**KBS TV filmed the following hike. Our group will be featured as part of a special on the upcoming G20 Summit in Korea. The show is set to air on KBS TV on Friday, October 15th at ~7:10 PM.**
The Route:
Osaek (Park Entrance) – Daecheongbong (Peak) 1708m – Jungcheong Daepiso (Shelter) – Socheongbong (Peak) - Hueiungak (Shelter) – Gongnyongneungseon/Dinosaur Ridge (Pass) – Nahanbong (Peak) - Madeungryeong (Pass) 1326.7m - Biseondae (Rock) – Baekdamsa (Temple) = 20km
~Fall in Korea is beautiful. Fall in Seoraksan is breathtaking.
Aside from the incredible views and fresh air in the mountains, one of the best things about hiking anywhere are the people. In our group were people from Korea, the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Hungary and France, to name a few. The only thing bringing us together was the desire to, on a complete lack of sleep, climb up and down for 14+ hours. Some might say an easier word is ‘crazy.’
Our group, Climbing in Korea, took a bus from the Korea National University of Education in Seoul to the park entrance at Osaek. Starting at 3:00 AM, thousands of hikers from all over the world began a mass climb upward toward the highest peak, Daecheongbong. The goal being to reach it before sunrise. at 1708m, Daecheongbong is the second highest elevation on mainland Korea (third in all of Korea). This was not a casual climb. It was hurried, the trail was packed and it was pitch black. After three pretty grueling hours, we arrived at the peak exhilarated and cold!
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| Climbing in Korea - Seoraksan, Daecheongbong, October 9, 2010 |
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| view from Daecheongbong (Peak), Elevation 1708m, 10/9/2010, Sunrise |
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| October 9, 2010 (don't mind the 'profile' friend in the background) |
The entire group walked to the first shelter, Jungcheong Daepiso, for a brief break then continued on to the next peak, Socheongbong.
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| Jungcheong Daepiso (Shelter) near the peak |
From there, still as an entire group, we went for shelter (and breakfast) at Hueiungak. At this point we split into two groups. One went on a route through the mountains while the other would be climbing across them (lots of ups and downs over the various peaks).
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| Hueiungak (Shelter 2) |
I went with the ‘Dinosaur Ridge’ group across the mountains but I’ve seen pictures from the other group and it was by no means easier or less beautiful. They finished earlier than us, but the initial ascent to the highest peak was challenging enough for a sense of accomplishment by all.
My group hiked along Gongnyongneungseon or “Dinosaur Ridge.” It was lots of rope-assisted hiking over various ridges and peaks. Challenging but not impossible.
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| Dinosaur Ridge |
It became more about endurance than strength; start to finish was about 16 hours. We didn’t have the clear views we would have all liked, but every once in a while the clouds opened and we caught a glimpse of the magnificent views we knew were out there.
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| Seoraksan, 10/9/2010 |
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| a brief glimpse of Seoraksan, 10/9/2010 |
We stopped from time to time for coffee breaks or snacks. Sitting around chatting in Korean and English with people from all walks of life and all areas of the globe, quite an experience.
Seoraksan, especially in the fall, is incredible. I made it just in the nick of time before I depart Korea and I am so thankful for that. A special thanks to Kim, the organizer of Climbing in Korea, for making this trip possible.~
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| Seoraksan, October 2010 |
