One of Those Days That Reminds Me That I Live in Asia

This Saturday I decided to again hike Geumosan to see the Mae an Buddha and reach the summit. I had previously gone to Geumosan last September by myself but did not reach the summit, being that i was exhausted by the time I hit Buddha. However, this time around I was in much better shape and was able to do all of it and in good time.

It started at 915am when I met Mike at Wolbae st. We were meeting Geoff and Jarrod and doing the hike, but being that they live in east Daegu it was faster for them to train and us to bus. We grabbed the 935 bus at Seobu for Gumi and got there about 45 minutes later. We grabbed a cab and took the cable car to the start of the trail and ate. Geoff and Jarrod met us there and we began the walk up. The first thing you encounter is a waterfall, which last September resembled a garden hose stream but in late April it's a real waterfall.

me at the falls.

We then began the hike up the mountain, starting with around 500 stairs until you reach a place that's safe to hike. We got great views of Gumi and the valley there so we stopped for water and to rest our legs. 

a view from Geumosan

We then had a 90 minute grind to a fork near the top. Left is Buddha, right is Yak sa temple and the summit. We went left and after about 20 minutes found Buddha.

Mae an Buddha

The Buddha was carved here in the mid 9th century and due to its remote location has managed to escape the destruction which ravaged Korea in the first half of the 20th century. For us it's a real thrill to see something this old that is, well, really this old. So much of what you see in Korea has been rebuilt since the 1960's and while it is faithfully done, a palace replica in downtown Seoul built in 1973 lacks a certain air to it that this has. Amazingly it is very poorly advertised and very few people seem to even know it's here. Not that I was complaining as it was great to have it largely to ourselves. A great piece of hidden history.

We then went back to the fork in the road and opted to see the peak. Jarrod had previously hiked this mountain nearly two years ago and had done the peak already, so he took the lead and we made it up in about 30 minutes. The peak is where Yak sa, a Buddhist temple, is located. There are also spectacular views of the valley from here. We stopped, ate, and enjoyed the cool breeze (it was 28 degrees in downtown Gumi).

Jarrod enjoying the view

walking down the stairs to Yak sa

me, Mike, Jarrod, Geoff

view from Yaksa

The hike down was relatively easy though my knees were a little grumpy with me the next day. We then grabbed a few beers at the base of the mountain before hopping a train to Daegu st. We parted ways there and Mike and I headed off to meet Kris and eat BBQ.

This is where I get really reminded I'm in Asia. We ended up at a restaurant that had put plastic chairs and tables with grills built in to them out on the sidewalk. So we were sitting outside with our own grill cooking meat and having a few beers while people just walked by. I think we probably broke about fifteen Vancouver by-laws, but to me sitting outside on a hot night with food cooking and a beer is such a part of Asia and something that should be enjoyed everywhere.

see what I mean

So 1000 year old Buddha, temple in the clouds and outdoor grilled meat. Yeah, that's Korea.