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Winter Mountain Climbing Essentials! From Equipment Checklist to Route Precautions

To ensure the safety of mountain enthusiasts, rangers from the National Park Headquarters have compiled a list of Dos and Don'ts for winter mountain climbing, especially in snowy conditions. Mountain climbers are advised to do their homework before departure to avoid accidents and ensure the safety and fun of exploring mountains and forests! First, mountain enthusiasts must understand climate changes in mountain areas during winter. Snowy regions are not only extremely cold, but the air is also very dry. This dry environment can cause capillaries in the nasal cavity to rupture, creating considerable discomfort with coagulated blood clots attaching inside the nose. Even without snow, when high mountains become foggy, conditions are both wet and cold, causing the human body to experience "wind chill effect," which weakens physical strength. Whether one can adapt to these discomforts caused by snowy conditions is one of the critical factors that must be carefully evaluated before departure. For climbing routes, it is recommended to choose mountains with simple terrain and lower altitude and difficulty levels. When hiking in snowy areas, identifying the correct path is crucial. When thick snow covers the trail surface, people unfamiliar with the route may misjudge and slide down slopes or fall into potholes or off cliffs. Therefore, in addition to downloading and using offline map apps, it is advisable to travel with experienced climbers or stick to trails you know well. Taking Yushan Main Peak as an example, the section between 3,600 meters and 3,952 meters a.s.l. is mostly composed of metamorphic sandstone, shale, and argillite, where the terrain is steep and prone to fracturing and disintegration due to drastic climate fluctuations at high elevations. After winter sets in, freezing and snow accumulation create mixed ice-snow-rock terrain of extremely high difficulty that requires professional climbing skills—completely different from the snow accumulation patterns at Xueshan Cirque or Hehuanshan. Therefore, those without snow climbing experience or lacking training with relevant equipment are strongly advised against attempting these routes, in order to reduce the risk of mountain accidents. Regarding snow season climbing, each National Park Headquarters has detailed regulations: Yushan enforces control measures for mountains above 3,000 meters during snow season, accepting only applications from teams with snow climbing experience and complete equipment; Taroko implements traffic control in the Hehuanshan area; Shei-Pa's Holy Ridge route accepts applications from team leaders with snow training certificates or equivalent credentials, who may lead climbing teams of up to 6 people, while Xueshan Cirque conditionally opens (when cirque snow depth exceeds 30 centimeters) for training teams to apply for camping. Keeping warm is the most important issue in winter climbing. For climbers may choose moisture-wicking performance or warm wool undergarments, topped with synthetic insulated clothing and jackets. Cold-proof and windproof hats, scarves, and gloves are all essential. When climbing during daylight hours, if you feel hot from sun exposure, you may remove your jacket while hiking, but remember to put it back on immediately when resting to avoid hypothermia from cold winds. Among mountain climbing equipment, "helmet," "ice axe," and "crampons" are known as the three treasures for snowy terrain. A helmet protects the head from direct impact with rocks or ice surfaces during accidents, and also prevents injury from falling rocks dislodged by thermal expansion and contraction. Ice axes and crampons help climbers secure their position in snowy terrain, preventing slips or falls. To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools. Make thorough preparations before entering the mountains, follow National Park regulations once on the mountain, and take each step with caution—this is how winter climbing becomes easier and safer! Winter Mountain Climbing Essentials! From Equipment Checklist to Route Precautions