Jim Lin is the feature photographer for the March/April 2022 edition of Common Climber. Jim is from Taiwan and shares his incredible climbing photos of this island, his story, and where/how to climb in Taiwan. Enjoy the adventure!

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You live in Taiwan, tell us about your life there.

Taiwan is an island packed with high mountains (above 3000m, 9800 feet) and rivers. If you love nature, Taiwan is a perfect destination. If you really want to learn more about Taiwan, you should dive deeper into these mountains.

My house is at Taichung, it means “the middle of Taiwan." I just graduated from college and am still figuring out what to do about a career. In addition to climbing, I also love mountaineering, river tracing, and hiking. ​

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When did you start climbing and how?

My climbing journey started about two years ago. At that time, climbing was solely for the purpose of learning alpinism, but soon I realized how much I love the sport of rock climbing itself. Climbing has brought me incredible enjoyment and the bonds between my partners and myself have given me so many great memories. I’m eager to continue being an outdoor enthusiast.

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Ray Su (IG: @climbingray) on Turing Tower (5.10d, 21) in Dongyin, Taiwan. According to photographer Jim Lin, Dongyin is the perfect location for people who want to test their trad climbing skills. In the summer of 2021, a group of climbers went to Dongyin to discover the unseen side of Taiwan. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG, @jp101112123)

Do you have a favorite type or style of climbing? 

My all time favorite is trad climbing. To complete one route, you not only climb it, you have to put a lot of work into finding out what gear and other resources to bring, where the crux might be, and how to get down (rappelling or walking off). In terms of freedom, trad climbing is the most versatile form of climbing. I can always find new possibilities, even when I’m in the same location. The complexity of trad climbing really makes me addicted. It's like solving a puzzle and feels almost like a painter drawing art on the rock. It's so engaging, you forget the time passing. 

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Yung Hui Hsu (IG: @hsuyunghui) is on a climb in in Ruifang, Taiwan (重劍無鋒, 5.10a, 18). Off-width climbing is is rare in Taiwan. 重劍無鋒 is the first pure off-width route we have found so far. Although it is the only known off-width so far, not many people are interested in climbing it. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)

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How long have you been doing photography?

I started taking photography very seriously about four years ago. I started with my iPhone 7 and after a year of watching YouTube, I picked up my first camera. Since then, I have been photographing non-stop - shooting street, architecture, portrait, landscape, and climbing.

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For the techies in our audience, what photographic equipment do you use?

The camera bodies I used are Sony a7riii and Leica M10. I take most of my action shots in 24mm focal length. For more distant subjects , I use 50mm and 135mm manual lens.

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Do you have a photographic style? ​

My photo editing is always based on the the photo itself, sometimes I don’t really edit it when I feel the photo is already “there." 

Instead of me describing my style, I would be curious what you all think? What you think of my photography? Please let me know! (Instagram: @jp101112123)

Pei-Hsuan Ku (IG: @gradatimferociter) is on Freedom Crack (5.8, 16). The rock face is split like a lightning bolt. To show the magnificence of the wall, I took this shot at the same height as the climber by hiking up the hill on the other side. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)

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Ray Su (IG: @climbingray) and Jimmy Wu (IG: @groovingmorpheus lowering from Stone Z (5.11a, 22) in Long Dong, Taiwan. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)

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Describe the intersection between climbing and photography for you. ​​

I definitely enjoy both. For me, there aren’t many differences between the two - I can do one or the other as long as it feels enjoyable. I also like to combine climbing and taking photos. This is because I love to challenge myself to not use a fixed line to take photos.

Instead of jumaring up or rappelling down the rope, I like to use trad climbing to achieve certain photographic angles or be closer to the subject. For some photo preparations, I like to climb the route I want to shoot. This lets me know the more interesting parts of the climb and where to focus my photography.

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We don't hear much about rock climbing in Taiwan. Tell us about climbing there.

