The view of 能高山 (Neng gao shan) from 天池山莊 (Tian zhu mountain hut).

Green hills partway up to 天池 (Tian chi).

The campsite at 天池 (Tian chi) with 南華山 (Nan hua shan) in the right side of the background.

Most people who had to carry their backpacks up here the night before because they couldn't get a space at 天池山莊 (Tian zhu mountain hut) didn't look too happy. No wonder because it's about an extra kilometer of steep stairs.

Looking towards 南華山 (Nan hua shan), which isn't visible from this perspective.

The trail towards 奇萊南峰 (Qi lai south peak) which is towards the left out of frame. On the far right is 奇萊裡山 (Qi lai li shan) which is on the way to 奇萊主峰 (Qi lai main peak).

Another look back with 南華山 (Nan hua shan) on the left and 能高山 (Neng gao shan) on the right in the far back.

A small but harmless creek to cross on the way.

Looking back after crossing the creek.

A dark spot gentian along the way (黑斑龍膽, Gentiana scabrida)

Looking back towards 南華山 (Nan hua shan).

A steep climb ahead. There are two paths but most people seem to choose the one on the right.

The trail fork in the background is where we came from. A right turn takes you back to 天池 (Tian chi), a left turn to 奇萊裡山 (Qi lai li shan).

花蓮 (Hua lian) in the distance.

This is where the path starts to zigzag.

Another gentiana, this time presumably a Gentiana arisanensis 阿里山龍膽.

The last few hundred meters ...

Cairns near the top of 奇萊南峰 (Qi lai south peak).

Looking back down one last time.

能高山南峰 (Neng gao shan south peak) in the center and 能高山 (Neng gao shan) to its right.

埔里 (Puli) to the west.

Looking north there's also a great view of the road to 武嶺 (Wuling). The peak on the left with the visible road is 合歡主峰 (He huan main peak), on the right is 合歡東峰 (He huan east peak). On the far right in the background the microwave reflector half-way up to 合歡北峰 (He huan north peak). The tall peak in the left background is 雪山 (Xue shan).

Looking north east we can see 奇萊主峰 (Qi lai main peak) and 奇萊北峰 (Qi lai north peak) to its left.

Great views all around at the top of ...

奇萊南峰 (Qi lai south peak).

Raising the usual flags ...

... before heading back down.

The only thing the bureaucrats at the Taroko National Park office are good at: coming up with rules and having them printed on oversized signs that some poor sod then has to carry up the mountain.

My favorite: "Forbidden are ... other things that are forbidden in the National Park." 👍

The trail fork near 天池 (Tian chi) with the trail we had just come back down from.

The trail towards 南華山 (Nan hua shan).

A little further up.

Looking back. 奇萊裡山 (Qi lai li shan) on the right.

The peak of 南華山 (Nan hua shan).

On top of 南華山 (Nan hua shan) with the top of 能高山 (Neng gao shan) just covered in clouds.

Looking down towards 光被八表 (Guang pi ba biao), which is part way between 天池山莊 (Tian chi mountain hut) and 能高山 (Neng gao shan). This would be the other, slightly longer, way of getting back to camp.