In our youth, we knew only of dopamine, but it is in midlife that we come to understand endorphin. The path to happiness is a journey of self-cultivation, where the pain endured by the body transforms into the sweetness of nostalgia. A couple of days ago, my friend and I embarked on a classic hiking trail in Fujian – the majestic Shigu Mountain, towering at a height of 1803.3 meters.
Navigation: For our journey to Shigu Mountain in Xianyou, Putian, we chose to drive. It took approximately two hours from downtown Quanzhou to reach Xitou Village. However, the drive from the village to the parking lot at the foot of Shigu Mountain was more time-consuming due to the narrow, winding road with occasional oncoming vehicles. We set out at 8 am and began our ascent around 10:30 after a brief rest at the destination. The actual climb involved ascending over 800 meters, with intermittent stops for photography, taking approximately three hours.
About two-thirds of the way up, we encountered a signpost. Straight ahead led to Wulei Mountain, while to the right was Shigu Mountain. For beginners, we recommend taking the Shigu Mountain route. There were three descent routes to choose from – the large loop, the small loop, or returning the same way. As newcomers, we opted for the small loop, which looped around Wulei Mountain and returned to the signpost intersection before descending the same path. Many hikers on social media platforms have mentioned that it takes only 1.5 hours to descend, but this is inaccurate. It generally takes around 2 hours due to the numerous stone steps that can be taxing on the knees if walked too quickly. If visiting in summer, it is advisable to start descending by 4:30 pm to ensure returning to the parking lot before sunset at 7 pm.
Equipment: For my backpack, I chose the Mystery Ranch Flash 35L, which accommodated my gear with a load of approximately 10 kg. I carried two insulated cups filled with approximately 2 liters of Pocari Sweat. As for food, sandwiches, bread, and cookies are good options for energy replenishment since there are no supplies available on the mountain. It is essential to bring enough water especially in summer. I recommend wearing quick-drying shirts and long pants as the mosquitoes and flies in the jungle can be quite pesky. The descent to Wulei Mountain involves tall grass that can scratch the skin, so shorts are not advisable. Good traction is crucial for hiking shoes, as there are sections with streams and loose stones that can be slippery (I fell four times on my butt). Two trekking poles and either knee braces or knee pads are also necessities. Although the temperature remains comfortable around 25 degrees, the ultraviolet radiation is intense, so sun protection is vital.
Photography Equipment: For this hike, I brought along the DJI drone, Fujifilm X-T5, Insta360 GO3, GoPro, and a tripod. The summit offers breathtaking views that allow one to truly appreciate the grandeur of the surrounding mountains.
Tips: Personally, I would advise against hiking alone or camping as overnight stays would require carrying at least 15-20 kg of gear, which can be physically taxing. Although there are mountain streams for water replenishment, the descent to the summit takes at least an hour.
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