Bukhansan - Volume 2

Yesterday, Mary and I had our second excursion to Bukan Mountain (here's Volume 1). We headed out at 9 and returned at 6; a looong hike. On our way, we met a Korean man who lived in California for 15 years, named Charles Sohn. He was a senior and stressed multiple times the advantages of being one (free transit, free park entrance, etc). He was very helpful and got us to our starting point in record time; he even shared his tomatos :) The first time, we walked at least an extra hour before the actual hiking began.

We hiked with Sohn for a while, but with us being in our 20s, he couldn't quite keep the pace (taking 5 minute breaks after every hill), so he said to go on without him. It's amazing that he does the climb every weekend!

Mary and Sohn during one of our breaks

This time 'round we took a different route, as started by Sohn, towards the east gate. This way had a gradual incline that was less rocky. We eventually reached a 715m peak (second highest). Here's the full route we followed:

Trail route

Our last point on the route (far east side) before looping back was Daenammun Gate seen from a distance below.

Here are more pictures in a set and as a slideshow.