Climbing Korea’s 120 summits was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Exploring a country on foot is truly the best way to experience it. I can’t recommend pedestrian adventure enough, whether you’re climbing one peak of a lifetime, backpacking through a wilderness, or checking off summits on either of Korea’s 100 summits lists.
No matter how you answer the call of the mountains, you’ll have a great time. But here are a few suggestions to help you have the very best time climbing Korea’s 120 summits – or any other peaks!
1. Seasons may change…
…your impression of a mountain. Your experience might will be significantly altered by the time of year that you visit and the accompanying weather! Even the time of day you hike can play a huge role in perception: think sunrise/sunset colors, the presence/absence of crowds and sunshine or lack of it on your chosen route!
There’s no right time of year or day to explore: there are just different benefits! But great timing and good weather made my experience on many mountains. For instance, I experienced the best of Korea’s four seasons on Gajisan, Cheongnyangsan, Bulgapsan and Songnisan!
Conversely, some of my mountain explorations were cut short due to adverse conditions. I’d love to give Cheonmasan, Samaksan, Sobaeksan and Yonghwasan another go under more favorable circumstances. And I’d love to return to see my favorite peaks change through the seasons!
2. Be prepared
As my Norwegian friends say, ‘there is no bad weather, only bad gear‘. If you are properly equipped for your frosty winter journey or your summer trek through a tropical downpour, you’ll do alright. Great gear makes for safe journeys, and you’ll have the trails to yourself! It can be exhilarating and confidence-building to step outside our comfort zones and experience the outdoors in all its raw glory.
Looking back, the coldest winter weather I remember experiencing in Korea was on the summit of Hambaeksan – but I donned a parka to tag that peak! Likewise, it was seriously snowy on our long Gwandeoksan run – but I wore a sweater, mittens and crampons, and I was just fine. Kent and I both sweat buckets on a summer Daeyasan run – but we also brought enough water to keep us going! We even took an umbrella with us for one very rainy Geumosan outing during monsoon season!
3. This is NOT the way.
Likewise, I’d argue that while every summit is special, not every route is the right one! Expect episodes of ‘type 2 fun’ if you venture off-trail, get lost or find yourself on an eroded or closed route. Don’t get me wrong: taking the lesser-known path often pays off, in life as on mountains. But sometimes the hipster trail will make your expedition tougher than it needs to be.
For me, Gongjaksan, Gubyeongsan and Hwangseoksan all spring to mind as summits that would be worth re-experiencing on less alternative routes!
4. Challenge your limits
On the other hand, sometimes even the best routes may test you. And this is a good thing! Maybe you’ll try the longest way, tackle the hardest trail or face down a fear of heights. And from that, you’ll grow. Next time, what was once hard will be a little easier. Hiking and mountain running are great ways to build confidence.
Personally, I was challenged on the icy trails of Cheontaesan in winter, by a truly epic ropes course on Huiyangsan and with vertigo on the steep spires of Joryeongsan. But all three wound up being some of my very best mountain memories! And I know I’m tougher for having ventured beyond what I thought were my limits.
5. Appreciate the awesome
Sometimes you get lucky and have a perfect day on the trails! This is often a combination of a number of variables, such as great weather, gear, company, scenery and snacks. Sometimes it’s a feeling of athletic accomplishment, and sometimes it’s that view that takes your breath away. It’s being perfectly present in space and time, and within yourself. Embrace that feeling!
Thanks to the awesomeness of Korea’s peaks, I’ve had a lot of these wonderful days! Our outings on Bangjangsan, Doraksan, Gyebangsan, Jangansan, Minjujisan, Noinbong, Palbongsan and Paryeongsan are perfect examples of super happy days.
6. The flip side of favorites
But on the other hand, it’s okay not to be charmed equally by everything. Really. Maybe circumstances dictated a rushed run or late start. Perhaps you were hangry and it affected your outlook. It’s possible you just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Whatever the reason, it’s likely some mountains will stand out more in your memory than others. That’s fine: appreciate what you can and move on.
I love all the mountains, I really do! But Chilgapsan, Chuwolsan and Deokhangsan weren’t quite as magical or memorable to me. That doesn’t mean they won’t amaze you – and it’s likely that I’d have a different impression myself if I visited a second time!
7. Plan your peaks!
The best way to maximize your mountain time (and minimize your transit time) is by planning ahead – and planning smart. If you’re headed to Gyeongsangbukdo for a long weekend, make it your business to know which ridges are linked and what summits are nearby.
Some say the 100 summits challenges are a logistical nightmare. Maybe it’s true: I have half a dozen spreadsheets and countless notebooks detailing the planning of my 120 summits project. Kent and I zigged and zagged across the country and, despite an aggressive schedule, definitely were less efficient than we could have been.
But that’s because I did not plan smart from the start. Kent and I had previously been to all the national parks, for example, but not every peak within those parks. Plus, our challenge ballooned by an extra 20 summits midway through when we learned about the Black Yak list from a friend. I only became an expert mountain mission planner after lots and lots of practice.
Save yourself time and money by choosing your mission and scheduling it out in advance to avoid repetition and needless travel. Consider taking on this challenge with friends or as part of a hiking club if the planning part doesn’t delight you as much as the hiking.
So there you have it – a handful of takeaways from my experience climbing Korea’s 120 summits. I hope this helps you to get the most out of your own missions. For more about the 120 summits mission, please visit my main page on the subject – or check out the Korea Forest Service list directly, or get signed up for the Black Yak club.
As always, happy hiking my friends! May your summits be splendid! 🙂