Taroko National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as the Taroko N. P. HQ) will build a refuge mountain cabin at the Marble Camp on the East Ridge of Qilai trail in order to meet the emergency refuge needs of those who climb the East Ridge of Qilai. From July 2 to July 12, 2023, the Xiaofengkou parking lot at Mt. Hehuan is closed. After the completion of the marble refuge mountain cabin, it will be connected with the existing refuge mountain cabins such as Mt. Panshi Central Peak and North Saddle Threeway Junction, which will greatly improve the safety of mountaineering on the Qilai East Ridge Route.
According to The Taroko N. P. HQ, Qilai East Ridge includes Qilai North Peak (3607 m), Panshi Mountain (3106 m), Taroko Mountain (3286 m), Liwu Mountain (3070 m), and Patuolu Mountain (3101 m), mountains over 3000 meter high, with steep terrain and large weather changes. These are mountaineering routes that many mountain lovers like to challenge, and it is also a route that is prone to mountain accidents in the jurisdiction of the Taroko N. P. HQ.
Take Care of Fellow Hikers and Protect the Environment
Taroko N. P. HQ stated that after the completion of the Marble Refuge Mountain cabin, it can accommodate 12 people for refuge, and a Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC) will be placed in the mountain cabin, which can help mountaineers with altitude sickness. In addition, considering the retreat of the water source in the high mountains, it is difficult for mountaineers to get water. Therefore, the mountain cabin has also set up water storage facilities to collect rainwater for mountaineers to use, reducing the risk of trekking to fetch water. Since the water storage is affected by the weather, mountaineers are also requested to cherish water sources. At the same time, an ecological toilet is also set up outside the mountain cabin, which not only meets the needs of people, but also maintains the ecological environment of the mountain. It minimizes the environmental impact of mountaineering activities on the mountain.
Taroko N. P. HQ further emphasized that in order to improve the safety of mountaineering, two refuge mountain cabins, Panshi Central Peak and "North Saddle Threeway Junction were completed on the east edge of Qilai in 2022. Since the " North Saddle Threeway Junction mountain cabin is located in the middle of the mountaineering route, it will take about 3 to 4 days going east to the Yuewang Pavilion exit on the Central Cross-Island Highway, or going west to Hehuan Mountain. There is no refuge mountain cabin, only campgrounds on the way to the east exit. Once there is a need for rescue in mountainous areas, if the weather is bad, rescue helicopters will not be able to rescue in time, and it will take 3 to 4 days for ground rescuers to reach the people, which will easily delay the rescue time. Therefore, the addition of the "Marble Camp Refuge Mountain cabin" will not only provide additional refuge, but also increase the probability of successful rescue in the mountain area.
The Mt. Hehuan- Xiaofengkou parking lot will be temporarily closed in conjunction with the construction project from July 2nd, 2023 to July 12th, 2023.
In order to transport the building materials of the mountain cabin, Taroko N. P. HQ has requested the helicopter of the National Airborne Service Corps to assist in the hanging. From 6:00 pm on July 2, 2023 to July 12, 2023, the building material transportation operation will be carried out at the Xiaofengkou parking lot of Hehuan Mountain. During the construction period, Mt. Hehuan Xiaofengkou parking lot will be closed. At the same time, Qilai East Ridge Mountaineering Route the North Saddle Threeway Junction Camp and the Marble Campground are also prohibited from camping. Please cooperate with the control measures. After the mountain cabin is completed, the opening time will be announced.