This is a question for all the hikers out there. My friend and I want to apply for a permit to hike Yushan this year, but the application form asks for insurance information. I’ve searched all around the web, asked around at hiking stores and called an insurance company, but I can’t find any sort of 登山意外險 policy that meets the requirements. It seems that most hiking groups just get 旅遊平安險, but that doesn’t cover mountains over 3000 meters. I wish we didn’t have to get insurance at all, but since we do, I’d rather get insurance that actually covers what we’re doing.
Can anyone shed some light on this conundrum? Also, is insurance only required for Yushan, or do you need it for the rest of the 百岳 as well? Thanks very much.
Gee, I wonder if this is related to that other thread about the missing hiker? Awesome if it was the case that the governement wanted you to insure yourself against their mismanaged rescues failing to find you and you’re family suing them later!
Ha, I don’t think it’s related to that–I think it’s always been required. And I’ve got to say, it’s pretty annoying that the park requires insurance when they can’t even tell you where to get it.
Isn’t there a req’t that guided groups have an insurance policy provided by the guide? So it might be on the form for that reason. But I would just put your NHI info or make up some traveller’s policy on the form.
On another note - good luck getting a permit unless you are planning on a weekday. Yu Shan was nice but I went with a guided group that already had the permit (the only reason I picked the trip). The peak itself is very anti-climatic since it’s just the tall point on the ridge, although watching the sunrise from up top is pretty cool. And it’s highly likely that there are dozens of trails that are just as scenic or more scenic and don’t have 40-50 other hikers on them.
There is no cabin at the moment and won’t be until very late this year at the earliest. Which means you can theoretically get a day permit only. It’s a good time to go if you can handle 14-16 hours of hiking. Lots of wildlife now that few people are going up. Even Formosan black bear have been spotted in recent months.
Disagree with Aba on one point: the peak is sublime. But yes there are many other trails worth doing equally.
[quote=“Nuit”]I don’t know the area at all, but what’s to stop you taking a tent up and camping near to Paiyun.
a) not allowed
b) no room due to the rebuilding
c) too much effort[/quote]
a
you’d think they’d relax that little rule whilst the hut is being rebuilt. I could handle the 15 hr hike, but at 9up, 6down you’d only be summiting at 1pm earliest, which is not the time of day i like to be on top of a 3000m+ peak.
If i had a bivvy bag, i’d be taking that along and rolling myself up somewhere near the hut.
you’d think they’d relax that little rule whilst the hut is being rebuilt. I could handle the 15 hr hike, but at 9up, 6down you’d only be summiting at 1pm earliest, which is not the time of day I like to be on top of a 3000m+ peak.
If I had a bivvy bag, I’d be taking that along and rolling myself up somewhere near the hut.[/quote]
And if found fined heavily. There is another cabin way up high at Yuanfeng, but it’s not that pleasant to stay because of the altitude (and makes for a long first day with a pack). Make sure you spend the night at Tatajia first to acclimatize.
1pm on the peak is no big deal. I’ve been up there at that time and on lots of other peaks. You’re not likely to get much of a view but otherwise it’s not a big deal.
I got an email from the park today, and it looks like we’re going to be approved to stay at Yuanfeng. There’s also a campground, 荖濃溪營地, which we were planning on staying at for a night. Has anyone stayed there before? What’s it like?
Oh, and what are the options for sleeping in Tataka?
Ha, I just figured out that OP means me. I do realize that it’s going to be a tough hike, but I think we’ll be fine. I’ve done a lot of physically challenging stuff in Taiwan, my friend climbed Xueshan last year, and we’re both avid hikers. Actually, I feel like we’re lucky to have a chance to go when fewer people are going to be on the mountain.
[quote=“haokaiyang”]I got an email from the park today, and it looks like we’re going to be approved to stay at Yuanfeng. There’s also a campground, 荖濃溪營地, which we were planning on staying at for a night. Has anyone stayed there before? What’s it like?
Oh, and what are the options for sleeping in Tataka?[/quote]
Oh, you’ve got a place at Yuanfeng. Well done. Don’t camp though. One you don’t want to carry the extra weight so high, and two it will be very cold; if the weather is bad, absolutely miserable. The campground is just a clearing by the cabin, which itself is a bit rough but workable. The main problem is sleeping so high can give you a major headache and possible altitude sickness.
The Laonong River campground is on the other side of the saddle before the top of Yushan. If you spent the night in Yuanfeng you would have to carry your full pack almost to the top of Yushan and then down to the campground. Doesn’t make much sense. Base yourself at Yuanfeng and hit the south peaks in addition to the Main and North. Few people do these.
Tataka has a small hostel. 049 270 2213. You can arrange meals in advance.
Thanks, Mucha Man. My original plan was to stay at the Laonong River campground for the last night after coming down from the main, north and east peaks, but it would probably be a better idea just to leave our extra stuff at Yuanfeng and travel light. I still think it would be fun to camp for a night, though. Surely it won’t get ridiculously cold in June?
Take a couple of aspirins a day as a potential prevention for high altitude sleeping prolbems and headaches, though there’s no guarantee it’ll work it does work for some and there’s no harm done either.
have fun!
it’s a great walk if the weather cooperates, but can get miserably cold if it’s 3 degrees and mist all the time.
I do realize that it’s going to be a tough hike, but I think we’ll be fine. I’ve done a lot of physically challenging stuff in Taiwan, my friend climbed Xueshan last year, and we’re both avid hikers. Actually, I feel like we’re lucky to have a chance to go when fewer people are going to be on the mountain.