The Jones' Korean Adventure

This weekend we had the opportunity to meet up with a really cool couple (David and Jerra from the U.S, who we hadn't met before...we have mutual friends back home) and go hiking with them. We decided to meet bright and early (ie. 10 a.m.) on Saturday and hike up Bukhansan peak, a mountain just north of Seoul. We consulted our Lonely Planet Korea travel guide, and found out what subway to take, and what bus to connect with to take us “directly to the front gate of the national park”. According to the book, if we exited from the subway station via exit 1, walked to the front of the art centre building across the street and got on bus 156, we’d be home free. The only thing is that bus 156 does not exist. We checked every sign, asked various people, and waited for a good 20 minutes before we concluded that the phantom bus was never coming. We decided to cross the road and see if the bus maybe went in the other direction. As we approached the bus stop, we noticed a Korean couple dressed in hiking fatigues. We asked them if they knew bus 156, and of course they hadn’t heard of it (thanks Lonely Planet!). We then asked if they knew how to get to Bukhansan peak from where we were…they didn’t. Finally, with no hopes left for hiking Bukhansan, I asked, “ummmm, where are you guys going?”. Of course, they were going for a hike, and graciously allowed us to follow them to the trail head. They then gave us their map of the mountain and sent us on our merry way.
It was a great hike…the trail was clearly marked, the sun was shining, and the view we got of Seoul from the top was well worth the effort to get there. It was the best view of Seoul we’ve had…the city just goes on forever! At the top we came across a cute little temple, and about 5 minutes later we found a fortress gate and wall, which we followed for a good stretch. A bit muddy (probably from all the traffic…EVERYONE and their dog was on the mountain this weekend), but nothing unmanageable.
Probably the perfect Saturday…great to meet up with new friends, and replace the sounds of car horns and construction with the sounds of birds and the odd Korean yelling - “Yaho” - from the top of the mountain.

Sam and I with David and Jerra - resting at the temple site.

I included this picture because I think I look a bit hardcore. This was part of the fortress wall...I wanted to climb up and get a better view of Seoul
The large peak directly behind us is Bukhansan...next time we'll figure out a way to get there!
That's Seoul in the background...it also keeps going for miles to the left and right of what you can see in this picture...it's a crazy big city!
I loved the warning to watch for the sole forest fire on the mountain. Very helpful, thank you!
Sam contemplating the order to "No Dump Garbage".