To camp out and take pictures for extended periods, he would divide his load and come back and forth several times shifting equipment and food. Consequently, he developed tremendous leg strength. Most hikers need four days to reach Mt. Nanhu and return, but during one week Chen made the return trip three times.
為了長時間駐紮攝影，他會分次將攝影器材和食物揹上山，也因此練就超強腳力；一般登山客到南湖大山來回約需四天腳程，陳炳元曾經一星期內往返三次。