Climbing Xueshan (Snow Mountain) in Taiwan : A journey to alpinism

As I am writing this entry, it had been almost a week since my trip to Taiwan. No, I did not went there on a touring spree but climb a mountain. Whenever someone would ask me in Manila what was my Itinenary on tourist spots and I would say I will go there to climb,  they would reply on a blank face, maybe thinking what the hell is wrong with this person. But as a climber for so many years this trip makes perfect sense.  I had been wanting to climb Xueshan (Snow Mountain) in Taiwan for quite sometime then. Basically for three reasons 1.) to go above 3000 meters above sea level (masl) since the highest mountain I had climb was way below the height of Xueshan (Mt. Apo) 2.) To experience hiking in snow in multi day trips. 3.) To experience international hiking. 

So yes I went to Taiwan alone. A few days before my flight I am having snakes on my stomach (butterflies is an understatement). It my first time to go to Taiwan, a country which hardly speak english. It did not help that the cheapest flight I could get leaves at 1 hour before midnight, and was delayed for 2 hours! After arriving at Taoyuan International airport, the Bus ticket counter  was already closed. Being on a budget, I don't want to shell 1000NTD to bring me from Taoyuan to Taipe. I was ready to sleep at the airport when luckily fellow Filipinos relying on the bus was also stranded. So what we did was to share a taxi. The hostel were I stayed was a couple of meters away from the Taipei main station. It took me a while finding the address given that it was my first time to step into this city and it was 4oclock in the morning. I hurriedly went to bed since there was I few places I need to visit before I hike (to be detailed on another entry).




Though I am travelling alone from the Philippines, I was not alone on the climb. I am joining a group of other climbers who was being led by an outfitter. Our meet-up place was at a Taipei MRT station. As I assesed my team mates I was thinking If I made the right decision on doing this kind of set-up. All of them look pretty strong and most are taller than me, even the ladies. Their bags was huge, all looks considerably fit (one girl was doing a leg split stretching on a wall, scary). I was hoping I could measure up to their abilities.

From Taipei it was a 2-3 hour ride to Sheipa National Park which is the trail head. We arrived at the place almost midnight. It was already very cold, at the height of 2200masl. The digital thermometer registered minus one. After the guides handed us some of our technical equipments and last minute instructions, we started the trek. We drop by the ranger station to give our permits, like in Mt. Pulag a video was shown to us regarding the mountain. The trail was pretty straight forward but already steep. After an hour of hiking, we reach Qika cabin. The cabin is very basic in term of ameneties. Running water, bunk beds,  nasty toilets and a small kitchen but no equipment. The main purpose of staying on this lodge I believe was to acclimatize, since the hour spent on hiking can be adjoined to the next day hike. It was very cold, I remember waking up several times inside my thick sleeping bag.

Meet-up place

Packing up

Qika Cabin

Our beds for the night

Our Kitchen

Our Dining table

My Breakfast

The Toilet (bowl is not good to see)

Group shot - Clockwise from top (Ross - Scotland, Me-Philippines, Regina - USA, Joe, USA, Avik - India, Brian - USA, Ian- Canada, Marcus - Germany,  Jennifer, Larisa - Australia, Diego - Mexico, Dimitry - Belarus).
***Photo credit to Neil Wade (who is not on this picture)

The trail (taken during our trip back to the trail head)

