Snow Mountain (Syue Shan) Taiwan

Trekking up Snow Mountain 雪山 (Syue Shan) of Taiwan from 22-29 April 2017 with actual hiking dates from 24-26 April, 3D2N ... at an altitude of 3,886m, Snow Mountain is the second highest mountain in Taiwan. 

The team put up one night at Wuling Farm Resort (武陵農場) (1,740m) before the hike; it is the trail head of Snow Mountain and it is also a tourists attraction farm in Heping District, Taichung. From Taipei, it is about 6 hours of bus journey to Wuling Farm Resort. 

Trekking Schedule:

Day 1 – 6 hours of hiking to 369 Lodge (三六九山莊) (in drizzle for the entire journey)

Day 2 – 4 hours of hiking to Snow Mountain peak

Day 3 – 4 hours descent to trailhead from 369 Lodge (in drizzle for the entire journey)

Temperature at 369 Lodge at night is 5 ºC; hence, a good sleeping bag is critical for a comfortable sleep. My 65-litre Deuter backpack weighted almost 18kg that included common ration for the group. The food for cooking was equally distributed and help carried by each team members to 369 Lodge.

Do CLICK HERE to view 168 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong. For viewing via smartphone, maximum zoom in is possible.

Part 2 - Do click here to view photos of sightseeing places after the Snow Mountain hike.

 A complete group photo while having dinner at Wuling Farm Resort; seated front, left is the committed bus driver who fetch us around for the entire trip

The weather – as informed by the experienced bus driver, the month of April is a rainy month. The rain comes in fine drizzle that can last a whole day or even a few days. For a drier month, hike between mid-May to mid-June. The rain and typhoon will come again from July onward.

The bus driver – his name is Chow and with respect, we called him Chow ker (bro Chow). It is almost same sound as Chaw Ge, a Malaysian Chinese singer based in Taiwan. During his younger days, he is an avid outdoor person who can trek in the mountains for 47 continuous days.

 Getting ready at the trailhead, which is within Wuling Farm Resort

Trails to the peak – This is a pleasant and safe mountain to hike with well-marked trails. Unlike other trails where both sides are cliff (e.g. Mount Rinjani, Lantau HK Peak, etc) and pose the danger of falling off the cliff, there isn’t such experience at the trails of Snow Mountain. Gaining elevation is very gradual and one does not need to have sudden surge of power for ascent, worsen by the heavy backpack. Though the journey to the summit and return can be hurriedly done in 2D1N, completing the journey in 3D2N would be a better option. Putting up extra night at 369 Lodge is a nice experience to have more time to enjoy the nature.

Hiking in snow – We were told that one Malaysian slipped and fell to his death during winter hiking where the trails were covered with snow.  

 Arriving at Qika Lodge which is about one hour from the trailhead

 A scenic view en route to 369 Lodge ... the white circle is the helicopter landing pad (for emergency evacuation)

 Arriving at 369 Lodge ... outdoor dining table

 Bunk beds with 1cm think rubberize mattress ... one must bring a good sleeping bag

 Kitchen area that can cater for multiple groups' cooking needs; there are two taps with ample supply of mountain water during the wet months

 Our group preparing the food for cooking dinner; the other group is training for outdoor survival skill

 A clean toilet but without water; thus, the toilet is smelly

 Day 2 morning ... the team is getting ready to hike to Snow Mountain peak

 Heading towards Black Forest ... the 369 Lodge is at the lower end of the hill

 Unique and scenic view of Black Forest

 The misty Black Forest with the dense pine tress

Arriving at Snow Mountain peak ... (Front, left) Wee, Michelle Wong, TehWE, Evie Chen; (back, left) PhoonKF, Ginger Lee, George Siew, Karen Yeoh, Karen Lee, Yoong, KC Leong.

