Mt. Gwanak

About a week ago, I signed up to do a hike through the website 'Meetup'. After waking up this morning and not feeling well, I wasn't going to go but with just enough time to get ready and pack a bag I changed my mind and headed out for another adventure and I'm glad I did!

To give you some background - I had been messaging the organizer throughout the week to get more information about the hike. There wasn't too much information on the page and what was there seemed a bit odd. For instance "bring thick socks, or two pairs of socks, gloves and a scarf" - I can't think of a single hike I've been on where I've needed a scarf, maybe that's just me though. I asked if this was a beginner hike as I didn't want to get in over my head and she told me that it was. All I can say now, is to never trust when someone says its a 'beginner hike' or 'its a walk' when you're in Korea. Their take on 'beginner' and 'walk' is so far from it's reality - perhaps that's because Koreans love to hike and their perspective is skewed by that?

I set off on the subway and headed to Sadang, our meeting spot. I didn't see anyone at the 'spot' when I arrived but slowly began noticing other people wearing clothing that you'd wear on a hike, so I approached some of them and asked if they were there for the hike and shortly after we had formed a small group of people. I will also add that as we waited it down poured and I was really hoping that that would stop so we wouldn't get drenched - at least not right away. (There was also a thunder storm last night!!)

Jin, the organizer, a Korean local, guided us towards Mt. Gwanak and just before reaching the start of the hike we stopped at a store as some wanted to pick up fruit. In the end we all pitched in for fruit as it is expensive here and you can't really just buy one piece at a time. Even pitching in it was expensive but worth it - $2 for one apple and one orange.

The hike was intense - but looking back at the few pictures I took, it looks super easy, but please keep in mind that I only took pictures during the easy parts as all other times my whole body was occupied trying to get up this mountain! Think of the Grouse Grind, Lynn Valley, and all 3 peaks of the Chief combined but ten times worse/more difficult with more peaks! But just as beautiful.

Here is a picture of the very, very beginning. There was eight of us total, again both genders, but probably all in our 20's and had people from the US, Nepal, India, and Korea.

 

Below is one of the first views as well as Jin and I taking a break. I could not be more happier to have Jin on this hike as we both needed breaks more often than the rest of the group - I'm glad I wasn't the only one!!

 

 

 

 Below is when we got to the first peak - great views! Most of us thought that this was the end of the hike and that we'd head down after resting and eating. The most wrong assumption ever. While we were eating here, we also got down poured on. It was brief but welcomed since we were so hot and sweaty by this point, the rain cooled us off temporarily but quickly.

 

 

 

 

Off we went to the next peak while Jin pointed out the funny rocks along the way. On the left, they actually call this the poop rock, and on the right ... well, you can use your imagination!

 

 

 

Kinda of made me feel like I was in Vancouver :)

 

And at the next peak - more gorgeous views.

 

 

For a lot of the hike, we had to use rope to help get us up and through the pathways.

 

This was the next big feat to face - literally scaling the side of the mountain finding footholds and holding for dear life onto rope.

 

This was the very top of the mountain. I was not able to take pictures at every peak, as my phone eventually died but I think there were 5 in total.

This was the beginning of the way down, I liked that they placed lanterns along the way.

A temple on the mountain - there were a few of these! We stopped at one and again it started to down pour!

 

 

On the way down we followed a stream/waterfall type thing. We found a spot that water had pooled and took a break, all shoes were taken off then we jumped into the water - so refreshing and cold! I have pictures of this but on the camera which I am still working on figuring out how to take the pictures off of. When it was all said and done, the hike took a total of 7 hours and was no where near a 'beginner' hike!

 

We all opted to go for Korean BBQ to end the day which had turned to night and it was delicious - much better than the BBQ place I was taken to my first night here and the meat was generally lean!! :) Here is a group shot at the restaurant:

 



 

Two things I keep forgetting to mention - when the train is approaching at the subway station they play a funny trumpet soundtrack over the speakers which I find funny every time. Also there are cicadas everywhere in Korea. If you don't know what they sound like, please YouTube it - they are sooo loud! I'm getting used to it now, but man oh man was it annoying at first! Also days like this make me miss protein powder. So much.

 

<3