The next day after some early tutorial on how to use snow crampons, we continue with our trek. You may consider the trail almost the same the Mt. Pulag via  akiki trail but is more established. The trail is well maintained and there are markers almost every hundred meters to assist the hikers. Abundant pine trees, steep ascents and ridges consist of the trails. One prominents stop is what is called "the crying slope" a very steep part of the trail that I guess is about half kilometer long. After a few more hours of hiking we reached the east peak of the mountain. Here we had a first glimpse of the actual peak. The "Holy Ridge" can also be seen. The 369 cabin where we stayed on the second night was also visible on this viewpoint. As we reach past 3000 masl, altitude mountain sickness (ams) hit me. I had a mild dizziness and headache. Probably its because it my first time to reach this height, or maybe we were hiking too fast. As the altitude gets higher the air gets thinner. Making it more difficult to breath, and due to this it seems the bags gets heavier.
Nearing the cabin, I had a glimpse of frost and snow, I was then able to confirm there will be snow on our final day.
The 369 cabin is almost similar to Qika, except that there is more table on the lawn. This cabin is carve in the mountain so just staying here, the view was already mesmerizing. I did not felt that cold in this place, I think its because the 120 beds are all occupied. I hate cramp space, but during that time it was very okay.

Crampons 101

First glimpse of Ice

Yes, it almost made me cry!

But a guide has another story, He said that when winds hit this area, it makes a sound similar to crying.

Rest stop before start of the "Crying Slope" Trail

Photo Credit to Neil Wade

Photo Credit to Neil Wade

Rest Stop from crying slope

At around 3000 masl, found this bonsai bamboos similar to Mt. Pulag

The left most peak is the summit of Xueshan

The Holy Ridge can seen. The ridge is hikeable, but 5 days on a heavy bag.

First glimpse of snow

cramp cabin

369 cabin

Photo credit to Avik Samantha

On the final day of of our climb, we woke up very early so that we may be able to catch the sunrise at the peak. As we were walking on the early part the of the trail,  it was snowing. Contrary to the previous day it was very gloomy. The stars we saw last night were now nowhere to be found. The trails are still very established and composed of switchbacks. As we go higher the snow on the ground becomes thicker and the falling snow becomes was more frequent. As we enter Black Forest the ground becomes fully covered with snow, the large rocks on the trail were almost hidden. There are parts which were also covered with ice, that one from our team slipped. "Catch him, catch him" yelled our guide, else he might have fallen into a ravine. On the middle of our trek the guides informed us that it was time to wear our crampons since the snow was now very thick. As we moved out of the forest the falling snow was already a storm. Blowing hard and giving intense cold, there are times I need to hid my face to prevent cold wind from hitting it. The trail was now more steep but still composed of several switchback. As cold, pain on the legs and hard breathing was all over me. It made me think for a while "Why am I doing these? Is it really worth doing this hardship"? But as we were almost to the top, dawn starts to make the entire place more clear. Clouds are passing and covering the summit. We had a good view of the whole place. Sunrise was there! I had the great  feeling that everything was all wort it. I have reached the 2nd highest point in Taiwan and considered the most beautiful hike in this country.
We took pictures, congratulated each one for a feat not easy to do. It was really difficult breathing on this altitude.  I think the oxygen level at the summit is 40% less than on sea level. After a few minutes we decided to go down.

The black forest was very very amazing on daylight. Large trees, snow covered rocks, icycle on streams, deer tracks. These were some of the great views that can be seen. After resting for a while on 369 cabin, we continued our decent to the trailhead. Then it drizzled. Just great! Its a four season hike - sun, snow, rain, trek at night, what else can you asked for! 

snow and dark, not a good combination

snow storm while resting

summit marker

Conquered!

Team "United Nations"
Photo Credit to Neil Wade

Sunrise!

Photo Credit to Neil Wade

Icycles

Trek Buddy Ian

We made it again to the summit, on less effort and clear skies!

