the viewing deck: Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker

“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other… again and again and again. And if you allow yourself the opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit”

This is just a fun-challenge for me that brings to the summit of three of the most iconic peaks in the far east. Asian Trilogy Mountains is composed of the highest mountain peaks of Japan (Mt. Fuji 3,776masl), Taiwan (Mt. Jade 3,952masl) and Malaysia (Mt. Kinabalu 4,095masl). While not to be underestimated, this is a challenge suitable for all hikers with a good level of fitness. An incredible accomplishment for any hiker to reach the peak of all three.

The reason why I hiked Mt. Kinabalu (2013) is because I want to go higher on my amateur mountaineering achievement. That time, the highest mountain I summited was Mt. Pulag, 3rd highest in Philippines at 2,922masl for two times (2010 and 2011). Then, at a sudden plan due to appropriate month to hike, I planned to summit Mt. Fuji (2014) which was my first time to hike alone in my entire life and my first time also on night hike. Then almost 10 years after, rejuvinated my passion to accomplish Mt. Jade to complete the AsianTrilogy Mountain.

MT. KINABALU (4,095masl) is the highest mountain in Malaysia. Mt. Kinabalu hiking is expensive because it can only be trekked with a recognized local travel agency supported by a mandatory guide and optional porter. The summit push is mildly difficult because of the rope-support ascent early morning and has to descend at around 0600H because of fixed itinerary.

MT. FUJI (3,776masl) is the highest mountain in Japan. Trekking Mt. Fuji is not that expensive because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) and no registration or park fees, only confirmed accommodation is required. I think today (2023), there's registration already that costs 1,000 JPY.

MT. JADE (3,952masl) is the highest mountain in Taiwan. Mt. Jade is the cheapest among the three because it can be done independently (no guide and porter support) but for foreigners, permit and lodging advance booking is required.

Asian Trilogy Mountains All Visited Pinoy Solo Fun Hiker

My Response for below questions among these three mountains (based on my experience / observation).

1. Difficult to hike - Mt. Jade due to its long hiking distance and gruesome summit assault

2. Easiest to hike - Mt. Fuji

3. Expensive to hike - Mt. Kinabalu due to package hike deal

4. Cheapest to hike - Mt. Jade

5. Difficult to summit assault - Mt. Jade, the last 500m

6. Easy to summit assault - Mt. Fuji

7. Difficult to Budget DIY Transport - Mt. Jade due to its limited bus schedule to jump-off

8. Easiest to Budget DIY Transport - Mt. Kinabalu

TABLE OF COMPARISON OF THE ASIAN TRILOGY MOUNTAINS

MOUNTAIN NAME	MT. KINABALU	MT. FUJI	MT. JADE
SUMMIT ELEVATION	4,095masl (Low Peak)	3,776masl	3,952masl (Main Peak)
LOCATION	Sabah, Malaysia	Yamanashi, Japan	Nanto, Taiwan
PEAK FEATURE	Highest of Malaysia	Highest of Japan	Highest of Taiwan
BEST MONTHS	February to May	July to September	April to June
WORST MONTHS	October to January	October to February	December to March
TREK DURATION	2 days	2 days	2 days
TRAIL	Timpohon (long, easy)	Yoshida (popular, easy)	Main Peak (only one)
TRAIL TYPE	rainforest, rocky	rainforest, rocky, alpine	alpine tundra, rocky
TRAIL TYPE	ascent-desc (back trail)	ascent-desc (back trail)	ascent-descent (back trail)
TRAIL STOP-OVERS	sheltered little space	sheltered little space	sheltered little space
TRAIL MARKERS	every 500m	well-signed post	every 500m with altitude
HIKE JOURNEY	guide required	independent	independent
EST. HIKE BUDGET	250 USD	150 USD	100 USD
PREPARATION	advance booking required for entire trek	advance booking only for lodging	advance booking required for permit and lodging
REGISTRATION	included in booking	free of charge (2014)	free of charge (2023)

DATE I VISITED	MAY 25 TO 26, 2013	AUGUST 09 TO 10, 2014	APRIL 12 TO 13, 2023
HIKE JOURNEY	with guide only	self-guided solo	self-guided solo
CHOSEN TRAIL	Timpohon	Yoshida	Main Peak
TRAIL REMARKS	fixed	self-customized	self-customized
TREK DURATION	2 days	2 days	2 days
TREK DIFFICULTY	Easy to Moderate	Easy to Moderate	Moderate to Difficult
RETURN DISTANCE	17km	13km	28km
LODGING	Laban Rata Dormitory (3,273masl)	Seikanso Lodge (2,390masl)	Dongpu Lodge (2,580masl) Paiyun Lodge (3,402masl)
RAINING	rainforest trail only	entire trek (typhoon)	No
TRIP START	Kota Kinabalu	Nagoya	Chiayi to Alishan
TRIP END	Kota Kinabalu	Tokyo	Alishan to Chiayi
ITINERARY	Day One	Day One	Day One
	0830H Park registration	1325H 5th Stn (registration)	0600H Paiyun Center
	0900H ETD Kinabalu Park	1400H ETD Fuji 5th Station	0645H Tataka Saddle
	1250H lunch	1435H Seikanso Lodge	1150H Paiyun Lodge
	1600H ETA LR Dormitory	1600H dinner & sleep	1230H Trek to Main Peak
	2000H sleep	2300H ETD Seikanso Lodge	1430H Main Peak Crossroad
	Day Two	Day Two	1515H Mt. Jade Main Peak
	0130H wake-up	0020H ETA 7th Station	1545H Trek back
	0230H ETD LR Dormitory	0230H ETA 8th Station	1715H Paiyun Lodge
	0645H Mt. Kinabalu Summit	0500H Storm (3,300masl)	1800H dinner & sleep
	0700H Trek back	0615H ETA 7th Station	Day Two
	0930H ETA LR dormitory	0715H ETA Seikanso Lodge	0345H ETD Paiyun Lodge
	1030H ETD LR Dormitory	0800H ETD 6th Station	0730H ETA Tataka Saddle
	1530H ETA Kinabalu Park	0930H ETA Fuji 5th Station	1030H Bus #6739 to Alishan
SUMMIT PUSH	MODERATE	MODERATE	DIFFICULT
SUMMITED	YES, despite leg pain	NO, due to storm	YES, despite the AMS
HIGHEST REACHED	4,095masl	3,300masl	3,952masl
ENTIRE BUDGET	538 USD	1,015 USD	545 USD