合歡山 (He huan shan) (Day 2) (17 items)

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The second day of our weekend in 合歡山 (He huan shan) was marked by fog and wind but that didn't stop us from climbing 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak), 石門山 (Shi men shan), and 合歡尖山 (He huan jian shan). Even though not difficult to reach the former two also are among Taiwan's 100 highest mountains.

  • Nothing like a little ham and irony to start a new day ...
  • The area around 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak) is full with gorgeous 杜鵑 (Rhododendron) bushes.
  • The hiking trail up to 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak). In good conditions - weather and legs - a return trip might only take about an hour.
  • After a short hike we were at the top of 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak), the 33rd highest mountain in Taiwan with 3421 m altitude.
  • Joe at the top of foggy 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak).
  • 合歡山東峰 (He huan shan east peak) actually has two little peaks right next to each other and it's hard to tell which one is higher. The one in the back counts as the real peak with 3421 m altitude and the sign on the one in front carries the number "3409". If that's supposed to be the altitude then some people have some calibrating to do ...
  • Luckily there's a sign in all four directions that shows the view on a sunny day. Otherwise it would have been pretty hard to tell that the scenery is nice. :-)
  • It's hard to describe how a little bit of hot soup or tea makes you feel better when you're sitting in the wind at the top of a foggy mountain. But trust me, it does!
  • One of the many 杜鵑 (Rhododendron) bushes in the 合歡山 (He huan shan) area.
  • 杜鵑 (Rhododendron)
  • 杜鵑 (Rhododendron)
  • Checking off mountains at its cheapest! After a ridiculous fifteen minutes walk from the street we have reached 石門山 (Shi men shan), which is the 68th on the [http://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/台灣百岳列表 list of the 台灣百岳 (Taiwan's Highest 100 mountains)]. It is only 3236 meters high and barely stands out from its environment but thanks to its status as an important triangulation point it is part of the list.
  • 石門山 (Shi men shan) may not be a huge mountain but it can certainly play in the league of the windiest mountains!
  • Climbing 合歡尖山 (He huan jian shan). This little peak doesn't count as one of the 台灣百岳 (Taiwan's Highest 100 mountains) but it's actually slightly more difficult and a lot more fun to climb than 石門山 (Shi men shan). Okay, the photo makes it look more dramatic than it really is but at least it's not just walking. :-)
  • Approaching the top of 合歡尖山 (He huan jian shan) ...
  • That's what people on Mount Everest must feel like ...
  • At the top of 合歡尖山 (He huan jian shan). Yes, I know, I'm holding the flag upside down but that's only to express my disappointment over not being able to check off another peak from the Top 100 list. I guess I have to face the fact that from now on each one of them will come at a higher price!