~ Seouled out in Seoul: Seoul Fortress Wall

Phew...! There goes the week.

Had mid term exams on Analysis of Market and Public Policy (Marginal cost; marginal revenue; Pareto Efficiency etc.) It was a take home exams, but I felt like I couldn't take the answers to a home run. It was quite tough, though I hope my answers were acceptable to the UCLA trained professor.

Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia 4,095m (13,435 feet)

My first hiking experience was more than 10 years ago climbing the highest mountain in Southeast Asia, Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Borneo. The mountain's initial height was 4,101m in 1996, but in 1997, a re-survey using satellite technology established its summit, known as Low's Peak with its new height at 4,095m (13,435ft). Hence, on my official certificate from Sabah Park still has the old measurement.

On 18 March 2012, Sunday morning, the school's hiking club organized our first hike along the mountains of Seoul Fortress Wall.

This time in Korea, after weeks of training and walking up and down the hills from our dorms to the class, I was more than sure to be prepared and conditioned my mind and seoul to climb Mount Inwangsan (338m) and Mount Bukagsan (342m).

KDI Hiking Club members with Prof. Abraham Shragge (red towel on his neck) and our sherpa,
Kevin Park (fourth from right) Sajik Park, Seoul

(Picture by Sana Mangi - Club President)

The 5,700m trail from Sajik Park to Malbawi Information Center

We assembled ourselves at the school's lobby at 0900H and walked to Hoegi Station. Took the Blue Line (Number 1) to Jongno-3ga Station about seven stops and transferred to the Orange Line (Number 3) to Dongnimmun Station - only two stops. From there we walked to Sajik Park, the point where the hike will start to ascend.

"Easy" 338m Mt. Inwangsan
(Picture by Vesna Sumic)

Arriving Sajik Park was peaceful with senior citizens exercising and kids playing b-ball. We arrived later than schedule at 1020H, and had a ten minute toilet break as it was against the park rules to urinate on the mountains (and I did not see anyone doing it along the way - not that I peek)

From Sajik Park to the peak of Mount Inwangsan took us about 2 hours with two stops. My legs and knees began to feel its lactic acid building up on the first hour of hike, but I pushed on after seeing girls and ajumma (aunty) walking with ease. They sure are fit!

Kids having fun

I saw a lot of families walking casually and in my mind this must be family affair with halmeoni (grandmas), ajumma (aunties), harabeoji (granddads), ajeossi (uncles).

The little girls with red cheeks reminded me of my nieces and they looked like they were having fun. I saw teachers supervising their students and everything was in control and disciplined.

Mount Inwangsan's rocks
(Picture by Vesna Sumic)

On top of the world!

(Picture by Sana Mangi)

We decided for lunch break for about 45 minutes, before continuing our journey descending Mt. Inwangwsan and ascending to Mount Bugaksan. My initial thought was that we were only going to climb one mountain, but when Kevin Park said that we will climb another, I almost said that one is enough. But having experienced breath taking views, I knew I would not miss this for the world.

Kevin leading the way

From Mt. Inwangsan to Mt. Bugaksan, Kevin got lost when he led us to the same route climbing up the first mountain. We had to re-route to Mt. Bugaksan.

A view of Mount Bugaksan from Mount Inwangsan

For security purposes, we registered ourselves at the Changuimun Information Centre as the mountain ridges had anti-aircraft guns manned by the Korean Army. We were advised to bring either our passports or the Alien registration card similar to Malaysia's Identification Card, the MyPR card.

Pass Card for Mt. Bugaksan

Mt. Bugaksan was higher and the hills were steeper even with cemented stairs and wooden handles along the mountain. The climb took us about two hours as well.

One step at a time please, Mt. Bugaksan

(Picture by Vesna Sumic)

On top of Mt. Bugaksan

(Picture by Sana Mangi)

A brief history of Seoul's fortress wall:

One of the most conspicuous remnants of Seoul’s ancient past is the Seoul Fortress wall(서울성곽) that still encircles much of the old city. First constructed in 1396 – just five years after King Taejo founded the Joseon Dynasty – the earthen wall was built to join the ridge lines of the four small mountains that surrounded Seoul proper – Namsan (남산) in the south, Inwangsan (인왕산) to the west, Naksan (낙산) to the east, and Bugaksan (북악산) in the North. Although much of the old fortress wall has been torn down, significant portions remain and others are being rebuilt.

: A stretch of Seoul’s old fortress wall

As you walk along the wall, you can tell from the size and shape of the stones which era in which it was built. The original walls, built in the late 14th century were constructed of medium-sized round stones held together by mud. The next major expansion, which took place during King Sejong the Great’s reign in the mid 15th century, are marked by rectangular stones closely fit together. Another major restoration in 1704 was when King Sukjong rebuilt sections of the wall using large, uniform stone slabs joined so tightly that even a sheet of paper can’t fit in-between.

http://discoveringkorea.com/2010/09/14/hiking-seoul-fortress/

In all, it was the part of Seoul that I wanted to experience and enjoy. After a month in Seoul, I was looking forward to view Seoul from another perspective.

The next hiking is right after mid-terms on April 6th (Sunday) but for this hike it is organized by the school's student affairs department. This time to Mount Bukhan.

Unfortunately I will be going to Gwangyang, about six hours train ride from Seoul to attend an event for POSCO scholars. It will be a great opportunity to see more of Korea and get to know other fellows in Korean universities. Though I wished I could scale the mountains once again.

Until then, Mount Inwangsan and Bugaksan - till we meet again!