合歡山 (He huan shan) (Day 1) (40 items)

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The first day of our weekend in 合歡山 (He huan shan) took us to 合歡山北峰 (He huan shan north peak) and 合歡山主峰 (He huan shan main peak). Beautiful hiking weather made this the perfect day to climb two of Taiwan's 100 highest mountains.

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  • The view from our homestay at night. Not too bad you think? Wait for daylight! :-)
  • The balcony of our homestay.
  • Daylight shines an interesting twilight on the 清境 (Qing jing) area. On the one hand there's the amazing mountain scenery that has also led to the area endearingly being called 小瑞士 - "Little Switzerland". On the other hand it displays the touristic and kitchy nature of anything human-built in the area. On the right side you can see one of the countless "European-style" buildings in the area. What makes these homestays so ugly is not only the fact that the architect has likely never visited Europe but also that they try to combine all kinds of different styles into one. But despair not! We had higher things in mind than joining city people staring at the origin of milk and eggs on the 清境農場 (Qing jing farm): Climbing several of Taiwan's 100 highest mountains!
  • Joe's first altitude-related experience of the day: Coke explodes very easily when opened at high altitude after driving on windy roads. :-)
  • View from the road that leads up to 合歡山 (He huan shan).
  • The road that leads up eastwards to 合歡山 (He huan shan). This turn marks the entrance to the 太魯閣國家公園 (Taroko National Park) where we had been to before, but only entering from Taiwan's Eastern Coast.
  • The entrance to the 太魯閣國家公園 (Taroko National Park), which is generally famous for its beautiful marble gorges. This time we were only looking to hike the mountains at its western extent.
  • The road that leads up to 合歡山 (He huan shan).
  • At the trail head ready for the hike up to 合歡山北峰 (He huan shan north peak). The spirits are still high!
  • Hiking up to 合歡山北峰 (He huan shan north peak). Joe and I were carrying heavy backpacks to train for more strenuous trips to come.
  • The male alpine version of the common image of city girls carrying umbrellas to escape the feared sun tan.
  • View back to where we came from. The rocky small peak in the middle is 石門山 (Shi men shan) and the one just behind it is 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak). Both of these are part of the 台灣百岳 (Taiwan's Highest 100 mountains) but the former one is merely a hill and carries its status for purely historical reasons.
  • Looking eastwards and one kilometer to go.
  • A quick break half-way up to the top. With only 2.3 km the hiking trail is short but the first kilometer is rather steep.
  • The sea of clouds over the Taroko gorge.
  • I was rather stunned to see this. A huge reflector panel has been installed on the hill, apparently to make 合歡山 (He huan shan) clearly visible from other peaks in the area. I haven't seen it in action yet but trips to said other peaks are in planning! :-)
  • View of 奇萊山 (Qi lai shan), one of Taiwan's more difficult mountains to climb. The fact that some people have not returned from trying to climb it gave it the nickname 黑色奇萊 (Black Qi lai).
  • View back.
  • A lonely hiker enjoying the magnificent view.
  • Interesting cloud formations over the mountains.

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