Seoul (Han River, Namsan Tower) Dec. 4, 2012

Hike Mt. Gwanaksan (Nov. 10, 2012)

5th solo hike up Gwanaksan.

It took me 1 hrs. 35 min.  from Sadang Sta. exit 5 to the top.  

Returned down to Gwacheon Sta. exit 7.

The whole hike took 3 hrs.

Notes: Weather was cool (approx. 15 deg C) and sunny.  The mountain was very busy - popular time of year.  Fall colors.  The total value of the hiking gear on that mountain was amazing.  The Koreans take their hiking seriously.  Most everyone is in full kit with $200 hiking shoes, poles, full backpacks, etc.  Some even with down jackets.  Pretty much all the people I see, though, are good hikers.  They move along well and are having fun.  It is a social thing, with long stops for food and drink in scenic spots - very nice.  I stand out quite a bit because I am a large American, the only one on the mountain wearing shorts, I don't stop, and I am "outfitted" with only my discount New Balance sneakers, long-sleeve T-shirt, $7 Walmart shorts and a fanny pack.  I get a lot of looks...

Semi-Urban Hike: Gangnam-Seocho to Cheongkwonsa via the Seoripul Park Trails (Oct. 28, 2012)

Returned via JW Marriot at Express Bus Terminal.
Total hiking time: 2 hrs. (no stops)
The wild rabbits are in a park at around halfway...

Gwanaksan Mtn. in the distance:

Unaksan Hike; Gapyeong (Sept. 22, 2012)

Photos are from hike up Unaksan (937.5 meters), "The Rock Mountain in the

Clouds" in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province. 
We traveled by bus (approx. 2 hrs. each way from Cheongnyangni Station) to the mountain and hiked for approx. 5-1/2 hours.  Some foliage was already starting to change color.  The following is the website introducing the
mountain.
http://www.woonaksan.co.kr/

Hardware store on wheels:

 Making Tofu:

Yes, you saw this right. The sign says that if you touch this you will have a boy:

Enjoying popsicles on the top.  This guy hauls them up the mountain, packed in dry ice, to sell them from KRW 2000 each.  He does this every day of the year, except in winter.  Maybe he knows some shortcuts to the top, but he still hikes 5 hours every single day - he must be very fit!