Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Njord]

I'm planning a 4 day hiking trip in Jirisan for Chusok and I was wondering if anyone has done this before and could give me advice. A hiking partner would also be welcome, PM me if you are interested.

I guess I'm not a very experienced hiker, but I've been on longer hikes in taller mountains before, and I go hiking almost every weekend. (Mostly in the local mountains, which, sadly, are all under 800 meters.)

I would like advice on the weather and conditions and temperatures on Jirisan at that time of year. Also, any advice on the route and shelters would be helpful. I'm thinking about a west to east hike with a shorter first and last day and longer distances for hiking the ridge line. Do I need to reserve the shelters now to be sure I have somewhere to sleep?

Also, I have a good topo map, but it does not list water sources. Are there many good water sources up there? I need to know how much I should plan to carry and whether I need to bring iodine.

[jlb]

Hey, this is exactly what I was planning on doing for Chuseok! It would be cool to meet up with a crew and do it together. I was thinking of doing the ridge line as well. I have a camping hammock so I don't think I'm going to book shelters...I'll probably use them if there's space but if not, I have the option of the hammock.

As for water, most shelters have a source and it shouldn't be a big issue. The maps they give out at the park entrances are usually pretty decent as well. Not sure where you could get a topo map.

Sorry, not so informative but we should definitely talk more!

[inspector gadget]

I too was wanting to plan a trek west to east, hwaemsa to dawaensa.
jlb, they are very serious about not camping on the ridge without staying in the shelter. I think it would be great to get a crew together to do this, should be nice up there at that time of year.

njord I earlier sent you a pm, maybe I will check into shelter availability.

[jlb]

IG...I didn't know they cared so much about not camping. Thanks for the tip. If you check into shelter availability, let me know what you find out. What days was everyone thinking? Leave on Wed. morning and get back Sunday sometime?

[Njord]

I was thinking four days. Either Thursday to Sunday or Tuesday to Friday. I have Wednesday off, so I would prefer the latter option but I would we willing to do either if it means someone else can come. Do let us know what you find out about shelters. The other reason to go Tuesday is that leaves the option of staying an extra day in the area, maybe even go rafting or something.

[heydelores]

I'm interested if my family isn't able to visit after all. Please keep me in the loop.

[inspector gadget]

Well I called Jirisan and availablility is not a problem, actually they said that mid september is when we should be booking reservations for the shelters.

We will have to make reservations through the headquarters in Seoul because foriegners don't have a citizen number which is required for there on line booking system.

I must wait till next week when I go back to work to see the exact dates that I have off.

jlb, actually there are steep fines for camping in the parks up to 500 000 won, so the 3000 won for the shelter is the way to go.

[jlb]

Hey, just figured out a few very tentative logistics...this is assuming that I don't get Wednesday off.

Thursday...leave crazy early (I'm in Cheonan) and hopefully get to Jirisan by 1:00 or 2:00 at the latest. Probably take a train to Gurye. Then local bus to Hwaeomsa. Hike about 10 km to Piagol Shelter.

Friday. Hike 12 km or so to Yeonhacheon Shelter

Saturday. Hike about 12 km. to Jangtemok Shelter

Sunday. Get up super-early and hike about 12 km out to Daewonsa. Bus it to Jinju (hopefully by 12ish) and then home from there. Would probably book or buy train tickets for both ends of the trip pretty soon.

Let me know your plans as you make them.

[heydelores]

That sounds like a decent plan, jlb. I hope I can join you all, but there is still a slight chance that family may visit that week. Jlb, I've read your Appalachian Trail journal. I'm in admiration! I hike quite a bit, but I'm afraid you'd leave me in the dust!

Keep posting plans here or send me a PM if anyone is coordinating by email. I'd really like to be kept in the loop!

[jlb]

Ha...did the AT a while ago! I'm afraid my hiking legs aren't quite in the same shape they once were. I think I will probably finalize my plans within the next week (hopefully I'll find out from my school what days I get off) and then I'll let everyone know. You're welcome to come with me. We could maybe all meet at the shelter on the first night?

[heydelores]

Sounds good, jlb. I hiked for 8.5 hours on Tuesday on a pretty strenuous trail. It felt great, but I was tired at the end of it. However, I'm a little disappointed that my weekend isn't going to allow for another long trek. Anyway, I thought your AT journal was great, and I've checked some of your other hiking information on your blog after following a link from one of your Dave's posts. I would love to hear your hiking recommendations for Korea sometime. That goes for other hikers, too. I'm always open to recommendations!

I'm not far from Cheonan. I might even be able to meet up with you there unless you prefer a solo day, which I totally understand. I'm still somewhat tentative, though, and I don't know my teaching schedule for that week either.

[jlb]

Inspector Gadget...can you let me know what number you phoned in Seoul to find out about shelter reservation. I'm assuming they spoke English?

[heydelores]

I'm 99% sure I won't have out-of-town visitors that week, so count me in.

[jlb]

Hey, I found a good online topo map. Here's the link:http://www.npa.or.kr/chiri/eng/nature/images/chiri_map.gif

Hence my updated logistic plans:

Leave Thurs. the 5th, probably by train from Cheonan (7:56 am) to Gurye (11:29 am). There's no seats left, so it will be standing room I think. I will probably get my ticket pretty soon. You can buy standing room tickets ahead of time, right? Then a short bus ride to Hwaemonsa. Hike 6 km to Nogodan shelter.

Fri. Hike about 15 km. to Pyoksoryong Shelter

Sat. Hike 12 km. to Chibanmok Shelter.

Sun. Hike 6 km to Daewonsa. Bus it to Jinju (about an hour). From there, make my way back to Cheonan, probably by bus. I'm thinking I may have to go through Daejon first and then Cheonan. It may be a long day, depending on traffic. I plan to get an early start though and would hopefully be on the road by 10:00 am.

[just because]

To jlb:
Can i make a few suggestions about your Jirisan trip(have done the big hike twice now)

Firstly, on the first day instead of going to Nogodan shelter, a much more scenic and less-crowded way is to go up the Piagol valley and stay in the Piagol shelter....it isn't any harder and with a lot less people(the trail is still very good though) you really do appreciate it more. It is also near a bit of a waterfall where you can wash off at the end of the day.The guy who runs the shelter is a bit of an old hippie as well and there will be 10 people max there(whereas at nogodan there will be 100).

It is probably one of the nicest hikes I have ever done in korea
Look here on the big map http://www.npa.or.kr/chiri/eng/nature/images/chiri_map.gif
It is on the left of the map(a red trail) just to the right of the trail that goes up to nogodan

I also recommend chilling out at the foothills at the end of your last day and making your way back the next day as it is a lot easier on your body as your legs will be stuffed and it is not much fun sitting on buses for hours after you have come down from a mountain trip like that..
Buses from Deawonsa to jinju are few and you might miss your connection to Deajeon(probably not though) so it is a good excuse to stay the night in the mountain village anyway