Start of the walk
The sunny weather on the day we set off to 'conquer' the Snow Mountain (雪山) provided us with some excellent view straight from the carpark. Hiking in Taiwan is certainly different to Scotland or New Zealand. But the mountains and the view are equally stunning. Also seems that New Zealand is not the only place sporting Long White Clouds :)
Little bit misty - and mysterious....
The sunny and clear weather did not quite follow for the rest of the day. As we ascended, mist shrouded the surrounding peaks, limiting the visibility to a few meters. While we could not admire the promised views, the weather brought some mystery to the hike. Which each step, constantly changing shapes and shadows emerged from the distance. With each step you expected a mysterious creature to emerge. What was that? Is that a tree or is that some animal?
Dinner above the clouds
We made to the 369 Cabin just in time to get some cooking and sunset action together. Cooking above the clouds is an experience in itself. But it got even better with some seriously nice, freshly prepared (with all fresh ingredients!) ginger chicken noodle offered by a couple of fellow walkers. Forget about light&fast - welcome to 'food first' approach.The cabin can host some 160 people and it gets pretty busy outside when the dinner time comes. Avoiding weekends when walking in Taiwan is a good idea…
Nightfall
The night draws in quickly. The temperature drops. Time to join the snoring and plastic-bag orchestra of the cabin...
Barren landscape
Nearby the cabin the forest was mostly destroyed by the fire. Although new trees are establishing already, the white, lifeless tree trunks provide a stark reminder of the event.
Walking in the sea of gold
Two walkers, heading towards the Snow Mountain main peak, cross sun-bathed field of native grass. The surrounding mountains provide a picturesque backdrop to the walk. In the distance you can see the rather distinctive peak of the Central Range Point (中央尖山) - 3705m high.
Time witness
Some of the trees on the way take amazing shapes and forms. They remain standing against the odds and changing times. Their bare branches are like wrinkles of old people: the evidence of passing time and wisdom.
Twisted
Apparently there are some Taiwanese Black Bears living around the track. Well, no sign of these when we walked - but plenty more of interestingly shaped trees...
The Central Range Point (中央尖山), at 3705m high, is one of teh most distinctive peaks surrounding .
The Central Range Point (中央尖山), at 3705m high, is one of the most distinctive peaks surrounding around. With the symmetrical, knobby in some ways, shape poking above other mountains in the distance and often surrounded by clouds, it screams to be photographed.
March of ants
Like ants, a steady stream of hikers are traversing the ridge. The scale of the Snow Mountain is not always apparent when walking. Focused on the track and each step towards the distant goal we often ignore the sheer size of the task and the mountain. t is just such a clear demonstration of how small and insignificant humans are once out in the nature.
Ants
Like ants, a steady stream of hikers are traversing the ridge. The scale of the Snow Mountain is not always apparent when walking. Focused on the track, we often ignore the sheer size of the task and the mountain. But stop and look at those ahead and you realise how small we are in the face of the nature. Little ants making their way to the peak...
The peak
I am sure that this is just one of the many peaks. Not the first, not the last one. Done it. Time to head back - after some scramble up the side pick that is!
View from the Northern Small Peak (Beilengjiao Peak) 北角峰 (北稜角峰)
Once reaching the mian peak (雪山), there is only one more necessary thing to do: to walk (or scramble) to the nearby Northern Small Peak (Beilengjiao Peak - 北角峰, 北稜角峰) to get a glimpse of the 3886m peak and it's surrounding. It takes only some 15 minutes up the rocky wall - but offers some magnificent views. Including the peak of The Central Range Point (中央尖山) nicely peaking from between the clouds. The zig-zagging path is the main approach to the peak. Magnificent range.
a little bit busy
Weekends can be a little busy up there. Despite a strict control and permits - the path can get a little bit crowded at times...
FS1_4501
queue
Up in a line we go! Not something that you normally expect when hiking!
Last glimpse at the Snow Mountain
On the way back, the light was pretty good (considering the previous days) and Hsuehshan looked nice bathed in teh morning sun. The contrasty, lush green only added some extra punch to the view. Oh well, guess would need to come back!
FS1_5485 Panorama
