TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Mountaineer Chan Chiao-yu (詹喬愉) on Monday (March 15) launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise NT$850,000 (US$29,310) for a 10-day trip in May to clean up some of Taiwan’s highest peaks.
Chan, who became the second Taiwanese woman to summit Mount Everest in 2019, starred recently in the Public Television Service Foundation’s documentary “Island of Mountains: Believe It or Not. This is Taiwan!!!”
Nicknamed “Tri Fish,” Chan cut her teeth by joining a mountain climbing club as a college student. She went on to become a mountain guide and member of a search-and-rescue team. She has participated in numerous missions to rescue climbers, per Liberty Times.
At the end of 2020, Chan led four Nenggao–Andongjun expeditions across the northern part of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range. While amazed by the scenery, she was dumbfounded by the amount of garbage left at campsites there.
As treks are long and backpacks heavy, hikers lack the time and energy to clean up, she speculated. She added that over time, garbage accumulates deep in the mountains. This prompted her to resolve to help.
The mountain-cleaning expedition will be recorded to raise awareness about the issue, she said. According to Chan’s plan, the expedition will consist of 14 people, and the goal is to collect 40–70 kilograms of garbage and carry it back down.
Chan Chiao-yu (Facebook, 詹喬愉 - 三條魚Tri Fish photo)
Mountain campsite littered with trash (Facebook, 詹喬愉 - 三條魚Tri Fish photos)
