Mandatory Credit: Photo by Cheng-Chia Huang/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15963336h) Taiwan's booming mountain tourism industry relies heavily on a small but essential group of workers known as xiezhuo, or mountain porters. Tasked with transporting supplies, setting up camps and supporting commercial trekking groups across multi-day routes, porters operate in demanding conditions with limited labor protection and high personal risk..The workforce is diverse, ranging from Indigenous villagers and local laborers to foreign residents. Among them is Ashan, an Irish citizen and one of Taiwan's few full-time foreign porters. After settling in Taiwan more than a decade ago, he entered the profession following an introduction from a friend. He says the work is physically taxing but offers a livelihood and a connection to Taiwan's remote high-altitude landscapes..Concerns over safety and unclear responsibilities have grown in recent years. Earlier this year, a 31-member trekking group encountered heavy snow on the southern section of the Central Mountain Range. Twenty-four hikers were evacuated by helicopter, while seven porters including Ashan were left to descend on their own. Ashan recalls that the team's leader showed limited experience and poor judgment, leaving porters to take on advisory roles without recognition or direct inclusion in the rescue process. The incident highlighted systemic gaps in emergency coordination and porter protection..Competition is particularly intense along popular eastern routes such as Jiaming LakeïźŚśZś¹-ïź and the Jiamo-si (ś'èOeś-Ż) Trail, where multiple guiding companies now operate. Services have expanded from basic meals to multi-course menus and added amenities, increasing porters' workload. Local youth say the job remains attractive due to relatively high pay, but the physical strain and unstable conditions drive high turnover..With domestic outdoor enthusiasm cooling after the pandemic, Porters Carry The Weight Of Taiwan'S Mou...