cover. We also standby our dry clothes in the daypack bag. It can be a very different experience when it's raining. While trekking in the rain can be challenging, the rain can make the trail more challenging, as it can be slippery and muddy in places. We take extra caution when hiking and make sure to step carefully. Trekking poles can be very helpful to maintain balance and prevent falls.
One advantage of trekking in the rain is that the views can be breathtaking. The mist and fog can add an ethereal quality to the landscape and create beautiful photo opportunities. However, be aware that the clouds can obscure the views at times, so it's important to be patient and wait for the right moments to take photos. We reached the peak at 8:30am, but the view was obscured by mist and fog, and we were unable to see anything. However, we were lucky enough to experience a brief moment of clarity when the wind blew for about 10-30 seconds, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the stunning view.
One of the highlights of the trek is reaching the summit of Mount Xueshan, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. On clear days, it is even possible to see all the way to the coast. The trek to the peak of Mount Xueshan is not for the faint of heart, and trekkers should be prepared with proper gear and equipment, including sturdy hiking boots, warm clothing, and a reliable backpack. Trekkers should also be in good physical condition and have some experience with high-altitude trekking.
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| Black Forest |
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| With Abang Khalil Khalid |
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| Open view at the peak |
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| Teams! |
Back to Shei-Pa National Park Office (Trail Head)
We took a moment to take a picture at the summit for only half an hour before heading down to 369 Hut at 9:00 am. The temperature was very cold, dropping below freezing, and the wind was very strong at the summit. We finally reached the 369 Hut at 11:00 am with a good weather rather than at the summit.
After lunch that Azri cooked early last night, we packed all our stuff and started hiking straight down to Shei-Pa National Park. The weather slowly started raining after we began hiking down. The fog and mist were very thick, but the wind was not very strong. Finally, we arrived at Shei-Pa National Park at 4:30 pm. We celebrated with coffee and ice cream at the national park office, where we could buy souvenirs and some minor hiking gear. We cleaned ourselves before getting back to Taipei by van.
In overall, The trek to the peak of Mount Xueshan typically takes two to three days, depending on the pace of the trekker and the weather conditions. The trail is well-marked and maintained, but it can be steep and challenging in places, especially as trekkers approach the summit.
Hiking log
DAY 1
1000 Taipei
1200 Lunch at Veggie Restaurant, Yilan City
1600 Arrive at Shei-Pa National Park Office (Trail Head)
1630 Start hike to Cika Cabin
1800 Arrived at Cika Cabin
2000 Dinner
2100 Rest and sleep
DAY 2
0730 Breakfast
0830 Start hike to Sanliujiu 369 Hut
1300 Arrived at East Peak Xue Mountain, 3201 asl (Lunch)
1330 Continue hike to Sanliujiu 369 Hut
1430 Arrived at Sanliujiu 369 Hut
1530 Preparing for dinner and rest
1715 Dinner
1800 Preparing for breakfast and lunch for tomorrow
1930 Rest and sleep
DAY 3
0330 Wake up and prepare for summit attack
0430 Start hike to summit
0830 Arrive at Peak of Mount Xueshan
0930 Start hiking back to Sanliujui 369 Hut
1130 Arrived at Sanliujui 369 Hut
1200 Lunch & packing bag
1300 Start hiking back to Shei-Pa National Park office
1645 Arrive at Shei-Pa National Park office
End
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