A Letter From Yushan
by Tseng Hao-yu · Oct 2026
Dear Daniel, I hope everything is going well in Vancouver. You asked me in your last message whether it is really possible to climb Taiwan's highest mountain in two days. I can now answer with confidence: yes, it is, because I have just done it!
Yushan, or Jade Mountain, is almost four thousand meters high. You can't simply walk up it whenever you like. Climbers have to apply for a months in advance, and the number of people allowed on the trail each day is limited. My father and I applied three times before we finally got one.
On the first day, we hiked for about seven hours to a mountain cabin. The trail was narrow, and in some places there was a steep drop right next to my feet. As we climbed higher, I started to feel dizzy and short of breath. My father explained that this was because the air contains less oxygen so high up. We walked more slowly and drank plenty of water, and the headache went away.
The next morning, we left the cabin at 2:30 a.m. so that we could reach the before sunrise. It was freezing, and I could see nothing except the light from my headlamp. But when the sun finally rose over a sea of clouds, I forgot how cold and I was. It was the most view I have ever seen.
What surprised me most was how kind the other climbers were. Strangers shared snacks and cheered each other on. I realized that reaching the top is a personal , but the journey is something you share. If you ever visit Taiwan, I would love to take you there. Just make sure you are prepared! Best wishes, Kevin