Never that I expected to experience Huang Di Dian Ridge because my initial intention in visiting Taiwan is to experience its highest point, the Jade Mountain. The experience turned out to be as good and as pleasant as my other international climb.
On my way to Taiwan with some Trail Adventours Hike participants, I did not check my itinerary due to my super busy schedule. All I had in mind is that during our travel, there will be two days devoted to Jade Mountain and there would be free day for us to discover Taipei. My simple objectives are to simply see Taipei 101 Building and to reach the summit of Taiwan’s highest peak.
The idea of having a day hike prior to our Jade Mountain experience surfaced when we were on our way from to the hotel from the airport. When it was suggested, I did not hesitate to say “a big yes for me” because it was a mountain!
10:00 AM on November 28, 2013; barely 9 hours after arriving in Taiwan, we met at the Taipei Central Train Station. Only then I learned that we will be hiking at Huang Di Dian Ridge in Shihding.
Using the very efficient transportation system of Taipei (which I hope to have in Manila), we travelled to the jump off and arrived there at around 11:10 AM. Although almost sleepless, everyone’s excitement is visible through laughter and funny stories while on our way to Shihding.
After thirty minutes of buying supplies from a convenience store, we proceeded to the trail head which is justfew meters away from the bus stop. The first phase of our trek was a seemingly never ending winding stair to heaven. It was an hour of leg-muscle challenging journey on well-constructed series of granite stairs. It was stressful because our feet were forced to endure the ‘shuddering’ due to our body movement which can’t be absorbed by the hard granite.
On my way to Taiwan with some Trail Adventours Hike participants, I did not check my itinerary due to my super busy schedule. All I had in mind is that during our travel, there will be two days devoted to Jade Mountain and there would be free day for us to discover Taipei. My simple objectives are to simply see Taipei 101 Building and to reach the summit of Taiwan’s highest peak.
The idea of having a day hike prior to our Jade Mountain experience surfaced when we were on our way from to the hotel from the airport. When it was suggested, I did not hesitate to say “a big yes for me” because it was a mountain!
10:00 AM on November 28, 2013; barely 9 hours after arriving in Taiwan, we met at the Taipei Central Train Station. Only then I learned that we will be hiking at Huang Di Dian Ridge in Shihding.
Using the very efficient transportation system of Taipei (which I hope to have in Manila), we travelled to the jump off and arrived there at around 11:10 AM. Although almost sleepless, everyone’s excitement is visible through laughter and funny stories while on our way to Shihding.
After thirty minutes of buying supplies from a convenience store, we proceeded to the trail head which is justfew meters away from the bus stop. The first phase of our trek was a seemingly never ending winding stair to heaven. It was an hour of leg-muscle challenging journey on well-constructed series of granite stairs. It was stressful because our feet were forced to endure the ‘shuddering’ due to our body movement which can’t be absorbed by the hard granite.
That was I guess the longest one hour of trekking that I experienced in my entire mountaineering days. I had no choice but to force myself to look on the brighter perspective. I just convinced myself that the way to heaven is truly painful, challenging and difficult. And to experience the paradise which was promised by the Holy Redeemer, I need to endure the painful and challenging journey.
While on the never ending stair, my concept that the hike will be ending in a large view deck with little shops or stores and a good downhill view. It turned out to be far different and was even more!
While on the never ending stair, my concept that the hike will be ending in a large view deck with little shops or stores and a good downhill view. It turned out to be far different and was even more!
After an hour of hike, the stairs did not end in a view deck but in a ‘traditional’ trail. My excitement which was vaporized by the rigid granite steps was revitalized when I saw the obviously challenging trail along a very steep mountainside. This was the start of my ‘real’ Huang Di Dian adventure.
Our first stop was the picturesque uplifted rock strata which is few tens of meters from the end of the long granite stairs. It was unimaginable that the rock formation was once part of the ocean but was uplifted above the sea, and now around 500 MASL due to the movement of Philippine Sea Plate.
Our first stop was the picturesque uplifted rock strata which is few tens of meters from the end of the long granite stairs. It was unimaginable that the rock formation was once part of the ocean but was uplifted above the sea, and now around 500 MASL due to the movement of Philippine Sea Plate.
From the strata, we found ourselves trekking through a wide trail along the ridges; scaling cliffs with chain ladder; balancing (almost) on knife edges, and staring on the beautiful 'greenness'. It was challenging but very amusing!
Through out the hike, my buddy was Ms. Melva Co, a very passionate and strong mountaineer. Along the trail, we shared stories about our personal outdoor adventures. Her odysseys in different mountains in various countries were inspiring. Probably, there are only few Filipinas who accomplished similar outdoor adventures with that of Ms. Melva.
All the while I thought that we are climbing on a mountain with a very specific dominant peak. But as we walk through the winding knife edges, we realized that our adventure is not a ‘movie hike’ with one established climax but a ‘TV series hike’ where there is a lot of peaks to witness the various perspectives of beautiful natural landscape of Huang Di Dian. Every peak has its own unique downhill view to offer.
After passing through four to five peaks, we regrouped in a picturesque ridge where we had our groupie and brief rest. After more than 30 minutes of rest; we descended into another trail and then in series of granite stairs that brought us to hiker’s parking area.
Huang Di Dian is a natural monument that shows the love of Taiwanese to outdoor recreation. Along the trail, I met significant number of hikers in their retirement ages. The trail, although visibly a very popular hiking destination is clean and almost free from litters unlike the other hiking destinations that I visited before. In the eyes and smiles of local hikers, the patience and perseverance to complete the hike are very visible.
I guess all enjoyed the five-hour hike for all were still wearing smile when we reached the bus station.
Huang Di Dian is a natural monument that shows the love of Taiwanese to outdoor recreation. Along the trail, I met significant number of hikers in their retirement ages. The trail, although visibly a very popular hiking destination is clean and almost free from litters unlike the other hiking destinations that I visited before. In the eyes and smiles of local hikers, the patience and perseverance to complete the hike are very visible.
I guess all enjoyed the five-hour hike for all were still wearing smile when we reached the bus station.