Sky blue:
To work on North Peak, besides the danger involved, it is also necessary to be away from home for extended periods, so there's too little time to devote to the wife and kids. "For the money, you can't worry too much, you just have to continue working. When I'm old and can't climb anymore, then I'll ask for a transfer," says Shih Wen-hsiung.
To ease some of the pain of separation, Shih, a Bunun person from the town of Tungpu, has bought a set of walkie-talkies. Each night at a fixed time he calls his wife and child; because the distance is not too great, the line is quite clear.
Regarding this problem, Lee Tai-chun is different from the others. He stays at North Peak so that he will be close to and can take better care of his father. Because all of the children in the family have gone elsewhere to work, his aging dad doesn't have anyone around to look after him, so although he long ago had a chance to transfer out of North Peak, Lee chooses to remain.
Although the Yushan Weather Station is situated in an elevated place, there is little room for activities. And because the weather data must be sent out according to a fixed schedule, there's even less opportunity to indulge in laziness. It really is a very difficult job. So the next time you climbers have a chance to ascend to North Peak, maybe you could drop in for a chat and give them a pat on the back.
[Picture Caption]
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The Yushan Weather Station is the "highest office in the land."
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The photo at left is of the Yushan Weather Station circa 1955(photo courtesy of Kuan Your-chuan)
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Each shift change it is necessary to carry 30-40 kilograms of food and necessities up the mountain; the workers have already trained their bodies to get used to it.
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The rocky slope on the north side of the Main Peak of Yushan is windy and has heavy accumulations of snow, making it the most difficult and hazardous stretch.
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Checking the instruments and recording the weather data constitutes the routine daily work of the staff.
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Topographic factors mean that one can see different climatic conditions on North Peak. (photo by Lee Tai-chun)
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Using free time to do photography can relieve the monotony.
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This Matsu statue was at North Peak for eight years, but has been since moved to technician Lee Tai-chun's house. (photo courtesy of Lee Tai-chun)
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The stove where water is boiled is a focal part of life for the staff.
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The solar power system means electricity is no longer a worry at the Yushan Weather Station.
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Precipitation is the source of North Peak's water.
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North Peak might be a "step up" in one's career, but there's not much room to move around. The snowy season, which lasts nearly half the year, makes life even harder. (photo by Lee Tai-chun)
The solar power system means electricity is no longer a worry at the Yushan Weather Station.
Precipitation is the source of North Peak's water.
North Peak might be a "step up" in one's career, but there's not much room to move around. The snowy season, which lasts nearly half the year, makes life even harder. (photo by Lee Tai-chun)