Photo Credit to Neil Wade

We were really lucky, considering according to our guide it was raining the whole time the previous weeks. I thank God for giving me a good experience and keeping me safe on this whole trip. ;)





Nature-ral High Tips:

If you are plannig to climb this mountain here are some of my tips: 

• Train hard - The mountain is difficult specially on winter. And if you are joining a group like I did, make sure you will not be a liability to the team
• Get a guide - Unless you live in Taiwan and is very familiar with the place and the language. I suggest you get a guide. There are two main issues for tourist like me, logistics and equipments. Its hard to DIY a trip on a foreign land, and bring all your cooking equipment (and food).
• Invest on good gears - Buy good and light gears. It will make your life easier, remember as I have said on my blog, the bags gets heavier as the altitude gets higher.
• Bring a large bag - I brought a 50 liter bag and just for my sleeping bag half of the space is already gone. I compressed all my things, this made me pack everything. But compressing takes time, the result is that I am almost always the last one to pack my things. 
• Use poles - Trekking poles is a must on winter climbs, other than it help you move the weight from your knees, it will help you not to slip on ice. Use the poles before the climb, to ensure you are already comfortable on the actual climb itself.  
• Climb a 2K masl mountain - Try hiking a 2k masl mountain on a long trail to know how your body will react (and get accustom) to high altitudes. Gradual climbing is the key. 

Related : Taipei, Taiwan Side Trips

Mt. Sicapoo Climbing Updates

Mt. Sicapoo viewed from summit of Mt. Timarid

A friend of mine was supposed to climb Mt. Sicapoo this long weekend. Unfortunately, there was some abrupt changes in the guiding and porter system. The family who do the guideship suddenly raised the prices. Guide is now 500 to 1000 and porter is 1000 to 1500 per day. From what I know the first climbers affected by  of these changes where the climbers who had their climb last December, and they knew the changes after doing the climb. 

ONe Degree Mountaineering Group (ODMG) is the pioneer in exploring this mountain and the group responsible in introducing to the mountaineering community. They are the one who set-up the guiding system, reservation on climbing, how many can climb per day and any other important matters to keep the mountain clean and minimize environmental impact. ODMG is now keeping their hands off on their matter, but I'm hoping they will would ask assistance from the locality to bring back a system and work things out amicably

Since the mountain is now unregulated, climbers are now going directly to the guiding family without following the system provided by ODMG. 

My friend by the way decided to cancel his climb. 

Below are the exact words of ODMGs Archie Pinzon that has been posted on FaceBook. 


The ONE DEGREE MOUNTAINEERING GROUP (ODMG) as of today, January 14, 2015 would like to officially announce our complete and absolute cessation of assistance and support to any and all individuals and groups - organized, freelance or legitimate mountaineering groups and clubs - seeking to climb Mt. Sicapoo and its subsidiary peaks of Mt. Simmagaysay, Mt. Timarid, Mt. Saulay, Mt. Bubuos, Mt. Balbalite, Mt. Pakpako and Mt. Matalidong, found in the town of Solsona, Ilocos Norte. This is in response to recent reports of events that have reached us regarding unrestrained escalation of guide and porter fees, due primarily to some hiker groups circumventing our advisory and documentation processes and going directly to the guides to arrange climbs. We are also aware that our suggestions for policies of a one climb party at a time and a maximum number of hikers per party have largely been ignored. Already, we are receiving reports of increased garbage and litter in designated campsites and along the trails and river crossings. Penguin Rock at the summit of Mt. Sicapoo now has graffiti and markings and have been repeatedly scaled despite our pleas for it to be left untouched.

It would appear that our efforts all these years, since 2009 when we first explored and summitted Penguin Rock on Mt. Sicapoo and shared this mountaineering destination to the community, have been in vain. Now, word has also reached us, that some who have trekked to Mt. Sicapoo already have advised other groups and their friends that they could arrange climbs with Tata Emilio and other guides directly and there is no need to go through ODMG nor follow our Trek Advisory. Our action now, it seems, is already belated and one that we should have done a long time ago. We have taken it upon ourselves for the past five years to document, arrange and control treks up Mt. Sicapoo primarily to ensure climbers’ safety and wellbeing as well as to preserve and protect the mountain’s natural pristine environment. This responsibility that we have done over the years is one that we have borne voluntarily and have done so in the same capacity – and one which we will no longer fulfill from hereon.

