Shei-Pa has installed auxiliary guide posts, serving as beacons for winter hikers. However, hikers must also be well-prepared to maintain winter hiking safety.
Shei-Pa Report: With the current cold front, according to the latest snow conditions reported by Shei-Pa conservation volunteers and hikers today, Snow Mountain's main peak has approximately 20cm of snow accumulation. Plants in the Snow Mountain cirque are showing signs of frost. Even with sunshine, areas without direct sunlight remain extremely cold, and some trail sections have loose snow. Shei-Pa reminds hikers to proceed with caution.
Furthermore, Shei-Pa asks: How often do hikers encounter a white wall while hiking? Does it depend on luck? Do you feel anxious when the trail is covered in thick snow or when guide posts are barely visible through the fog?
Not to worry - Shei-Pa has built beacons in the white wall for hikers - auxiliary guide posts. In October 2024, they first held a meeting with experts and scholars to discuss the style, color scheme, quantity, and installation locations of these auxiliary guide posts. After reaching a consensus, by the end of 2024, they installed 15 new auxiliary guide posts from Snow Mountain's main peak-North Ridge Saddle towards Cui Pond, bringing the total to over 20 guide posts with the existing ones. These auxiliary guide posts aim to provide clear markers for hikers when the rocky slope trail from Snow Mountain's main peak to Cui Pond is covered in snow or shrouded in thick fog during winter season, hopefully reducing the chance of getting lost.
However, if you do encounter a thick white wall and lose your sense of direction in the whiteness, Shei-Pa urges everyone to stop, make good use of map and compass (does anyone still use these?) or offline maps. If you find yourself lost, remember to stay put, stay calm, and follow the STOP principle:
S - Stop your movement.
T - Think about where you got lost; if you can't return to your original path, stay where you are.
O - Observe your resources, such as food and equipment, and look for nearby shelter from wind and rain. Avoid descending into valleys.
P - Plan your rescue strategy, ration food and water, and stay warm.
Of course, while Shei-Pa's auxiliary guide posts can help hikers identify trails, it must be emphasized that these are supplementary guidance facilities. Winter hikers should still do their own pre-trip planning and preparation, download offline map apps (and know how to use them!), or follow professional winter trek leaders. Most importantly, you should manage your own itinerary and plans because the person most capable of helping you is yourself.