Hiking in Changwon

Since I first saw the mountains in Changwon I've been dying to climb and hike in them. 

Finally that day came on Sunday. I decided to go in the afternoon, I heard the hike up a near by mountain (Mt. Jeongbyeong) was only about 4 hours round trip (the way I went up was much less than that) and a beautiful hike. The first thing I realized when I left my room was I forgot to check the weather and it was in fact wet and dreary out, but my main concern was the wetness. I decided to persevere because I really wanted to get up into those hills. 

The hiking trail is fairly close to one of my schools so it wasn't that hard to find, luckily and it was also pretty clearly laid out with a giant map at the beginning of the trail. Despite the weather there were quite a few people hiking up or coming down the trail. I wasn't too sure which way to go to get up to the top of the mountain, but I guessed and ended up being right. 

Not long after I had started up the trail I passed a middle aged man (honestly everyone I saw hiking was middle aged or in their 30s at least). Just after I passed him he must've realized I was a foreigner because I heard him say hi behind me. This actually happens to me quite often where people will randomly greet you in English or make conversation with you because they want to practice English, but I also think sometimes they're just being friendly. For some reason a lot of the Korean's I've met seem worried about me (mostly my coworkers, but still other people too). They seem to assume you need help all the time so sometimes they were help you out without you asking. 

The man asked me where I was from, a pretty normal question and he told me a little bit about the trail, mainly that it was difficult and steep. He asked if I was going up jeongbyeong mountain which I was and asked if I knew how to get up there, which I didn't. He offered to take me so since we seemed to be going the same direction anyway off we went. Now, I know what you're gonna say here going off with strange men in the woods! Anything could happen. Actually, despite being in the woods the trail was fairly busy, even for a dreary, wet day. I don't think I walked 10 minutes without passing someone. 

Also, if we were walking the same way I'd be walking up the mountain with him regardless so I decided to go for the less awkward route. It was the right decision in the end. He just had a lot of questions about Canada and what I was doing in South Korea, which was pretty standard. He also told me a bit about the area and seemed genuinely concerned I wouldn't make it up the mountain due the the steep hike (and my god it was a steep hike, for the last 15-20 minutes or so it felt like it was going straight up!).

The hike was gorgeous, even without the views of the Changwon below. Some how the fog and clouds all around made the landscape more beautiful and mysterious. I couldn't help stopping to stare down into the fog, wondering what was below. It was also kinda creepy not being able to see very far because you didn't know how far those steep hills actually went down. The top of the mountain definitely would've been more exciting on a clear day where I could see the view, but it was still nice to get up there. The air felt fresh and clean and the hike was strenuous but relaxing. 

After hiking down the mountain together my guide offered to show me a restaurant to get pajeon at the bottom of the mountain. Who can say no to that? He even bought me pajeon even though I insisted he didn't have to, I think it's a Korean thing? I'm not sure, can someone tell me if this was weird? (oh and the food was delicious, hard to explain but pajeon is like a green onion pancake similar to the kimchi pancake). Mostly I think he was happy to have a hiking buddy, as was I and he wanted to practice speaking English and here about Canada which, to be fair, is pretty interesting. 

I can't wait to go up into those hills again and do some more exploring. From the looks of the map (I posted it on facebook!) there are lots more trails to explore around Changwon. 

Also, mom, I will look into geocaches, just for you. And you would've loved this hike, it was a shorter hike than you usually do, but I also think the trail continued along the ridge for awhile, I just couldn't see it in all the fog! It was steep though so I got a good work out, my legs are so sore today! Anyway, if you ever want to come see me in Changwon, just know that the hiking is really good here, so worth it and very beautiful. 

Also, 

I think I must still be recovering because I just posted this on the wrong blog.