Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Hiking Wolchulsan - 월출산: Rising Moon Mountain

On Saturday, January 15th the Harrington's found themselves waking long before dawn for the second time in the New Year. Similar to their first pre-sunrise waking, the Harrington's were rolling out of bed to experience a day of hiking. However, this time, the hike would exceed 1.5 hours and be in the company of 7 Korean Elementary School teachers as opposed to Guest English Teachers. This trip would also take the Harrington's 3 hours south of Daejeon to Wolchulsan National Park for a one night-two day trip showcasing a number of 'first time experiences'.

As the car ride began, heads bobbed and soon the Harrington's were dozing off, trying to catch some Zzzzz's before a hike which would likely take the group straight-up more than one mountain side (as is common in Korea). A few Zzzzz's into the trip, all trekkers unloaded the cars and sat down for some morning Ramen and Kimbap before continuing south.

Within a few hours of leaving Daejeon, the sun had risen, the trekkers had unloaded their belongings and the big hike was about to commence! In the company of two sweet Korean women and 5 humorous Korean men, the Harrington's began an enjoyable (at times gruelling) hike on Wolchul Mountain. As is common when hiking Korea, the trekkers found themselves walking up many stairways and steep, slippery slopes occassionally blasted by cold mountain air but always enjoying a gorgeous scene before, behind or surrounding them.

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Highlights of the hike included:
the sight of an iced-over Baram Falls; spotting the 6 Brothers, rock formations reminescent of Wyoming's Vedawoo; standing at the top of an 809 M peak drinking Makeoli (traditional Korean rice wine), eating Paris Baguette hamburgers and being blasted by the icy wind; viewing and crossing a high-in-the-clouds bridge, and coming off the mountain to enjoy some 2-year old Kimchi, more Makeoli, tofu and 'seafood pancake'.
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Having sufficiently worked each muscle in their bodies, the crew set out for a Korean spa experience. That however, is a story which may deserve a bit of it's own space.

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