SOLO HIKING TAIWAN’S 'DEADLIEST' PEAK (單攻奇萊北峰) 有中文CC！

Trying something different this week with a silent hiking movie (my homage to @Kraig Adams) that hopefully showcases the scenery rather than my inane ramblings!
With a history of accidents and deaths over several decades, Mt Qilai in Nantou County has long been talked about as Taiwan’s 'deadliest' peak.
Standing at 3,607m, the north peak of Mt Qilai is a dangerous looking granite monolith that pokes out intimidatingly from the surrounding ridges. Its dark appearance and bad reputation have earned it the ominous nickname “Black Qilai.”
Join Richard as he puts those concerns to one side to climb this challenging, yet beautiful beast and find out if Qilai's reputation is truly deserved.

13:15 How to do this hike:

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The Trail
Accommodation on the trail needs to be booked in advance. You can reserve cabin space on the trail’s lodges up to one month in advance on the National Park website here (https://npm.cpami.gov.tw/en/apply_1_2.aspx?unit=e6dd4652-2d37-4346-8f5d-6e538353e0c2).
The Qilai trail is not for beginners. From the trailhead it slopes downhill for around 4km to Heishuitang Cabin (黑水塘山屋) before beginning a roughly 2km steep uphill section to the ridgeline.
The uphill section is tough going and involves a lot of rope work and loose rocky sections.
It’s a real test of your lower leg strength.
Once on the ridge line it is around 200m to Qilai Cabin (奇萊山屋) which sleeps just 8 people. From the cabin it is 3km along the ridge to Qilai Main Peak (奇萊), or 1.5km in the opposite direction to the North Peak (奇萊).
The North Peak is considerably more difficult than the main. It has several rocky sections that could be treacherous in bad weather. The weather is also known to change quickly so check forecasts before attempting to summit.
At above 3,500m there is also the possibility of altitude sickness on both peaks.
The weather at this altitude differs greatly depending on the season and snow and ice are a possibility in winter so plan ahead for the weather conditions.
You will need to take your own food on the hike, and some water purification equipment as the only water sources are mountain streams.

Travel Logistics
The trailhead is located right behind the Ski Lodge (滑雪山莊), about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot at the Hehuanshan National Forest Recreation Area (合歡山神林遊樂區) and down some steps from the Song Xue Lodge (松雪樓).
It takes about two and a half hours to drive there from Taichung City.
Public transport is also available.
Nantou Bus has a number of services, including one that departs from Taichung (both at Gancheng Station and the High-Speed Rail Station), stopping at Puli and Qingjing Farm (清境農場).
Details are here (http://www.ntbus.com.tw/en-cjfm.html).
The last leg from Qingjing Farm to Mt. Hehuan can be done on the 6658A bus (http://www.ntbus.com.tw/cj-m.html).

Drones
As Mt. Qilai is part of Taroko National Park, you need to apply for a permit to use a drone.
The permit process is quite straightforward and the form is in English.
Download the form and regulations here (https://www.taroko.gov.tw/en/Event/NewsDetail?id=6721).
A useful reference tool and map on drone restrictions in Taiwan can be found here (https://www.flyerlee.com/drone-restricted-airspace-in-taiwan/).

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