1.The mountain climbing trails of the Park’s ecological protection area are divided into six grades; A, B, C, C+, D, and E, according to activity period, landform danger level, and snow season duration. The grading rules are as follows:
4 grades during general season:
Grade A: General hiking trails with activity periods of 1-3 days
Grade B: Medium-level vertical hiking trails with activity periods of 4-5 days or 1-3 days but with dangerous landforms
Grade C: High-level vertical hiking trails with an activity period of more than 5 days
Grade C+: High-level vertical hiking trails with rappelling and rock climbing landforms
2 grades during snow season:
Grade D: Snowfield hiking and vertical hiking trails which are open conditionally during regulated snow season
Grade E: Trails temporarily suspended during snow season
2.In accordance with the aforementioned grade levels, the grading of the mountain climbing routes in the Park’s ecological protection area is as per Attachment 1.
3.Applications for mountain trails graded A, B, or C can be made by climbing teams of 2 or more. Solo climbers must fill out the Letter of Undertaking for Solo Climbing in the Shei-Pa National Park Ecological Protection Area with the application (as per Attachment 2). Applications for mountain trails graded C+ and D can be made by climbing teams of 3 or more. Grade E trails are not open for applications.
4.Climbing team leaders and members must provide proof of climbing ability in order to apply for certain trails (e.g. a photograph of the applicant taken at the summit or an entry permit for the Park). The relevant regulations are as follows:
i. Grade A trails do not require proof of climbing experience
ii. To apply to climb the Park’s grade B trails, climbers must submit proof of experience of climbing any of the Park’s grade A trails or a trail of the same or higher grade on any of Taiwan’s “top 100” mountains
iii. To apply to climb the Park’s grade C trails, climbers must submit proof of experience of climbing any of the Park’s grade B trails or a trail of the same or higher grade on any of Taiwan’s “top 100” mountains
iv. To apply to climb the Park’s grade C+ trails, climbers must submit proof of experience of climbing any of the Park’s grade C trails or a trail of the same or higher grade on any of Taiwan’s “top 100” mountains
v. The aforementioned requirements for proof of climbing experience shall apply equally during snow season
vi. The grading of trails on Taiwan’s “top 100” mountains is as per Attachment 3.
5.The number of climbing team members, proof of climbing experience, climbing equipment, snowfield equipment, and team leaders’ snowfield training certification for climbing in the Park’s ecological protection area are as per Attachment 4. Climbing ropes and safety helmets are required and listed as key inspection items for any grade C trails. Applications for D trails are processed in accordance with regulations stated in the Application Instructions of Entry Permit for the Shei-Pa National Park Ecological Protection Area During Snow Season.
6.Climbers should take the required measures, including bringing satellite phones and hand-held GPS devices, hiring a qualified mountain climbing guide, and arranging mountaineering insurance in order to ensure mountain climbing safety.