A few of us expat-types are doing something pretty interesting this fall, and I’ve been intending to post about it, and now I’m stimulated into action by an article by Roger Shepherd, one of my partners in this noble project, appearing on the Seoul Times web-newspaper. See the ST front page and click on “Baekdu-daegan 2007 Expedition” to read his essay. If you’re interested to know more, and to see some of the initial photos, go to the Expedition Blog.
Simply put, these two Kiwi gentlemen (devoted, experienced and very strong trekkers) are going to hike the entire Baekdu-daegan Range-ridge S–>N within South Korea, from Jiri-san up to Seorak-san, over about nine weeks this September-October. A few others of us will give them the minimal assistance they need. In in a few places where the trail is closed for nature-preservation but purposes, they will hike around the closed sections on the most interesting possible alternate trails; major historic and cultural sites nearby the trail will be visited. A lot of research by myself and sample hikes by us all have been done in advance. We are hoping for some good coverage by Korean or regional media, and an appropriate amount of attention / support from the various Korean governments, relevant NGOs and hiking associations — a few positive responses have already been obtained.
More than a few Koreans have already accomplished this long-distance trek, But we’re not aware of any non-Koreans who have done it — if you know of any, please tell me about it (post a reply here or e-mail me). My own biggest role in this project will be to compile and edit the information and photographs that Roger and Andrew obtain on their Expedition and combine it all together with my research on the history & culture (with knowledge of the flora, fauna and ecological conditions from my friend Shawn Morrissey, President of the Korean Mountaineering League NGO) — to result in two books (a big hardcover with everything and a paperback hiking-trail-guide) from a major publisher in 2008 — the first real publications about the Baekdu-daegan in English.
If you have any interest in this, we welcome it — post a reply here and keep up with the Blog. If there is interest i will keep the Marmot’s Hole informed of the progress of this Expedition and the writing of the books.
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15 Comments
Great idea! In my opinion, Korea is a great place to do out-of-the-park activities. The last time I went fishing, I was awarded the ‘foreigner prize’ (even though I didn’t catch a single ssogari) which included a winter jacket and ski pants.
I suggest you folks capture the attention of the National Geographic, if you can. I remember a few years back they did an article on three gentlemen who climbed Mt. Snowden, Ben Nevis and whatever passes for a mountain in England in a single day. Great article! I am sure that some kind of expedition like this could come up with something comparable.
You know, I’ve always wondered whether it’s possible to hike all that way.
Sanshinseon, I have your last book and I can’t wait for the next one, whenever it comes out.
Fantastic! I’m looking forward to following every day of their journey. This is absolutely awesome stuff. Hopefully, they’ll take time to explore some of the most notable temples, hermitages, and gates (鳥嶺第三門 (Joryeong Jesammun, a.k.a. Mungyeong gate #3 comes to mind) en route!
David, upon reading Roger’s Seoul Times piece, I am not ashamed in the least to say that that was a beautiful essay. I’m going to be following their trek daily, and if a guidebook comes out of it, I’ll be sure to snap it up.
For guaranteed media coverage, just punch someone in the face every day!
Thanks McGenghis, Trot and sewing!
I really hope that we can make something good out of this, and boost Korea’s hiking-tourism-reputation just a tad…
> Hopefully, they’ll take time to explore some of
> the most notable temples, hermitages, and gates (Mungyeong)
Yes, that is definitely a main part of the plan. They want to come down off the ridge to see as many of those kinds of places as they have time or energy to do (very few of those sites are on or right next to the ridge). If you think about how many truly amazing places they’ll be passing close by, it’s staggering… I will try to include a list of best of them in my writings, pointing out themes in the history of Korean culture with those treasures as examples.
I hope that this expedition and all its resulting publications and publicity can serve in themselves as a gentle rejoinder to the unexperienced or mindless bored-because-boring fools who always post “Korea has nothing interesting to do or see” every time there’s a tourism thread here on the Hole…
> I suggest you folks capture the attention
> of the National Geographic, if you can.
Yup, an attempt to interest them in this is already in process…
> For guaranteed media coverage, just
> punch someone in the face every day!
But Max, these expeditioning gentlemen are Kiwis of solid Scottish or Irish heritage — you certainly cannot be suggesting, Sir, that such people might ever be immoderate in alcohol consumption or prone to scrappy fisticuffs…
Especially not if they’re Scots Irish (which I am 1/4, so I’m allowed to make the comment
).
Sanshinseon, I also posted a more detailed comment on their blog, but as of yesterday, it was sitting in moderation. In addition to Mungyeong Saejae, there is of course Buseoksa on Sobaeksan, which they cannot miss under any conditions!
No, they shouldn’t, sure — could even stay overnight on it’s Temple-Stay program… I’ve done that and it was great. The Abbott Geunil-seunim is one of the great contemporary enlightened masters, and a real nice guy in casual person…
Does anyone here know ANYone who has done this entire hike, Korean or non-? I’d like to talk with them…
I’ve thought about it myself for 20 years, but the only time i’ve ever had two months off work has been summers & winters, no good — it’s pretty much gotta be autumn or maybe spring… Not so many people EVER get two months totally free, i guess. And now i’m no longer in the kind of amazing physical shape that’d be required… hard to believe that ever i once was…
Has anyone ever done it? Beats me. Surely one of the Korean mountaineering clubs would know the answer to that one…. Or how about the guy who runs the 백두대간 첫마당 website?
Minor, utterly pedantic correction to my comment #3, for anyone who cares…
The sign on the gate appears to say 鳥嶺第三關 (Joryeong Jesamgwan; Joryeong barrier/checkpoint (as it were) #3), not 鳥嶺第三門. The last character is 關 (관계할 관), not 門 (문 문). …And of course, the whole thing is written right to left, so in fact it’s 關三第嶺鳥!
Re #11: Oh, i know that some Koreans have done it, members of those “sanak-hoi” associations and trips sponsored by the mountain-hiking magazines — there is even at least one “Baekdu-daegan Sanak-hoi” — but i was rather asking if anybody reading this blog *knows* anybody who’s done it, personally. I do wonder if my friends will become the first “foreigners” to do it, if we can legitimately claim that… Perhaps i can ask those magazines, they would probably know.
I’d bet a bunch of bananas they’ll be the first foreigners, but of course I can’t certify that. (Then again, it’s conceivable one or two foreigners have done it on their own in the past, without publicizing it or writing a book, but unlikely given the time and resources required without drawing interest from outside parties.)
Would anyone at the RASKB have any idea?
Well, if anyone at the RAS-KB had any idea, that would probably be me
And i don’t…