From Wanhua, he walked to Hsichih, Nuannuan, Shuanghsi, and Kungliao, and the journey entailed traversing the ranges of Santiaoling and Tsaoling. While many started on this trip along the ancient road from Tamshui to Ilan, few were rugged enough to brave the elements and actually finish it--hence the expression, "Three stayed behind, two died and five turned back."
因此冒險前往噶瑪蘭的人雖多，但是真正走在淡蘭古道上，又能抵抗山瘴海露的惡劣天候的人卻不多，因而流傳「三留二死五回頭」的諺語。