Posted by KC Leong

KDCF Trail Run

Trail running at Kota Damansara Community Forest (KDCF) starting from Taman Rimba Riang, Seksyen 9 for a round trip of about 13km in 3 hr 30 min on Saturday 8 April 2017. En route to Seksyen 10 and return, the group detoured to Denai Peak.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours trully (KC Leong).

 Trailhead at Taman Rimba Riang ... (left) Jamie See, June Lau, Lina, Mei Ying, George Siew, ChongYF, David Chung, Celes Yap, Elsie Liew, Christine Yap, KC Leong

 Useful and new trail map of Kota Damansara Community Forest

 The happy cho-cho train 

 Admiring the landscape at Denai Peak

 At Denai Peak

At Seksyen 10, the other end of the trailhead

Posted by KC Leong

Post-outing Dinner in Hong Kong

After completing the 31km on Day 3, we returned to Ibis Hotel at North Point; refreshed and rested for a while, and we were out for dinner at 7:30 p.m.

The team members decided to have a sumptuous dinner in celebrating the completion of the 3-day outing and equally important, in appreciation of the effort of Edwin Goh, Team Lead for leading the pack in Lantau Trail and Hong Kong Trail.

The restaurant near to Ibis Hotel was packed with diners. The person who stole the show has to be the stylo-milo WTF restaurant captain with rosy complexion. He was very good in public relation: he mingled and even took selfie photos with the dinners. He could perform moon walk in the restaurant, much to the amusement and adoration of everyone. After introducing ourselves, he said, "Ah, you guys are from Ma Lai." Later, upon knowing that our food was delayed, he actually said "what the ***k" to the kitchen staff through his walkie-talkie. 

We also spotted a Hong Kong movie star dinning in the same restaurant; and he was very sporting to come to our table to have a group photo with us. 

The food in Hong Kong was delicious, and the mood in the restaurant was jovial. 

It was a memorable three days of outing together, and the team is considering to organize other DIY trail run/hiking events in Korea and Taiwan.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Ordering food with the stylo-milo restaurant captain

 One of the delicious food/dishes

  Good PR ... mingle and selfie with dinners

Group photo with a Hong Kong movie star (centre)

Room with the harbour view ... my room in Ibis Hotel, North Point, Hong Kong which is only a stone's throw from the bus terminal to airport (route A11)

Do CLICK HERE for the four (4) postings of Lantau and Hong Kong Trails outing.

Posted by KC Leong

Hong Kong Trail (Day 3)

On Day 3 and the final day of the outing, we continued with the other sections of Hong Kong Trail. The group took a bus and arrived at Big Wave Bay amid drizzle. Starting at Section 8 (the final section), we targeted to arrive at Section 4 where we stopped at Section 3 on Day 2. 

Voted as the top 10 trails in Asia, Hong Kong Trail is a well-maintained urban trail. The entire trail has 100 distance posts in 500 meters interval covering a total distance of 50km in 8 sections. Section 1 (with distance post H001) starts at Victoria Peak while Section 8 (with distance post H100) ends at Big Wave Bay. 

We went up and down the gentle slope on the long ridge that looks like the back of a dragon, and Dragon’s Back Trail is most appropriate to describe the terrain. This is a scenic section with the view of sea at both sides.

We started the hike/trail run at 8:15 a.m. amid drizzle for one hour, and emerged at H038 marker at 5:15 p.m., covering a distance of 31km in 9 hours.

The trailheads between Section 5 and 4 was almost 1km away walking on normal road. One has to know exactly where are these two locations in order to continue the journey.

We covered 19km on Day 2 (indicated by marker H037) and 31km on Day 3. So we completed the entire 50km of Hong Kong Trail in 2 days in a fun and relax manner.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos (Part 3) courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Arriving at Big Wave Bay, the Hong Kong Trail with distance post # H100

 Edwin Goh, the Team Lead, is so happy to see the distance post #H100 that he gave a "see teeth no see eyes" happy pose

 A wet and cold morning at Dragon's Back Trail 

 Superb scenery of Dragon's Back Trail

 Scenic view of Dragon's Back Trail

 Distance post #84 to #70 are running on the flat concrete for 7km

Run! Run! Run!

