Among Taiwan's feminine mountain climbers, the one who has reached the greatest accumulated height is 50-year-old Grandma Yang Chang Pi-lien. She has conquered 100 mountains, each at least 3,000 meters (9,750 feet) high. Her record shows that she has climbed over 300,000 meters in accumulated total within 10 years, a rare achievement few other women in the world could challenge. She climbed her first 50 peaks with her husband, Yang Chi-chen. The Mountain Climbers' Association presented this couple a special award certificate for their closeness and cooperation. Then her husband found he could not continue because of heart trouble. But Yang Chang Pi-lien did not stop. In the year of 1975 alone, she climbed 35 mountains all at least 3,000 meters high, and was able to reach her goal of conquering 100 peaks. Mrs. Yang has 4 children, who are all married and have their own youngsters. Thus friends give her the title of "Grandma Mountain Climber." Her achievements have brought pride to many modern Chinese women.
In Taiwan Mountaineering is a popular sport. There are many local associations. The one that Yang Chang Pi-lien joined is the "Club of 100 Mountains," which urges members to climb that many peaks. These mountains must meet three conditions: (1) 10,000 feet (3,030 meters) or more in elevation; (2) priorities are given to those that have triangulation marks; (3) their names must be listed on the map. Those who have climbed 30 such mountain may become associate members; an d those with over 50 mountains, full members. Honorary membership is given to those who have conquered 100 mountains. When the "Club of 100 Mountains" was established in December of 1972, only four persons had reached or even nearly reached the goal of 100 mountain peaks. It was the winter of 1975, before three more persons could make it. Yang Chang Pi-lien is the only woman to win the honor.
Skills, will power and emotion are necessary elements in mountaineering activities. If the participants do not love mountains, or lack the zeal to pursue their ideals to the end, it is unlikely that they can reach the difficult goals that are set. Yang Chang Pi-lien is a housewife who was well educated. She says that mountaineering activities have made her feel fresh and filled her heart with joy. The cold wind and icy rain in the mountains have helped to strengthen her body and develop her character of perseverance. Her spirit is renewed and her life beautified, she believes, after climbing 100 mountains. Success she says, always belongs to those who can long endure hardships and be patient.
A scene on the way to "Ghost Lake.
Black Water Pond beneath the South Lake, volcano 3,740 meters in elevation.
South Yushan has as elevation of 3,800 meters. Second from right is Mrs. Yang
Seven Color Lake on Lintien Mountain, Hualien County. Elevation: 2,900 meters
Mrs. Yang conqueres the North Peak of Yushan. Elevation: 3,997 meters.
Yushan in detail from left: Front Mountain, West Peak, South Yushan, Little South Mountain, Main Peak and East Peak.
At Tungchun Mountain in Nantou.
Mrs. Yang and the late Lin Wen-an on Chilai North Peak.