We would like to express our gratitude to all groups and individuals who have supported our efforts all these years to protect and preserve not only the pristine environment of this majestic peak but also the almost sacred and profound experience of each mountaineer which is our collective duty as fellow hikers.

Agyaman kami apo,
Agnes Pinzon for ONE DEGREE MOUNTAINEERING GROUP

Return to Mt. Balingkilat and the Bees

  It had been 4 years since my last climb to Mt. Balingkilat. Though I had not set foot into its trail for several years, the mountain has always been on my horizon everytime I went back to Nagsasa Cove. "It is great to be back" as what they say. And I am glad to be back to this mountain. As expected the mountain was as hot and humid as always. The grass is taller and it blocks any breeze in the mountain which make the climb more scorching. Plus add to the peril was that I was down with a fever a few days before the climb. Nevertheless the view is always mesmerizing.Unlike my previous climb, we make sure to pitch a tent knowing that a storm was brewing. When the rain came, we where snuggle on the comfort of our tent. The last time I was here, we were not able to summit due to incremental rains. This time we where able to set foot on the 1,100 masl height but fog was present. Sadly the 360 degrees view was not there.

Dry River

Sitting  beside a cliff

Group who climbed before us

Stiff Trail

Camp 1, the fog starts to set in

Camp Socials

Camp in the morning

Balingkilat version of "sea of clouds"

Waterfalls at 1000 MASL

 As we were traversing the mountain the next day, another group went well ahead of us. From a distance we saw them as if having an emergency, hurriedly we rush down to offer some help. Little did we know someone from their group went off trail and have stirred a wild bees nest. As they are moving away, we were closing in to the nest. From three bees at a time it began to become a swarm. Attacking us like kamikaze dive bombers even far away from their nest, they attacked us for almost an hour. I never thought I could sprint in that kind of location. The traverse trail normally takes 3 hours and we did it in less than 2. I think around 5-10 bees got me, one even went inside my mouth. I was thinking of crushing it with my teeth so that I can exact vengeance but decided to spit it out haha. In my long mileage of hiking I thought I have experience everything, little did I knew.


We were only able to escape when a guide started a fire and created a smoke screen, sacrificing some stings in return. We when far away and safe, the adrenalin started to die down. It was only then that one of my buddy realized he lost his Rudy Project shades. Broke his pole when he fell down over me (almost pushing me to the cliff). We also lost his our appetite during our lunch, proof that we overworked ourselves. In any case, we were very happy we completed our trek without any injuries. 

This only prooves that we should always follow LNT Principles.  
Principle #2 says Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces - Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.Getting off trail get us into lot of troubles. For complete list of principles - click here.  

Traverse Trail, a group went ahead of us

The commotion we thought needed help

The bee I found inside my shirt

Pinaglabanan River

Rappeling 101 at Bitbit Bridge

  I had my few experience of rappelling (sort of)... growing up in a farm there were some work that sometimes you need to  hang yourself whenever I help my dad. I recall in my younger years I also had tried going down on a rope but without a harness.  I also tried wall climbing which in some way, is rappelling. 
So last week, we organize a rappelling activity in the office. We were a group of 10 weekend warriors. The location was in Bitbit bridge in Norzagaray Bulacan. A 100-foot bridge (approx. the height of the 10 storey building) along the Angat and Ipo dam reservoir. We hired a rappelling instructor who has 14 years experience in ropes. 

   Basically, after the provider giving us a short lecture on how to rappel properly,  we went to the bridge. The jumper master  (that is how they are normally called) anchored the ropes on the bridge and started placing the harness on those who are ready to do the jumping. 

  

Gearing up

The Traditional Rappel

 The Aussie Rappel

Game Gals!

View from Below

 Traditional (Walled) Rappel

Loading up after a fun filled day!

 All in all it was a fun experience. The most difficult part is starting your jump and getting off the platform specially on the 'aussie' style of rappelling. Each jump I can always feel my heart beating fast. I guess I am still human after  all.