We talked about this last weekend. Some members want to do a safe hike. As several of us have never climbed this mountain, the highest in the Taipei area, we thought it would make a good day’s outing.
We will be joining Richard Saunder’s group (Richard is the author of the Taipei Day Trips books). The hike will do a circuit of the mountain and take in the mysterious pyramid at the top, said to be the start of a tunnel to Ilan and various UFO landings. Ahem.
I will post more about meeting times and such but be warned that for Richard’s group they are usually 8am at Shilin MRT. For Yangmingshan it is necessary to get in and out early. Hey, I didn’t make the rules.
This is Chi shing shan, right? I did it recently on my own. It was lunch time by the time I reached the top. It was a food fight up there. Grannies, mobile phone MP3 players and kids. Going early sound best.
Still waiting on an answer to # 1 as well, but I can help with # 2.
Richard Saunders is the guy who wrote the Taipei Day Trips 1 and 2 books. He is a knowledgeable hiking guide and frequently leads hikes in the area. I’ve seen them published in the local paper. I think that Mucha_Man’s idea is that our group, however many that is, will join up with Richard’s group this time as Richard’s group already has a hike planned to this location this weekend. Fine with me as I’ve been wanting to do that for some time. Hope the weather improves.
Gravity works differently up here, ever watched the water going down the plug hole in Oz? Facsinating! Watch out for the gravity Ironman. It makes your legs buckle.
Sure. If you start from the car park near the visitor centre (go to Starbucks and keep heading up until you find it) it is a round trip of four hours. I’m not a speedy walker, but I’m no slack arse either. My feeling is that if this cold weather remains there be plenty of folk up there enjoying the temperature. Crazy people.
If you decide to drive be warned that you now have to pay for parking by the hour, including motorbikes. I think my bill ended up at about $200 for a car, don’t know if it differs for bikes. It used to be that the old lady would come round and stamp your ticket, but they have a new automated car park now.
Well worth the effort, don’t wimp out and stop at the garden. be warned it gets much harder when you’ve passed that.
I think we’re in need of a title change. Something like “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” Too bad a stupid movie stole that one, because if we could’ve thought of an “S” word, we could’ve been “L.E.G.S.”
I want to go hiking on Saturday, but fair warning: I’m normally a non-aquatic hiker. I’m definitely a non-arctic, non-aquatic hiker.
By the way - for some of us, going to Shilin MRT station first would be out of the way. Any idea where the eventual meeting place is on the mountain (starting point)? If not, any way to check?
Mucha_Man, yes, I was thinking of driving the scooter to the starting point, vs. coming to the MRT station, but not mandatory. I’d like to know about that option if not too much trouble to ask. Jiantan, not Shilin, is noted.
And, if you’re asking, can you inquire about the total hike time please? Thanks.
