Lost on Phoenix Mountain: Solo Hiker Rescued in Taiwan After Six-Hour Ordeal

A 61-year-old man from Hsinchu City was rescued from Phoenix Mountain in Nantou County, Taiwan, after losing his way while hiking.

By Gao Tangyao

A 61-year-old man from Hsinchu City, Taiwan, was rescued after becoming lost on Phoenix Mountain in Nantou County. The incident occurred after the man attempted a solo hike up the "Xiao Baiyue" (small top 100 mountains) peak from a path near the Hotel Royal Chiton in Lugu Township.

According to the Zhushan Police Branch, the police station in Xitou received a report on April 20th, stating that the man had started his hike at noon with minimal equipment and a limited supply of water. The challenging weather conditions on the mountain, including thick fog and slippery terrain, led the hiker to lose his way. He then contacted authorities for help, vaguely recalling having seen a sign for "Bengkantou".

Police Officer Shi Zhilong from the Xitou Police Station and two members of the Lugu Fire Department responded to the call, heading into the mountains with rescue equipment. They instructed the man to stay in place to avoid further disorientation. The search was challenging due to the steep terrain and recent rainfall. After hours of searching, the rescue team found a degraded signpost with the partial word "Bengkantou", making it difficult to decipher.

Fortunately, the rescue team managed to establish contact with the stranded hiker via a weak mobile phone signal. Using whistles, shouts, GPS location data and offline Google Maps, the rescue team managed to find the hiker before sunset. The man was found exhausted, experiencing vocal strain and mild hypother. Officers immediately provided him with water and food to help him recover. The rescue team escorted him down the mountain safely.

The rescued hiker stated that he regularly climbs Xiao Baiyue mountains but had fallen several times during this climb, and the darkness and disorientation prompted him to call for assistance. He expressed his gratitude to the three police officers and firefighters involved in the rescue. Zhushan Branch Director Xu Xuanming urged the public to exercise caution when hiking in mountainous areas, especially given the unpredictable weather and complex terrain. He emphasized the importance of hiking with a companion, planning routes in advance, and carrying appropriate equipment and communication devices to prevent similar incidents.