Mountaineer sets record after hiking 100 peaks in 34 days
Extreme outdoor sports enthusiast Ku Ming-cheng previously managed to hike 40 peaks in just eight days and 16 hours. For his next challenge, he tackled all 100 of Taiwan’s main summits in 34 days, setting a new record in the history of Taiwanese mountaineering.
By 1:20 in the afternoon, extreme sports enthusiast Ku Ming-cheng makes it to his 100th summit. A few other hikers were already waiting there to welcome him.
Standing proudly at the top of Beidawu Mountain, Ku celebrates completing yet another personal challenge.
Ku Ming-cheng
Extreme hiker
Most people get exhausted after hiking up just a few mountains. Hiking 100 peaks at once, one after another, is even more difficult. But I’m always looking for a challenge. I want to see how much people can endure.
61-year-old Ku loves extreme outdoors sports. In 2022, he tried for the record of hiking the central mountain range in the shortest time possible, managing to summit 40 peaks in just eight days and 16 hours. This year, he set his sights on Taiwan’s top 100 mountains, starting from the Xueshan East Peak. Over 34 days, he was able to climb all 100—940km in total with cumulative elevation of 97,700m, setting yet another record.
Ku Ming-cheng
Extreme hiker
It’s a test of my physical ability, plus I want to generate discussion of the 100 peaks. This is my small wish.
This was actually Ku’s third attempt at speed climbing the 100 peaks. The first two times he encountered heavy snow and winds, and one of the times was when the April 3 earthquake hit Hualien, forcing him to call it off early. But this year he was back with a vengeance. He still encountered days of heavy rain, mist, cold, and damaged paths, making the journey hazardous.
He hiked for 10 to 20 hours every day, challenged by the interplay of physical limitations and weather conditions. An overworked spine, excruciating foot pain, and sleepless nights made him doubt himself. But fortunately, with supply runs and backup, he was able to overcome every obstacle. The hikers he met along the way also gave him valuable encouragement.
Now he’s managed to achieve the impossible, adding another feather to his laden cap.
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2025-06-03
