Yongmasan (The Pictures)

If you are a faithful follower of "Seoul Far Away", you are aware of a recent conquest of Mt. Yongmasan.  The following are pictures which serve as irrefutable proof of the great feat.

Trailhead.

Easy going on lower stretches of
route to the top.

Celosia along trail.

Palgakjeong Pavilion, set on side of
Mt. Yongmasan.

Ascent to Palgakjeong Pavilion.

From pavilion looking downhill
and out over Seoul.

Exercise area adjacent to pavillion.
Gee whiz...I think my
backpack is weight enough.

Sign pointing to the summit.

Trail leading to the summit.

Conqueror at the summit.

Conqueress at the summit.

Unfortunately, crystalline skies do not always prevail.
Looking out over distant Han River from the summit.

The descent. 
Still afoot before adopting the much
more efficient
stop, drop, and roll down the mountain technique.

Seoul Festival 2012

Seoul's weeklong big bash known as the "Hi Seoul Festival" took place the first week of October.  Koreans and people from around the world gathered in large numbers at the opening program in downtown Seoul.

The Citizens' Percussion Band led the opening parade which
moved in waves of participants and spectators
from Cheonggye Plaza to Seoul Plaza.

The crowd.

The Percussion Band.

Scores of volunteers used their bodies to separate
the parade participants from
the constantly shifting spectators.

Part of the parade procession.

The French street art group, Transe Express,
the festival's headliners,
perform on Cheonggye Plaza.

Transe Express on Cheonggye Plaza.

At Seoul Plaza, shadows of Transe Express aerial
percussionists and acrobat are
cast on Seoul City Hall.

Merriment and revelry on Seoul Plaza.

Dobongsan Station

Elderly woman at market set up in corridor
through Dobongsan Station.

The portion of Dobongsan Station served by line 1, Seoul's
oldest metro train line, lacks the refinement and
elegance of newer facilities.
On the northern end of line 1, the train runs
aboveground through several stops.

Bus stop outside station.

Corridor market.

Rotisserie chicken outside station.

Traditional Music Fest

On Cheonggye Plaza, preparing for traditional
Korean music festival.

Conquering Yongmasan

Early autumn has arrived in Korea, summer's humidity is long gone, and temperatures are comfortable.  It's a splendid time to head for the hills.

It's been a few years since these flatlander legs have negotiated anything more taxing than Wisconsin coulee country ridges.  Not wanting to overdo it, Stacey and I sought out a relatively easy climb.  Mt. Achasan in east Seoul seemed a reasonable choice.  Some blogger rated it a beginner's trek that could be accomplished in sneakers.

A fun and interesting feature of Seoul is the proximity of mountain bases to subway stations.  You can throw on a backpack at home, hop on the nearest subway, and ride the metro system to a mountain of your choice.  The nearest trailhead is usually close at hand.

Our morning research revealed that the Achasan trailhead could well be somewhat challenging to locate after emerging from Achasan Station.  Wanting to hit the trail without delay, we nixed Achasan and opted for nearby Mt. Yongmasan.  The trailhead practically kisses Exit 2 of the subway station.

Being a weekday, there was not a steady stream of hikers to the trailhead, and a small amount of tricky manuvering through apartment complex grounds was required to locate it.  It wasn't a problem as we were offered advice by yet another friendly Korean put on earth through divine providence to ease our way.

The trail up Yongmasan is a mixed bag of easy going and challenging stretches.  The lower reaches are a breeze with numerous staircases in places.  There's a small, elevated pavilion clinging to the mountainside on the way up, and nearing it, the ascent steepens and is rope rail assisted.

When you reach the pavilion, you've earned a well deserved rest.  I was hoping maybe there'd be a beer cart.  That was my American way of thinking.

But this is fitness crazed Korea.  Adjacent to the scenic pavilion, halfway up a mountain accessible only by foot or helicopter, there's an exercise area outfitted with barbells and various fitness apparatuses.  I thought, "OK, you've gotta be kidding me.  I've just lost five pounds and have already polished off my water bottle.  Now, I should pump some iron?".  If I had been so inclined, I would have had to wait my turn, as buff Korean guys worked out all around me.  Not wanting to be a sissy, I did pose for a picture near the weight bench.  Very near.  But not too close.

So, after I was done not bench pressing large, heavy, iron weights, we continued on up the mountain.  The trail gradually increased in difficulty approaching the summit.  I planted my walking stick firmly and checked my footing carefully with each step.

Occasionally, some young, puma-like Korean gal would zip past me like I was standing still which, quite often, I was.  Age does have its limitations.  And some Koreans have remarkable agility.

Undaunted, we pressed on and did reach the summit.  I thought, after all my effort, I should claim it for America.  Much to my chagrin, there was already a flagpole set in concrete and a Republic of Korea flag waving proudly overhead.  Others had been here before me.

We took the obligatory snapshots chronicling our accomplishment, lingered a while, and then began our descent.  The way down is always easier because you can just roll a good share of the way.  That puts a lot less stress on the knees and I do hope to keep my originals for some time yet.

So, we landed with a thud back down at the trailhead, dusted off our britches, and caught the subway train home. 

One summit conquered.  Others await.

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Stream crossing

Address plate

Fire hydrant

Idle time along the stream

Aerial Percussionists

Aerial percussionists rehearse in preparation
for Seoul Festival 2012.
Seoul Plaza.