Kwan-Ak Mountain

Our last day off before Christmas was on Thursday.  In the spirit of bonding, Mr. Kim (my boss) planned a hiking trip to Kwan-Ak Mountain for anyone interested.  All of the American/Canadian teachers signed up eager for some fresh air and unaware of the intensity level of our hike.  We were joined by Mr. Kim and one other Korean teacher, Susie.  It seemed suspicious that all of the other Korean teachers were "busy" that day and unable to attend.  

Waking earlier than usual, we met at the subway station at 9am and headed to Gwacheon - a 30 minute ride.  The subway train was littered with people dressed from head to toe in hiking gear.  The amount of North Face products people own is impressive, and often seems unnecessary.  Especially on the weekends, it is common to see hoards of Koreans lugging their backpacks and hiking poles onto the trains while sporting boots, visors, vests, and gloves. More than once I've wondered if all the gear is necessary or simply a fashion statement in the making.

Once to the base of the mountain we located our point on the map.  "We'll go up here and come down here.  Five hours.  Two up and two down plus one for rest and lunch," said Mr. Kim. We all stood motionless with mouths hanging to the ground.  Five hours up the side of a mountain? It was too late to turn back and Mr. Kim was ready to go so we pulled ourselves up off the ground and started walking.  

      

      

As fall continues to move into Korea the leaves are beginning to change.  Green is giving way to bright shades of red, yellow, and pumpkin orange.  The view of the changing trees as we made our way up the mountain was breathtaking and picture-perfect.  It was so beautiful I almost forgot how high we were climbing and barely realized Mr. Kim was quickly blazing a trail of his own.  It didn't take long for me to realize that the hiking gear commonly carried by Koreans is necessary - not just superfluous.  While talking to Susie, I also learned that Korea's landscape is 70% mountainous, which makes it the most mountainous country per square foot in the world. Obviously, this makes hiking Korea's number one recreational activity and probably puts Koreans, in my opinion, at the top of the list for the fastest and most agile humans on a mountainside. Second only to mountain goats. 

     

Finally at the top!!!

While making our way back down the mountaintop we came upon a Buddhist temple.  Since arriving in Korea, I have been longing to see something "old" and a temple was just the thing to quench my desire.  Before actually seeing the temple - I could hear it.  Low chanting and the vibrations of bells filled the air. Rounding the corner brought colorful lanterns into view; each one blowing in the cool breeze.  The ruffle of prayer cards attached to the lanterns and the hum of murmured prayers were the only sounds on the temple grounds.  Set high in the mountainside, the temple was every bit as majestic as a picture on a postcard.

      

      

Climbing down the mountain was just as difficult as climbing up, and my knees were protesting the day's activity.  Once to the base (six hours after we started) it was clear that we were all in need of refreshments so Mr. Kim took us on a wild goose chase in search of a "hof."  His favorite beer garden was closed for the day so we settled on a delicious dinner of smoked pork - Korean style - and toasted several times to good food, great co-workers, and survival. Thanks to kimchi and extreme hiking - I'm one more step closer to becoming Korean.      

The steep walk down.

We climbed to the top of that?!