On Sunday we set out on a hike with our friends, Matt and Melissa. It was a gorgeous day, and Brett, our fearless leader, assured us he knew the best mountain to climb. So off we went. We happily chatted as we wandered the busy street on the way to the mountain. It seemed as though the good weather had brought everyone out that day. Koreans use this hobby as a chance to make a statement about their wealth. So only the best hiking gear will do. We ignored the fashion parade of pristine hiking clothes, clean (unused?) boots, large backpacks full to the top (we still don't know what they have in there) and the best hiking poles....and remained confident that we too could hike even though we were wearing jeans, sweatshirts, and dirty shoes. Surely the mountain accepts everyone.
Upon arrival at the base of the mountain Brett had chosen for us our mouths dropped open. "Dude!" I exclaimed. "Are you serious?" This mountain went straight up. It was scary. Everyone who knows me knows I love fitness. I take it very seriously. I exercise almost daily. And as I stood at the bottom looking up at this looming mass of land I had some serious doubts. AND there was practically nobody on it. The rest of the mountains were packed with Koreans....yet this one was bare....a sign for sure. But Brett simply replied "YEP" and started his way up. And us three remaining billy goats had no choice but to follow.
We wound our way slowly up through rocks, dirt and grass and reached a landing where we caught our breath and enjoyed the view. Looking up we could see that there was still a way to go...and it too looked straight up. Melissa said something about how the view from the top had better be significantly better than the view from where we were. Brett said "YEP", and we were off. We passed the typical Korean graves on our way up. We are still not sure what the rules are for burying relatives in Korea. Can you simply carry your deceased loved one up your favourite mountain and bury them wherever you wish? Seems like it. We are mighty impressed that anyone could carry someone up that mountain. We joked that maybe nobody got carried up the mountain. Maybe that is where they lost the fight with the mountain and it was simply easier to leave them where they fell.
Well, as you can see, we made it. We made it all the way to the tippy-top. And then we slid our way back down using sticks to help us keep our footing and not have any high speed falling collisions with trees. I guess that is why the Koreans carry those fancy hiking poles.
We looked back up from the bottom and felt like we had really accomplished something. We hiked a mighty big climb, and we even did it without the high fashion gear.
On the way back home we passed a man who had pulled his car over and was having a dance by himself. I wonder if he too had just survived a day as a billy goat.
2 comments:
Well done guys, of course we knew you could do it!!!!! Would love to have been there to share the view, it must have been amazing. Almost as a amazing as Brett actually leading you!!!! Go Brettles, mum and dad
Good effort! You actually inspired me to go for a bike ride and it was great ecxept for the part where I had to pedal back up Walters Rd to the top of the hill and had to get off and walk coz my legs went to jelly! AND it was only supposed to be 33 degrees and the radio told me when i got back that we had just reached 39.8! Hope to catch up when you get back and meet Cindy.
From Kel (aka ANGUS)
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