5 November 2022
Saving the best for first?
Short hike over Bulamsan from Hwarangdae station to Danggogae station
First hike of this trip so it was time to consult my list of possible hiking locations and find one suitable.
I wanted it to be sort of short, to be a warm up and to get used to my new Altra Lone Peak boots which I wear exclusively as if they pay me, and because long flights cause my feet to swell and everything else to be just generally not at 100%.
The weather is great, I thought it would feel much colder so I put on a Uniqlo Heat Tech skivvy thing under a long sleeved shirt, and I was too hot. I will have to re think this, it is actually supposed to be warmer in upcoming days.
My route was over a small military hardened mountain from one subway station to another. It being a Saturday I selected a location that does not rate much of a mention online thinking it would not have many people. It had thousands. I wonder how many millions might be at the more well known national parks today?
The ascent was very smooth and easy, but the path down was precarious, surprisingly so, with not many people at all, most of whom presumably doubled back the same way they came up. At one point with big rocks I lost the trail completely, but there were 4 Korean guys there who had also become lost, we shrugged and pointed and agreed we were lost, so we all back tracked together and then kind of made our own path that involved sliding on my ass more than I expected to today.
Now as I often say, warm up your scrolling finger because it is all BORING mountain hiking pics, top tip, learn to use the page down key so you can skip past them even faster!
The path from Hwarangdae station to the start of the hike follows what is called a railway park, which seems to be some old train lines along the footpath next to the road.
I thought it would be hard to find the start of this hike, but no, it has a gate, and is very popular.
There are lots of rest points along the way, and quite a few people brought their pocket dogs with them, can you see the dog?
My peaks for today are just beyond that ridge. This is the lowest amount of pollution I have ever seen in Seoul.
Much of the path was fenced in, sometimes on both sides, with the usual military signs, land mine warnings. I could hear some guns firing, bursts of 3 shots, which suggests it was the military, possibly North Korean invaders shooting hikers.
Lots of people all the way up today, which made public urination more public than is generally acceptable.
The whole path had these military pill box things every 100 metres or so. These are abandoned, there were more behind the fence with power and air conditioning.
Across the valley is Bukhansan National Park, which is where my first hike on my May trip took place. I might be back there in coming days.
Hanging out with a couple of ladies enjoying the view.
The fences stopped eventually and it became a really nice hike, lots of view points, a bit of colour.
This is the view away from Seoul, and yes it does look polluted. Seoul is massive.
Nearly at the top, the final bit of the ascent is too steep unless you have abseiling gear, so they have provided a staircase.
Nice clear view across the valley, the main part of Seoul is further left.
SO HANDSOME!
There was a lot of rock scrambling, especially on the way down, these ones are very grippy though, I hate it when they are fine loose gravel.
The proper summit had too many people. I opted against the covid encrusted rope to pull myself to the top with the crowd of people saluting the flag.
Time to start heading down, the tricky way. That mountain across there is Suraksan, which I have climbed on a previous trip. I thought this would be photo of the day but the light is kind of weird.
Looking back at the summit, all the people, and the staircases.
My goal is the train station down there, it is much steeper to get down than anticipated, the stair cases stopped!
I like the photos with rocks in them, so here is another.
Almost back at the bottom and you can see the peak sticking up, if you zoom in to the full res version you should be able to see some people abseiling in a pink jacket.
Last photo for today, taken from the moving train on my way back with the mountains I traversed in the background.