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Yushan, or Jade Mountain, is the highest mountain in Taiwan. On its north peak is a weather station, until recently the highest permanently inhabited building in the country at more than 3,800 metres (12,600ft).
The weather station is located just above the Yushan Wind Gap, notorious among climbers for being impassable due to the force of the wind blowing through it. Wind there is literally off the scale.
The original Beaufort wind scale used in Britain and the US goes up to 12, equal to hurricane force of 73mph or more. Such winds are mercifully fairly rare. However, in Taiwan and China where typhoons are common, an extended Beaufort scale is used. The Yushan weather station regularly records winds gusting up to force 17, the top of the scale indicating wind speeds of more than 125mph.
In Yushan the wind is channelled through a rift valley to the opening of the wind gap. It is strong enough to prevent the build-up of ice or snow, leaving a treacherous gravel surface. And it is dangerous; one meteorologist was blown off the mountain to his death. The path up to the weather station now has a metal screen and chains to help climbers.
Yushan is still a prized goal for climbers, though they are advised to avoid the windiest months of the winter. However, the weather station on the north peak is now automated, so there is less chance of a welcoming cup of tea when you get there.
