Soraksan

The 12 am toll struck in a cab in Seoul with 5 other people and a tolerant cab driver. I had a short stopover there for the New Year and then headed to the northern Sorak mountains. Hopefully the pictures will bring through some of the beauty. It started snowing as I started hiking Tuesday morning. The higher I got, the more thankful I was I had gotten some crampons with a gift certificate from one of the other teachers. I had never hiked with crampons before, but they proved essential. I got to the peak around noon and was able to borrow a gas stove from the shelter and purchase some ramien for nourishment. The way down on the other side was steep and covered in several feet of snow. I wasn't sure where I was going but had an idea I could reach a town on the opposite side of the range. Luckily at the next shelter I met up with a group of Korean's on their way down from a three day hike. They asked me to accompany them and we spent a bit of the descent on plastic bags, carefully sleding down the twisted and rock infested path. I was worried someone would get spiked with the crampons, but there were no incidents. As it was snowing the visibility had been less than showy. But the descent afforded some amazing views of towering peaks and a snow covered river valley. The lower altitude brought on less extreme temperatures but a less pleasing rain and slushy footing. We finished in the dark at about 7. The family of one of the guys (Mr. Lee) in the group lived in the neighboring town. They hooked us up with transportation to a sauna where we were able to warm up. I was taught the method of sauna going. First shower, then hot tub, then cold tub, sauna, and then over again several times. "Good for health." Afterwards we were taken to the family's apartment where an amazing dinner had been prepared. We ate and then I was helped to find a cheap hotel in town. Mr. Lee was an english teacher in Seoul and another guy, Jake, spoke pretty good english so I was able to converse a good bit with the group. It was a lot of fun. They were very hospitable.

The next day I went back up the mountain with fresh batteries so you all could enjoy some pictures that I missed with dead batteries. It was a beautiful day, just phenemonal views. Hiking in the snow is amazing. Quiet, bright, difficult, dangerous at points, but inspiring. So enjoy the pictures. Or maybe I can't fit them, so Ill try a new post.