The climbing information about Taiwan crags is very scarce. The biggest climbing area is Long Dong (龍洞), it has almost 600 routes. The second largest is Guanziling (關子嶺). Other than these two areas, locals keep the crag information very private. The main reason is that the Taiwan society views climbing as very dangerous. The government tends to ban everything when accidents happens. So for climbers wanting to visit Taiwan, it’s best to visit an indoor gym when you first arrive, then meet some locals and let them introduce you into the crags! ​

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Hung Shin Wu (IG: @hungwu97) is on Bin Lang Road (5.12b, 27) located at Long Dong, Taiwan. Long Dong is known for its Szuling sandstone, which is like a hard, silica-rich quartzite sandstone. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)

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Ray Su (IG: @climbingray) is on Dragon Arete Direct (5.11a, 22) in Long Dong, Taiwan. Photographer Jim Lin says, "Finding the new possibilities on the wall can be quite interesting when you have the skill (trad climbing) to deal with the problems (no bolts) that come with the adventure. Learning trad climbing is the best decision I’ve ever made." (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)

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Do you have a favorite location in Taiwan to climb? Why is it your favorite?

Long Dong（龍洞)  is my top choice, even when I’m not climbing, It’s just an incredible place to be. Long Dong has a special rock type called “Szuling sandstone”, it’s arguably harder than granite. (ED. NOTE: Szuling sandstone is a silica-rich quartzite-style sandstone.)

I love the diversity of climbing styles in Long Dong. It has sport, trad, bouldering, and even deep water soloing when the tide is high. What makes climbing so special in Long Dong is when you reach the anchor, you are rewarded with its unique coastal landscape. Every time I summit a route, I can’t help staying on top longer to enjoy the views. 

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Do you have a favorite location to photograph climbing in Taiwan? Why is it your favorite?

​I can’t say which place I love to photograph the most because it’s always about people, the route, and the story between them. I want my pictures have soul in it, it’s very important to connect with my objects. However, one thing for sure is that Long Dong is a place I have deeply connected with. 

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Have you climbed elsewhere in the world? If so where and what did you think of it?

Actually, I climbed some alpine routes in Switzerland and France two years ago. When I was in the Alps, I found that crags are much more accessible than here in Taiwan. Unfortunately, there aren't too many big walls in Taiwan, and the process of getting into the mountains is so complicated. The bureaucracy of paperwork sets many climbers back. When the pandemic dies down, I will definitely go back to Europe and climb. ​

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What is one thing you would like our audience to know about you?

I’m looking forward to traveling abroad again. I can’t wait to climb with people around the world! ​

Kuan Yew Lee (IG: @sun.light0212 is on The Real Legend (5.13a, 29) located in Long Dong, Taiwan. As you climb higher the arete gradually becomes more and more overhung. The moves can be fairly tricky by the end. In this picture, the climber is at the crux screaming to get past. The misty background separates the climber and the outside world. This photo is one of my favorite works from last year. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)

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If a climber was coming to visit you in Taiwan for a week (and they have never been to Taiwan before), where would you take them, what would you show them to have a full Taiwanese experience?

For sure I'd take them to Long Dong if the weather is ok or take them to climb some limestone at Guanziling. Then after a full day of climbing, we would have some Long Feng chicken legs（龍鳳腿）at Ruifang. Personally, I would add a bottle of bubble tea too.

Taiwan is full of fantastic food! No matter where you go, there will always good food waiting for you - food is the least thing you have to worry about when visiting Taiwan!   

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Any last words?

Two years ago, Covid-19 hit the world hard. As a climber and photographer who loves to travel the world, it really felt awful not being able to leave Taiwan. However, as time passed, I found some really valuable ways to spend my time, frequently discovering and photographing new places. New ideas pop up every time I travel within the island. It has also allowed me to experience the importance of things that have been with me since the beginning - family, friends, and loved ones.

Also, I want to thank Common Climber for giving me the opportunity to share my experiences with people around the world. I will see you soon!

Ray Su (IG: @climbingray) rappeling from Bing Lang Road (5.12b, 27) at Long Dong, Taiwan. I took this picture when the covid-19 lockdown restrictions were loosened. The cave/frame shape looks like the shape of Taiwan Island. I felt like this photo captured that moment of Taiwan. No matter who you were, living in this country we were in the same boat - or cave. (Photo Credit: Jim Lin, IG: @jp101112123)