No More Smoke and Clutter, No Longer at the Mercy of the Weather: Dedicated Cooking Areas Added to Refuge Cabins
To maintain mountain trail facilities and reduce the occurrence of mountaineering accidents, Yushan National Park Headquarters (hereinafter referred to as “YNPH”) has actively constructed or renovated 17 refuge cabins at appropriate locations since its establishment. These cabins are available not only along the eastern section of the Batongguan Historic Trail but also on remote high-altitude traverse routes such as the Mabolasi Crossing Trail and the arduous South Section Two Trail. Each cabin is equipped with rainwater collection barrels on both sides and solar panels on the roof to convert sunlight into electricity for indoor lighting. Although designed as “refuge cabins,” they have become vital shelters for mountain adventurers.
As “refuge-type” shelters, the cabins are unmanned and lack dedicated cooking facilities. In fair weather, hikers often cook outdoors; however, when the weather turns unfavorable, they are forced to crowd into the small space in front of the vestibule to prepare meals. This not only causes congestion at the entrance and poor indoor air quality, but also poses a significant fire hazard. To address this issue, YNPH has extended the original eaves at the front of the cabins to create the largest possible space for a designated cooking area. In addition, portions of the bed platforms have been removed to expand the indoor vestibule area, and tables and benches have been added to enhance the communal space. These improvements resolve both the cooking and clutter problems within the cabins.
No More Scattered Toilet Paper, No Need to Hold Your Breath – Eco-Friendly Dry Toilet 2.0
Protecting our mountains and environment can start with simple actions such as eating light meals, packing out food waste, camping in designated areas, and participating in trail maintenance. However, one of the most frequently raised concerns in the mountains remains how to properly manage the byproducts of eating: human waste. Although basic toilets have been installed near each of YNPH’s refuge cabins, the surge in domestic mountain tourism due to forest access policies and the effects of the pandemic has overwhelmed these facilities. As a result, many hikers have resorted to relieving themselves in the wild. Not only has this turned certain areas into “minefields,” but discarded toilet paper has also become a regrettable blemish on the natural landscape.
To address this issue, YNPH has reviewed domestic and international practices, drawing on past experience managing high-altitude toilets, and undertaken major upgrades to the toilets at the Lulu Valley, Tafen Valley, and Lakuyin Cabins. In addition to repairing structural damage and improving cramped layouts, the waste storage system has been redesigned: urine is now absorbed naturally by the soil, while feces are covered with wood chips to begin the drying and decomposition process in the storage tank before being transferred outdoors for composting. With the separation of urine and feces, along with enhanced ventilation, odors have been significantly reduced. The enlarged storage tanks can accommodate more users, thereby reducing the frequency of maintenance. The renovated toilets still require no flushing or chemical additives, and hikers are no longer required to operate a hand crank. These upgraded facilities can be considered improved eco-friendly dry toilets.
Heavy Equipment and Materials Overload: Aerial Support to the Rescue
The South Section Two Trail is a long-duration mountaineering route, and it typically takes five to six days for workers to carry construction materials and equipment to the mountain cabins by foot. However, natural disasters such as heavy rain and earthquakes introduce significant uncertainty and greatly increase manpower demands. Moreover, certain machinery and materials can weigh over a hundred kilograms, far beyond what can be transported manually.
During the construction of the Guangao Cabin, the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) of the Ministry of the Interior and the ROC Army Aviation and Special Forces Command generously provided aerial transport of large construction materials, despite their already heavy mission loads. Additionally, Daily Air Corporation provided active support in transporting materials and personnel when weather conditions permitted. For this round of renovation work on the South Section Two cabins, another key partner once again stepped in to help. Ginger Aviation Inc. assisted the contractor by airlifting PE water tanks and essential building materials to the cabins, significantly accelerating the renovation progress, greatly improving construction efficiency, shortening the overall project duration, and enabling hikers to access the upgraded facilities sooner.
A Labor of Love — Please Cherish Shared Mountain Facilities
Many of the facilities at remote mountain cabins have been painstakingly carried up the trails by experienced mountaineers, fellow hikers, volunteers, and Indigenous porters, step by step, to benefit all who venture into the mountains. Even materials transported by helicopter require substantial funding. We sincerely ask everyone to cherish these hard-won public assets. For many hikers, mountain cabins are more than just a place to rest overnight—they offer a sense of safety and serve as crucial bases for emergency rescue operations. If we can all treat these cabins as if they were our own home, we believe they will remain usable for many years to come, allowing everyone to enjoy a safer and more rewarding mountaineering experience.