Taipei, May 9 (CNA) Taiwanese photographer and mountain guide Yu Rung-chin was waiting at a weather station on the Northern Peak of Yushan on Wednesday for rescuers to reach him after he fell ill during a climb.

Yu, known for his photographs of Taiwan mountains and their ecologic features, began experiencing respiratory difficulties during a hike with three other climbers to take pictures of the Yushan Range, according to the Nantou County Fire Department.

A military helicopter was dispatched to pick up Yu, but heavy fog prevented it from reaching the area where he and his team were located, the department said.

Because Yu was close to the Yushan Weather Station when he fell ill, the Yushan National Park Headquarters sent two rangers to bring him to the station for temporary assistance, the officials said

Yu will remain at the weather station until Thursday when the fire department will again try to rescue him, the officials said.

However, if the weather conditions do not improve, a ground force from the department will be dispatched to bring the photographer down the mountain for medical treatment, the officials said.

The highest point of Yushan Range, the Main Peak, is 3,952 meters above sea level, while the Northern Peak is 3,858 meters tall.

(By Lin Heng-li and Elizabeth Hsu)
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