Focus Taiwan
Date: 08/09/2020
By: interns Grace Hu, Meryl Kao, and Eden Wang

Taipei, Aug. 9 (CNA) Three trail builders who have dedicated themselves to constructing eco-friendly hiking trails around Taiwan for decades, preserving traditional skills for the younger generation, were honored with an award in Taipei Sunday.

Lin Hsien-chao (林先朝), Fan Kuang-cheng (范光政), and Ripunu Abalriini were presented with the 2020 Best Trail Builder/Repairer Award by the Taiwan Thousand Miles Trail Association at an award ceremony at the Taipei Mayor's Residence Art Salon.

The not-for-profit association said it launched the award in 2018 to promote trail building and related traditional building and repair skills, noting that trail builders are adapt at a wide range of construction techniques depending on the geological and soil conditions of different locations.

Abalriini, who uses slate and shale to build stone slab houses and trails, started to learn masonry from his father at the age of 10, according to the association.    [FULL  STORY]