看著連日好天氣，山路應該會好走些，也上網做了不少功課，甚至與走過小觀音山的友人討敎路線後，才安心的出發。
一早便在劍潭站搭紅五到陽明山總站，再轉乘108小巴上鞍部停車場，如網上山友寫下的紀 錄，鑽進一旁的小路就開始了小觀音山的起點，原本計畫若走得不順，打算只先探探路走到西峰就折返，之後有機會再來O型縱走。
沒想到此次幸運遇見兩位熟路的天使，讓我們一次就把小觀音山群全部收集了，從登山口、小觀音山西峰、西西峰、北峰、西北 峰、北北峰、主峰再從戰備道路返回原點，一路共花了近7小時才走完，那日我們抓準時間在太陽下山前就走回登山口搭車。
許多人說台北抹茶山比宜蘭的抹茶山難度更高，對於新手來說很硬，親身體驗後認為何止硬，著實是體力腿力耐力的多重考驗，眾多陡上陡下的地形， 戴上好攀爬的手套是必備，當然充足的水與能量補給更是必須，還有一定要抓好時間比太陽早下山，摸黑可是很危險的。
若是平時極少登山的人想挑戰O型縱走，建議一定要有認識路的山友帶領，一定要至少 3 人以上結伴，有時山上網路不穩也能先下載好離線地圖，縱使小觀音山大部份路徑皆有山友留下的線索路標，但還是很容易在山裡走失。
位於大屯火山群的小觀音山因療癒綠調像抹茶，也有台北抹茶山別稱，然而陡峭蜿蜒的山型並不太好爬，想挑戰一定要先鍛鍊好體力且做足功課，也備好沿路所需，千萬不要只為了拍攝美景就貿然上山。
做好準備上山，你能發現山的美麗，人的溫暖，同時挑戰自己，走完是有無法言喻的幸福感與成就感。2020.11.20
此文節錄自《台北多謝(to-siā)》一書特輯，中英雙語。
購書連結：https://reurl.cc/e9Ravm
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Before visiting, we kept an eye on the weather forecast a couple of days in advance and also looked online for the trail routes and asked hiking friends for advice.
On the day, we arrived at Jian Tan MRT station early in the morning and took the Red 5 bus to its terminal station at Yangmingshan. From there, we then transferred to the 108 minibus to Anbu which marked the start of the hiking trail up Mt. Xiaoguanyin.
On the way, we were lucky to meet two regular hikers who were familiar with the area and gave us directions on how to get to each of the mountain peaks - the west peak, the beizhuzishan peak, north peak, north-north peak, main peak and then back to the starting point. Overall, the trail took 7 hours to complete and we timed it so that we could catch the bus back to Taipei at the end.
Some say that Xiaoguanyin, also dubbed the “Matcha Mountain of Taipei ” (as it looks like a mountain of matcha green tea powder), is more difficult to ascend han the Matcha Mountain of Yilan. From our experience, we agree - Xiaoguanyin, part of the Tatun Volcano Group, is really a formidable test of strength and endurance as there are many steep inclines and the terrain can be quite rough. Wearing good climbing gloves is also a must, as is carrying water, food and other supplies. If you visit, be sure to time your hike well to descend before the sunset, as otherwise the journeycan be quite perilous.
For beginners who want to take on Xiaoguanyin’s loop walk trail, it‘s recommended that you should be in at least a group of three and led by a guide who knows the path. You should also download the map of the mountain in advance as reception is unreliable on the mountain.
Even though you can usually find signs left by other hikers that show you the correct path, it's still possible for you to get lost on the mountain. Those who want to challenge themselves by climbing the mountain should probably be well prepared and do some training beforehand. Don't be tempted to visit just for some instagrammable photos without making the necessary preparations.
Be well-prepared, discover the beauty of the nature and the warmth of the people you meet, challenge yourself safely. After the journey, what awaits you is full sense of happiness and accomplishment. 2020.11.20
This article is excerpted from the special edition of the book《Taipei, to-siā》, Chinese - English Bilingual Version.
Book link｜https://reurl.cc/e9Ravm
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