Expecting a speedy drive to the top, we hit a roadblock three kilometers out due to police intervention. We found ourselves in a bustling parking lot nestled between two hills, filling rapidly. As newcomers circled in search of spots, I changed shoes and swiftly moved ahead of the pack. As I climbed up to the…
Pico da Torre
Pico da Torre is another drive-up peak. When I arrived, there was a barbecue party at the top, complete with music, which made the climb more enjoyable. Otherwise, it’s just a parking lot with a cross and a viewpoint. The views of the urban areas below are decent. I snapped a few photos before heading…
Pico do Galo
Pico do Galo is located right next to Cabo Girão, a tourist hotspot that claims to be “one of the highest cliffs in the world.” I’ve seen at least three taller cliffs: Croaghaun on Achill Island in Ireland (688 m), Cape Enniberg in the Faroe Islands (750 m), and Preikestolen in Norway (604 m). And…
Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra
As I drove down from the island highpoint towards Santana, I saw a lot of cars lining up for this dead-end road. No problem, though—I’d already climbed it earlier that morning. From there, I took the scenic northside route to Ponta Delgada, where the old coast road caught my eye. It’s often closed to cars…
Pico do Remal
Pico Remal wasn’t on my radar, especially since my original plan was to reach Pico Ruivo do Paul da Serra from the north. But plans have a way of changing, right? The northern route turned out to be too rough for my small rented car, so I drove all the way around and approached from…
Pico Ruivo East Peak
As I trudged with hundreds of tourists to Pico Ruivo, I kept wondering how to shake up this monotonous routine. Then, out of nowhere, I spotted a narrow trail leading to the Pico Ruivo East Peak. It was barely visible through the bushes, but it was definitely a trail—clearly used occasionally by the adventurous. The…
Pico Ruivo
La Palma’s Roque de los Muchachos was cool, but now I’m all about Pico Ruivo in Madeira, Portugal. This peak is the island’s highest, with ultra-prominence and nearly 450 km of isolation. It’s clearly captured my interest. After a bumpy landing, a good dinner, and a comfortable night’s sleep, I had a hearty breakfast before…
Montaña de Breña
On the way to the airport, a darkened dot on the map catches my attention. Dark signifies less than 100 meters of prominence. With a spare hour and few other plans, why not take a detour? I didn’t delve into the details but spotted a road at the base and headed for the peak. To…
Montaña Quemada
John shifted his flight from the afternoon to the morning, so I dropped him off at the airport. Now, with 3-4 hours to spare, I’m pondering my options. Naturally, I think of peaks. The more captivating ones like Volcán de la Deseada require more time than I have. Thus, I narrow down my search and…
Roque de los Muchachos
After a successful and memorable climb to Gran Canaria’s true high point, El Morrón de la Agujereada we stop at a restaurant chosen by Aron. After enjoying great food, we head to the airport. Our flight to La Palma is on time, and all procedures go smoothly. It takes a few minutes to disembark and…
El Morrón de la Agujereada
El Morrón de la Agujereada stands as the island’s highpoint—an ultra-prominent peak with nearly 100 km of isolation. It boasts an exposed climbing ‘trail’ that snakes its way to the true summit. This challenge is precisely why 99.99 percent of visitors park their cars, stop at the Pico de las Nieves (“touristic high point”) just…
Montaña de las Palmas
I landed right on schedule and promptly rejected the notion of shelling out fifty euros for a taxi, choosing a public bus instead. After a mere 15-minute wait and an expenditure of just 1.65 EUR, I arrived in Telde. Upon finding my accommodation, I engaged in a brief conversation with the hostel owner. It soon…
Frankfurt to Las Palmas
Catching an early morning Lufthansa flight from Vilnius to Frankfurt is pretty straightforward. After a brief layover in Frankfurt, I’m on a 4h30 flight with Discover Airlines to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Lucky to have a window seat, I marveled at the views over the Pyrenees—clear skies and breathtaking scenery. Naturally, I couldn’t help but…
Korea-Amur Area 2024
Our adventure targeted Jiri-san, South Korea’s continental zenith. Denise and Richard ventured further, conquering Halla-san on Jeju Do Island, the country’s highest peak. Time constraints led me to bid South Korea farewell after Jiri-san, marking the end of my journey. Day 1: Flights, and a Seafood Reunion Embarking from Taipei to Seoul, Denise, Richard, and…
South Korea
The journey from Seoul to Jinju aboard the train, cruising at speeds around 290 km per hour but capable of reaching up to 330 km per hour, serves as a prelude to the grandeur awaiting at Jiri-san. This majestic, ultra-prominent peak is the centerpiece of our trip, symbolizing the adventure and exploration that lie at…
Jiri-san
Embarking on our journey on March 24th, 2024, Ricard, Denise, and I set out on the adventure of ascending Jiri-san, locally known as Cheonwangbong. Because, really, what better way to spend a serene Sunday than challenging gravity and pushing our limits? Standing tall at 1915 meters, with a prominence of 1695 meters that dwarfs most,…
Jinjuseong
We eased off the train from Seoul into Jinju, our limbs thankful for the stillness. Ditching the station’s buzz, we hopped into a taxi that whisked us another 10 kilometers to our abode, the New Yorker Hotel. A curious fusion of luxury and kitsch greeted us with a jacuzzi and a cinema right in our…
East China 2024
The trip’s goal was straightforward: summit two ultra-prominent island peaks, considering anything beyond that a bonus. Goal achieved, we ascended Youshan and Xueshan, bagged a few minor peaks for good measure, and, as an encore, climbed the Qixingshan ribu volcano near Taipei city. By all measures, we rocked it. While reflecting on our achievements, it’s…
Taiwan
First off, Taiwan leaves you with the impression that everything is meticulously organized. The locals are exceptionally friendly; catch them spotting your bewildered gaze amidst trying to decipher some rule, and they’re right there offering help. Nice touch, thanks! Due to this welcoming behavior, many hurdles were swiftly and smoothly overcome. Transportation We decided to…
Qixingshan
Having scaled both of Taiwan’s ultra prominent peaks, we naturally shift our focus to the next priority: the P1000. After scrutinizing the map and our calendar, it’s clear that time is tight for remote peaks. However, one peak near Taipei catches our eye: Qixingshan. Popular among locals and just a short hike for us, it…