Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau announced that after 35 minutes of snowfall on the evening of the 2nd, the snow on Yushan Mountain stopped. The Yushan National Park management reminded hikers today (3rd) that the trail from the broken stone slope to the summit of the main peak on Yushan Mountain is covered with snow and ice, urging mountain enthusiasts to assess the risks of snow climbing.
According to the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau, it snowed on Yushan Mountain from 8:40 pm to 9:15 pm on the 2nd. As of 6 am this morning, the Yushan weather station recorded 0.5 cm of snow accumulation.
The Yushan weather station under the Ministry of Transportation’s Central Weather Bureau observed snowfall on Yushan Mountain yesterday evening. The Yushan National Park management stated today that the trail from the broken stone slope to the summit of the main peak on Yushan Mountain is covered with snow and ice. The steep terrain, combined with the snow and ice accumulation, has made the trail slippery. Due to the strong wind speeds, the risk of slipping has significantly increased, requiring climbing skills in ice and rock.
In a Facebook post, the Yushan National Park management questioned how difficult it is to walk on icy trails in the mountains. They shared a rescue video on February 10, 2024, of the trail leading from the wind gap on the main peak line of Yushan to the saddle of the north peak of Yushan. The trail, which was supposed to be bare rock, was completely covered in ice due to freezing rain. The video showed how even with professional rescue personnel equipped with ice claws, ice axes, and safety helmets, the need for rope assistance made navigation difficult and prone to sliding into the valley, making falling the most fatal accident in mountain areas.
The Yushan National Park management pointed out that the trail from the broken stone slope to the summit of the main peak on Yushan Mountain currently has snow and ice accumulation. Due to the steep terrain and icy conditions, the trail is slippery. Additionally, the strong winds on-site have increased the risk of slipping. Therefore, technical skills in ice and rock climbing are required.
The Yushan National Park management urges hikers planning to climb the main and sub-peaks of Yushan to pay attention to the upcoming weather changes in the mountainous area (with another cold air mass moving southward from the 6th to the 8th) and the icy snow-covered trails. They advise adhering to the “Snow Area Strengthened Service Measures” regulations, bringing snow equipment (ice ax, ice claws, safety helmet), ensuring familiarity with operating snow equipment, conducting a risk assessment of snow climbing experience, and refraining from summiting hastily to ensure personal safety.
Furthermore, for those aiming to enhance their snow climbing skills, a search for “Snow Training” on Facebook or a web browser can lead to various mountaineering clubs or professional snow climbing guides offering training courses. Completing these training programs before attempting snow climbing can increase safety. Another high-quality suggestion: on such cold days, staying in the warmth of your home is also a good option.