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Autumn has arrived. Now we see the beautiful changing of seasons. Fading green leaves reveal beautiful, glowing colors. There is a cold nip in the air. Fall 2014 makes me think of Mt. Seorak. I hope many of us can climb it one day, if we haven't already done so. Autumn also calls to mind the wonderful few times I climbed mountains in Korea with friends and the Korean practice of mountain-climbing.
I'm not talking about rappelling up and down near-vertical friezes of awe-inspiring cliffs. This thrill-seeking and extreme sport experience isn't the same. I'm talking about what countless Koreans do every year, which is just to climb and enjoy the mountains and their environs. It's a popular Korean past-time and hobby. Wikipedia lists dozens of the beautiful places for practicing this form of hiking and climbing. The Korean Tourist Organization website has related information.
I had a memorable time climbing Mt. Dobong one autumn some years ago with my colleague and friend. Once we negotiated the opening pavilions of restaurants and sellers with their trinkets, we began the trek. It must have taken about an hour to ninety minutes, though I wasn't paying much attention to time. We made our way carefully. My friend kept us on the path. It's easy to lose the way! However, the number of wonderful views and serene points atop mounds of rocks and minor summits made their marks on my memory. After the climb, we enjoyed soondubu, a wonderful spicy tofu soup, and other tofu dishes at a restaurant near the foot of the mountain.
Another time, though in summer, I climbed Mt. Nam near Gyeongju with friends. This first climb saw me sweating away every drop of water in my body! It also was mildly frightening, since I had never climbed a mountain. There are few man-made supports. I hung onto many branches, slid my way along quit a few yards, and once or twice nearly tumbled down. In my mind, I cursed my friends. However, I remember when we reached the summit, our host sang a song for Korea, for the unity of Korean people. The touching sounds still echo in my mind. And I heard the sounds of other people nearby.
Koreans love climbing hills and mountains in the dozens of places that make this possible. In Seoul and other cities we see groups of friends emerging from their neighborhoods. Their attire looks like they're going fishing or camping. But they're going to climb mountains. Korean friends make these experiences a combination of times for bonding, for renewing and keeping friendship ties current, and for enjoying nature. CNN has a great preview of what it calls the seven best mountain walks in the South (http://travel.cnn.com/koreas-best-hikes-609141).
For much of its history, Confucian scholars and Buddhist monks, Korean artists and intellectuals, and Korean leaders themselves, have known the harmony grasped by communing with nature in the mountains. We can visit beautiful monuments such as Sokkuram. It is awe-inspiring to climb Mt. Toham and join a school group or other busload of Koreans there to see this monument to Buddhism and United Silla. The main statute is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and deservedly so. Korea's mountains contain many active shrines, sculptings, and remnants of historic hermitages, schools, and places of retreat.
North Korea has many beautiful mountains as well. These days, the politics of the North precludes South Koreans from visiting one of the more majestic, Geumgang. I'm sure many North Koreans trek its paths and enjoy its majestic beauty.
Present-day Korean life is busy. We need a respite. Taking a hike with friends restores vigor. This healthy and natural therapy reminds us of the wider reality. We need to understand that civilization and urban life are parts of it. Mountain climbing gives us the chance to pause and take stock of our lives.
I don't recommend hiking alone. Take an experienced guide or someone who knows the area. As I say, Korean mountains are "real" places, not tourist traps, despite what appears on entry at many parks. It's important to have water. Take a cell phone. Have a clear understanding of the route and exit points. Join with Korean and other friends. Or take a friend who likes to meditate.
Mt. Seorak is my next mountain. Many consider Seorak South Korea's most beautiful mountain. It's a counterpart to Lushan in China. My wife is Chinese and I'd like to visit Lushan one day too. However, my spirit thinks these days of Mt. Seorak. Maybe yours does too!
Bernard Rowan is assistant provost for curriculum and assessment, professor of political science and faculty athletics representative at Chicago State University, where he has served for 21 years. He can be reached at browan10@yahoo.com.
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