See the peak directly

Base camp Tataka

Breakfast is somehow sparse. But at 5 pm I am not really hungry. Nevertheless we have to get some energy as we do not know exactly what is waiting for us.

The night was short again. The lodge is quite comfortable for a mountain cabin but of course something different compared to a hotel. So a little bit tired but excited as well we are waiting for the car to take as to the Yushan national park entrance.

At the entrance for YuShan-Trail

After a short drive in a crowded small bus from Tataka to the national park, we finally stay at the base of the Yushan hiking trail. Approximately 30 people are waiting for the sign of their mountain guides to start.

A narrow path winds up on a very steep hillside towards the maountain. The tops are covered by clouds. And still the main peak hides behind some hills in the foreground.

Mist ...

prevents from a good visibilty. But this is very charming nonetheless. Again the graduation in gree-blue to grey colored hills in the distance is quite amazing.

Getting up higher and higher on the path we do lots of breaks to shot pictures and pictures. Again and gain. That's not to bad because we have to take care about the hight. The air is getting thinner and thinner. And not ot overheat is quite a good idea.

... and rain

The way to Paiyun-Lodge is divided into four stages. Which means we have the first rest at 2 kilomteres. The middle one is a long break to have a noodle soup and some coffee.

We think of climbing up on west peak but the trail would be very steep and would take up to 4 hours. That's to long and risky to arrive in the dark.

Receiving first stage: Paiyun Lodge

3402 meter above sea level. That's the first time ever for me at this altitude reached on my one feet. We arrive early afternoon and it's comfortably cold!

The cabin is equiped quite simple. Not much differnet to mountain cabins we are used to. There is a kitchen and the guides are serving the meal. Tomorrow we will go for the sunrise on top of Yushan. That means get up at 2 am and start climbing at 3 in the darkness. But only 600 meters in altitude are let.