Track Stone
7 Days. 212 kilometres.
21,885 meters of technical ascent.
One man.
Expedition Complete
On March 31st, as dawn broke over the cold, rugged Taiwanese mountains, Stone Tsang completed his extraordinary seven-day adventure through the highlands.
Battling through snow and rain, Stone navigated challenges that tested his resilience and adaptability. His route shifted with the unforgiving weather, and he experienced a rollercoaster of emotions—highs, lows, and moments of profound reflection. In his own words: "What a journey! What an adventure! What a humbling experience!"
The isolation of this expedition highlights its raw, adventurous spirit. Over seven days, Stone encountered just one other hiker—his friend, manager, and fellow adventure racer, Ryan, on day six.
Follow Stone’s Instagram and Asia Pacific Athlete’s Instagram for more updates and stories from his unforgettable journey.
Throughout the adventure, Stone was tracked by WayMe's cutting-edge outdoor safety app, currently in beta testing.
Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range (中央山脈) is the major mountain range on the island of Taiwan. It runs from the north of the island to the south, nearly 300km, covered 28,000m elevation gain in total, The tallest peak of the range is Xiuguluan Mountain (秀姑巒山), 3,860 m (12,664 ft).
Taiwanese often refer to the mountain range as “Taiwan’s Protector,” because its unique shape and location protects the most heavily populated areas of the island from nearly all typhoon damage.
Stone plans to traverse this mountain range within 7 days from the north of the island to the south with very limited support on stage 6 at the only point a road reaches the trail. He will hike during the day, and camp or stay in mountain cabins at night, so he will carry all necessary gear and foods for those days.
“Facing the unknown excites me. ... all I need to do is run, hike, eat, drink, and sleep—fully immersed in the present moment.”
Interview: Stone’s PRe-Expedition Thoughts
What motivated you to Go on this expedition?
Stone Tsang: I have been racing for more than 20 years, however in the past couple of years, I lost motivation for racing and began reflecting on what trail running truly means to me. I realized that trail running is not just a sport—it's an adventure and a way of life. It gives me peace, freedom, strength, and even a way to navigate challenges.
An expedition is a great opportunity to explore nature, trails, and mountains while also deepening my understanding of myself. Facing the unknown excites me. To embark on this incredible adventure, all I need to do is run, hike, eat, drink, and sleep—fully immersed in the present moment.
This kind of journey is what I love and where my passion lies. As Mark Agnew, the adventurer and extreme sport journalist, said in the 4Trails film, "It’s not about the kilometres people travel, it’s about the people traveling the kilometres." I believe this experience will be truly amazing and beautiful for me.
What do you see as the key challenges?
Stone Tsang: If you have never been there, it is hard to imagine how difficult it is to hike through Taiwan’s high mountains. From January to September last year, a total of 51 hikers lost their lives in these mountains, highlighting the extreme challenges of this terrain.
One of the main difficulties is the high altitude. Taiwan has 285 mountains that exceed 3,000 meters, and I will be staying at around 3,000 meters throughout the expedition.
The unpredictable and extreme weather at these elevations adds another layer of difficulty. Some high-altitude areas remain snow-covered, requiring along extra gear and warm clothing, which increases the weight of my backpack.
The terrain is also highly technical and steep, featuring cliffs, landslides, rocky paths, and demanding climbs. (Editor’s note: Check out the 3D view in the live tracker to get a grasp of what Stone is facing).
Carrying a heavy backpack only makes these sections more challenging. Additionally, this is true wilderness—one of the most remote areas in Taiwan. There are only two locations along the trail accessible by car and reaching them requires a two- to three-hour drive from the city to elevations of 3,000 meters.
These factors make the XPD an incredibly tough yet rewarding expedition, pushing both physical and mental endurance to the limit.
How did you prepare for this expedition?
Preparing for the XPD required both mental and physical resilience. First and foremost, I needed to develop mental toughness to endure the extreme challenges of the expedition. Physically, I trained by carrying a heavy backpack, incorporating back-to-back training sessions, and camping in the mountains to simulate real conditions. This also allowed me to test all my gear to ensure it was reliable for the journey.
To build endurance and strength, I focused on long climbing sessions to gain elevation, often tackling steep and technical terrains to improve my ability to navigate difficult sections. Additionally, I made two trips to Taiwan, where I hiked and camped in the high mountains. This gave me firsthand experience of the terrain, weather conditions, and overall challenges, helping me better understand what to expect during the expedition.
What are you most looking Forward to?
Despite the challenges, I am incredibly excited for the XPD. I truly believe it will be an extraordinary and unforgettable journey.
Breathtaking landscapes—majestic mountains, dense forests, towering trees, flowing streams, and encounters with wildlife.
Stunning natural beauty—vibrant sunrises and sunsets, a vast sea of clouds, snowfall, and brilliant, star-filled skies.
Challenging terrains that will test my endurance and resilience.
Harsh and unpredictable weather, adding an element of surprise to the adventure.
A whirlwind of emotions—excitement, joy, peace, and solitude, but also pain, exhaustion, doubt, and moments of weakness.
Thank you Stone, all the best, a great time and most importantly a safe return!
MEET STONE
Born in a small Chinese town, Stone moved to Hong Kong as a teenager, transforming into one of Asia's premier trail runners over two decades.
A two-time top 10 finisher in the Ultra Trail World Tour and the only three-time top 20 Chinese finisher in UTMB history, he has conquered numerous major races, including winning the 2017 Ultra Trail Mount Rosa. Beyond racing, Stone champions the outdoor community, leading trail running clinics and advocating for natural preservation.
A dedicated paramedic and father, he also authored the first Chinese book on ultra trail running in 2022, inspiring future generations. More about Stone
Find Stone’s ITRA profile here.
Expedtion map: Through TAIWAN’s mountain heart
Expedition Schedule
212 kilometers. 21,855 meters of technical ascent.
7 days of nothing but running, hiking, eating, drinking, and sleeping.
March 25th to 31st. Sign up to track Stone on every stage!
Stage 1
Tue 25/3/2025
31 KM
3037m Elevation
Stage 2
Wed, 26/3/2025
34 KM
3071m Elevation
Stage 3
Wed, 27/3/2025
25 KM
3096m Elevation
Stage 4
Fri, 28/3/2025
28 KM
3124m Elevation
Stage 5
Sat, 29/3/2025
30 KM
3154m Elevation
Stage 6
Sun, 30/3/2025
31 KM
3185m Elevation
Stage 7
Mon, 31/3/2025
33 KM
3218 m Elevation
Read Stone's Book
Read Stone's Book
In his book (Written in Chinese), Stone Tsang shares his remarkable story, from his humble beginnings in Guangdong to becoming one of the most successful international Chinese trail runners. This unique autobiography also serves as a vital guide for aspiring runners, covering essential topics like training techniques, nutrition, race strategies, and injury prevention.
Emerging in 2005, Stone dominated local races in Hong Kong before making history at the UTMB in Europe, becoming the first ethnic Chinese to place in the top 20—achieving this feat three times. His accolades continued with victories across Europe and an impressive 8th place ranking in the World Tour in 2014.
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner, this book will inspire and elevate your running journey!
For a copy visit APA Outdoor Shop OR call +852-3153-4091 OR WhatsApp +852-9863-0017
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