This is a series where I share the different explorations and adventures I’m fortunate enough to have in my life in South Korea. My hope is that through these stories you can see how simple, healthy, inspiring and fun it can be to step out of your house and explore.
Today started with an idea that ultimately led to a guidebook. Around my first year of climbing in Daejeon a friend showed me a sport climbing crag in Gyerong-san National Park (literal translation is Rooster Dragon Mountain, a.k.a. the ‘Rooster’).
What I remembered about the place was that it was pretty nice with challenging routes. But that was in the middle of winter with snow to our knees and digits freezing. Add in another 7 years, and I didn’t remember where the area was.
You, Dong-il’s English guidebook details 99.9% of all the climbing crags in South Korea. A great resource to discover new areas and remember old ones. It is the only English guidebook for the country, and while it lacks route maps, the GPS coordinates, directions and local knowledge make it a valuable resource for climbers.
After referring to the guidebook, I parked at the Gyerong-san parking lot, and began the 30minute hike on suspicious trails to a obscure crag. I couldn’t find it so I took a walkabout in the woods for an hour checking out other stuff. Having the sun out helped to make it a pretty special autumn Friday.
My hike led to an altar of an ancient religion still practiced in South Korea. To honour the spirits of ancestors, practitioners will light candles, offer rice and fruit, and say prayers.
Mountain shamanism is popular in the area. The ‘Rooster’ is known to have a strong female energy that shamanistic priestesses channel in ceremonies that can sometimes be heard in the distance. The Korean president is said to be extremely influenced by one of these religious leaders. I’ve meet a ghost here.
The surrounding mountains and their rocky ridges bring a sense of grandness to the areas. The potential for classic routes here is inspiring. I’ve always got plans spinning in my head. Who can I call? Who’s up for an adventure? Which line should we do first?
Unfortunately, the National Park Services does not support the development of climbing. Instead of capitalizing on the opportunities mountains offer in terms of healthy leisure activities, climbing is restricted or banned. To climb in Gyerong-san’s official locations, visitors should register in order avoid possible fines.
I get back to my truck glad there was still enough light in the day to go bike.
Most neighborhoods have their own mountain, a ‘dongnae-san.’ It’s a refuge for the towns people. You’ll see many of them hiking as a way to get some quiet in a natural setting.
My dongnae-san is called different names by different people. The neighbors call it Doan-gongwon, and mountain bikers call it Mokwon. The area has a fun trail system that caters to beginner and intermediate riders. The trail can be technical with roots waiting to bump you off the bike or flowy on tight singletracks.
I ended my day night-riding my mountain bike down trails lit up like a bike park. By the time I got home, the moon was out. I looked up at the sky and again, wondered what that star is.
