Where are D and B?: 9-15-08 Bukhansan National Park

We put on our hiking shoes for an adventure in Bukhansan National Park--around 40 min. north of Seoul via subway. We met one of our friends, Cindy, who lives not too far from this magnificent park. Lonely Planet said that "Moderate Fitness is required." Feeling rather somewhat fit, we were off to our start. Passing by a beautiful Buddhist Temple and then up several sets of rocks and stairs. We must have climbed for around 2 hours at least to get to the top (in some areas...it was straight up...and you had to pull yourself up with a rope and a pole). The trees along the trail were worn smooth due to people bracing themselves.

The Koreans were just so nice and friendly to us all: offering us apples and water. There was a group of deaf people climbing...they were making sure that we had water. We then showed them Brian's water pack on his back. They told us in sign language that we were "smart". It's just amazing how nice they are. Some would just walk by and say "hi"..ask us where we were from...etc.

Our goal was to climb the three peaks: Juanbong (739m tall), Manjanbong (718m tall), and Dobongsan (740m tall). It was Chuseok Holiday here (Korea's Thanksgiving) so many families all had the same bright idea. A bit crowded, we climbed, and climbed...taking breaks when necessary. As we were almost to the top of Juanbong, we saw that it was a straight incline to the top...hoisting yourself up with a rope and a metal pole was the only option--as the rocks were slippery.

The view was simply breathtaking once we arrived to the summit. You could see for miles- it was worth all the work and sweat. I commend all the older people and children (great way to make them tired:) we saw doing this hike. This brings the definition of "moderate fitness" to a new level.

We stopped for a sandwich and a granola bar at the summit--One Korean man said, "wow...You got nice sandwich, we have rice cakes and kimchi!" I thought it was funny--but really...you could smell the kimchi coming through people's pores.

Our next mission was to get across the slight and narrow path to arrive at the next peak. We passed a Korean man who said, "Very scary, but very beautiful." We had no clue what we were in for. Lonely Planet left out that you might need to clip yourself in, bring gloves, and some type of security rope. They did say this, "Here the adventure begins as your scramble down a ravine helped by metal cables, then up and along a rocky ridge and through narrow crevices." The path was running both ways...and there was only room for one person on this tight and narrow path. One wrong step--and you were done. Cindy made it to the top part holding on, and then looked back at us. She said the path was a straight descend down..and there were endless people trying to get up. We vouched for the simpler way down the mountain--It was simply too crowded, and our safety was at risk. We'll have to go back another time, and do this hike in reverse order.

Hiking back down the mountain took about 2 and 1/2 hours. We took a different route full of lush trees, ferns, huge boulders, and fresh springs. A nice refreshing CASS beer rewarded us at the bottom for our safe return. AND then, you guessed it, a wonderful, cold, MELON POP.
Needless to say, we slept great that night!

Cindy, D, and B at the start of our Hike.