In an effort to provide the public with a safer, more convenient, and friendlier hiking environment, the National Airborne Service Corps (NASC) of the Ministry of the Interior has deployed UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to assist in transporting construction materials for the New Guangao Cabin. Starting from August 12, the helicopters will conduct multiple aerial transport operations, hoisting large construction materials and equipment to the New Guangao mountain area. It is estimated that approximately 6.5 tons of materials will be transported over 15 flights to accelerate the construction of the new cabin within the national park.
The Guangao Cabin, situated at an altitude of approximately 2,540 meters above sea level, serves as a crucial stop along popular hiking routes such as the South Second Section, Mabo Traverse, Batongguan Historic Trail, Badaxiu Route, and Dongpu-Yushan Main Peak Trail. The previous cabin was rendered unusable after its foundation and structure were severely damaged by Typhoon Morakot in 2009. Due to the inability to manually transport large construction materials, the NASC and the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command have deployed the 4,000-horsepower Black Hawk helicopters to accelerate the construction process through external cargo sling operations.
Since 2022, the NASC has successfully assisted the National Park Service in completing the construction of seven mountain cabins under the jurisdiction of the Shei-Pa and Taroko National Park Headquarters, providing hikers with more comfortable and safer environments.
Black Hawk helicopter capable of slinging up to 3,628 kilograms of cargo (reference photo of cargo sling operation for Youpolan Cabin)
Current construction status of the New Guangao Cabin