Hiking, Korea, July

[k47u...@gmail.com]

Hello Hikers

I'm going to Korea in mid-July (bad idea, I know) and I would like to
do some hiking (even worse idea). Obviously, the heat and rain are
major concerns, but maybe someone here can help me choose the best
spot. I am currently considering going somewhere in Gyengsangbuk-do or
up North-East to Seoraksan NP in Gangwon-do.
Is there a significant difference in the climate of those places?
Any suggestions for nice one-day hikes?

Best,
K

[QX]

Depending on how far off the beaten path you will be watch out for
unexploded ordinance, mines etc.

What I remember from my year (70-71) there was that when the seasonal
rains came, it rained day and night for about 10 days, cleared for a
couple of weeks, then more continuous rain.

[zoomie]

The climate in the ROK in July is hot and HUMID. It's a peninsula and
it's no less humid in July than it is in Annapolis or New Orleans.
Sorak-san is a popular place, it always seemed to be like a pilgrimage
to most Koreans. If you hike to the peak you need an early start, a
friend and I planned to summit Pirobong (about 1450m), the highest
peak on Sobaeksan and camp for the night about 16 years ago. We hadn't
summitted by 4pm and the rangers came down the trail and told us we
had to go back down, the peak was closed. When I asked why he told us
that the beer vendor had to leave early and it was dangerous. So there
was a beer stand on the peak, but we can't camp there because it's far
too dangerous.

That having been said, Sobaeksan is a much less commercial area, has
(had) free campsites and a monastary on the trail. I'd choose that
over Soraksan.

Zoom

[k47u...@gmail.com]

On 5 Maj, 03:41, zoomie <goodman.aa...@gmail.com> wrote:
> The climate in the ROK in July is hot and HUMID. It's a peninsula and
> it's no less humid in July than it is in Annapolis or New Orleans.
> Sorak-san is a popular place, it always seemed to be like a pilgrimage
> to most Koreans. If you hike to the peak you need an early start, a
> friend and I planned to summit Pirobong (about 1450m), the highest
> peak on Sobaeksan and camp for the night about 16 years ago. We hadn't
> summitted by 4pm and the rangers came down the trail and told us we
> had to go back down, the peak was closed. When I asked why he told us
> that the beer vendor had to leave early and it was dangerous. So there
> was a beer stand on the peak, but we can't camp there because it's far
> too dangerous.
>
> That having been said, Sobaeksan is a much less commercial area, has
> (had) free campsites and a monastary on the trail. I'd choose that
> over Soraksan.
>
> Zoom
>

Thanks for the input.
I might just do that. Getting there seems much easier anyway.
What would be a good place to stay? Danyang or Punggi?
I will be relying entirely on public transportation.

Best,
K

[zoomie]

Bear in mind I haven't set foot in the ROK in 14 years but I recall
both a hostel and several small Korean style hotels (yogwans) in
Danyang. I would imagine that as a tourist area the hotel industry has
raped the Sobaek area as they did Seorak. Seorak is a honeymoon spot
for the poor as Cheju is for the rich.

Zoom