Back to the mountains

Things have started to get back to normal in Suwonville. All of my friends have come back from their holiday vacations and life as usual has re-commenced. Yesterday I finally returned to the mountains to do some long anticipated hiking. I hadn't been in the mountains since before the trip to America, so I had been anxious to go. First I had to wait for my mountaineering partner to get back from her training session in Nepal. I had sent Gina to Mount Everest on a trekking expedition so she could better keep up with me. Seriously, I have to commend the girl for spending two weeks on an elephant with a sherpa while staying in places without (gasp) electricity. To think I spent my vacation in Missouri. Who's the more adventurous here?

Gina has an idea to visit every national park in Korea. Since she couldn't find anyone else to go, she has decided to drag me along on her expeditions. Besides, it's nice to get out of Suwon on the weekends and discover new parts of Korea. On this occasion we went to Chiaksan (remember kids, "san" means mountain) national park in Kangwan-do. It took about a two hour bus ride to get there. So, at 6:30 Saturday morning, when my other friends were just rolling in from the bars, I took a taxi to the bus station. We started off at the temple at the base of the very wide mountain. Here is the gratuitous buddha statue picture. I'll include one every time just to prove to everyone back home how they all look alike. It is much colder in Kangwan-do, hence the snow. I came prepared with eisen, so I could easily traverse the icy trails. By the way, "eisen" are steel studs that you attach to your hiking boots for grip in snow and ice. Not only did these things come in handy, but I also said the word "eisen" (pronounced "eye zen") at least 400 times that day.

The hike was long and strenuous, but very rewarding. Hiking through snow and ice expended much more energy than previous climbs, but I kept up with the Everest (hiked around, didn't climb) alum just fine. Years of playing soccer will physically prepare one for just about anything. Here is yours truly standing on the peak. There will be many more of these shots to come. There's no feeling quite like standing on the peak of a mountain looking down on everything within 360 degrees. I love the unique respite of living in the city that comes with being on top of a mountain. I love Suwon... but, when one lives there a while they learn to cherish clean air.
Here is a shot of the mountaineers at the peak monument. Notice how the sky is a different shade? It's because I discovered picasa and doctored the picture to make us look cooler. In the lower left corner, you'll see some Koreans. My only beef with the last two mountains I climbed was the crowd at the top. I love when the top is a quiet, serene experience, as it was on Gayasan. However, at the top of this mountain were groups of Koreans. I have to digress here for a moment and say that Koreans must be the loudest people on the planet. My students will practically yell at each other from three feet away, and I have the sense that Koreans are completely uncomfortable with quiet. Often they talk loud and at length about trivial things in small spaces without any concept of other people. Not to say this is rude--it's not. This is just the way they roll. It's odd, and it drives me a little crazy sometimes, but that's just the way it is. Anway, I meant that to be more an observation than a complaint. It is a little odd to be on the top of a mountain after a long hike--a place I would expect to be quiet and serene--and find it full of animated groups of Koreans cooking ramyan (korean ramen noodles) and yelling at each other from point blank range. I sometimes fight the urge to say: "SHUT UP!! Just enjoy the scenery and fresh air!". I fought it yesterday and won. Also, I managed to have a great time and got vigorous exercise in the process. Looking forward to the next time, and it will be soon.