 Another scenic view along the Hong Kong Trail

 Arriving at Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir main dam ... (left) Josephine Hoh, Edwin Goh, Voon Lee, Lai Kuan, Dphany, KC Leong

 Leaving Tai Tam Byewash Reservoir main dam

 View of Hong Kong's dense high-rise buildings from the hills above

 Emerging at the end (or trailhead) of Section 5 of Hong Kong Trail

Yeah! we shall complete the journey! After walking for almost a kilometer, we finally found the trailhead to Section 4 to continue the Hong Kong Trail. In this photo, Section 5 is on the left; Section 4, right side.

Finally, we emerged at the end of Section 4 ... The day before, we completed Section 3, which was just 50 meter away.

Do CLICK HERE for the four (4) postings of Lantau and Hong Kong Trails outing.

Posted by KC Leong

Hong Kong Trail (Day 2)

On Day 2 of the outing, the group went to Peak Tram Station and took the Peak Tram car to Victoria Peak – the starting point of Hong Kong Trail Section 1. Section 1 and 2 are mostly paved walkway; Section 3 is jungle trail which is very pleasant to run. Overall, the trails are mostly going downhill with flat earth-based terrain.

At the finishing point of Section 3, we walked uphill towards Wan Chai Gap Park; refreshed in a toilet of the park, and later took a public bus to the nearest MTR Station.

We started the trail run at 8:30 a.m. and the last person completed the course by 1:00 p.m. for a total time of 4 hr 30 min. We saw the last distance post #37, and we covered about 19km (distance apart of two distance posts is 500 meters).

Do CLICK HERE to view photos (Part 2) courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Taking Peak Tram car to Victoria Peak

 At Victoria Peak

 The starting point of Hong Kong Trail Section 1 (with distance post H 001)

 Extended pavement by the hill slope

 Having fun at Victoria Peak Garden

 The earth-based terrain is flat and pleasant to run

 Taking a breather 

At the end of Section 3 of Hong Kong Trail

Do CLICK HERE for the four (4) postings of Lantau and Hong Kong Trails outing.

Posted by KC Leong

Lantau Trail (Day 1)

The group went for a hike/trail run at Lantau Trail and Hong Kong Trail from 23-27 March 2017. The Team Lead for this DIY outing is Edwin Goh. 

On Day 1 of the outing (24 March 2017), we hiked/ran at Lantau Trail; the trailhead is at Mui Wo which is a fishing village in Lantau Island. Section 1 ends at Nam Shan; Section 2 ends with a huge drop in elevation to Pak Kung Au; Section 3 goes uphill again to reach the highest point of Lantau Peak at 934 meters. It is then downhill all the way to Ngong Ping, where the big Buddha of Lantau Island is located. 

We started the hike/run at 8:00 a.m. and ended at 3:30 p.m. when the entire team arrived at the finishing point, for a duration of 7.5 hours. 

Do CLICK HERE to view photos (Part 1) courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Starting distance post of Lantau Trail; the distance between two posts is 500 meters

 Posing next to a distance post of Lantau Trail

 The Lantau Trail ... (left) Voon Lee, Dphany, Edwin Goh, Goh BK, Sau Kheng, Lai Kuan, Mila, Josephine Hoh, Alicia, KC Leong

 Happy to see another distance post of Lantau Trail

 The Lantau Trail is barren; protection from the strong sun is necessary

 View of Hong Kong airport from the hill above

 Dphany with the high-flying trail run pose

 The huts were built by the British long time ago; only one is opened for tourists to stay (but without water and electricity)

 The Lantau Peak is covered with cloud

 Arriving at Lantau Peak

Ngong Ping ... the finishing point of Lantau Trail 

Do click here for the four (4) postings of Lantau and Hong Kong Trails outing.

Posted by KC Leong