Climbing up to the top of Halla Mt./Jeju travel

*Notice- This article is written by non-native English speaker.

 

Today I went to climb on the top of  Halla Mt though ‘Seong-pan-ak’ route with Luce scholars.

Luce scholars is a kind of program which contribute each one’s talents for one year in one of  Asian countries after graduate from university.

 

In Korea, lots of students participate the program named ‘Working holidays’ to do the same thing. I think Luce scholars is a similar program to Working holidays.

 

 

They seemed to underestimate climbing up to the top of the highest Mt in South Korea. Actually they should have left before 8 in the morning but it was around 10 o’clock. It’s too late.

I was bit worried about their climbing and wondered how many people could make it.

 

Taking a group photo before climb up.

All of them were confident to make it.

Ok… Then Let’s see how many people could take another group photo on the top.

 

 

I took a photo of Mt Halla on the roof top in my house.

The weather was so fine and clear. Anyway I was little scared to climb to the top.

The shape of top looks like a giant woman lying down facing on sky. We call it ‘Seomundae Halmang’

The legendary grandmother who created Jeju island.

 

 

This is a brief guide line on the entrance. It is about safety standard and should-be-seeing places.

Many people tend to ignore it but you should notice it on the way.

 

Now, let’s start gallantly!

 

 

We had been walking for 2.6 Km so far.

It started hurting my thighs. They are quick walker and walking steps are bigger than mine.

I was really panting, panting, panting…..

Well…. I am a guide…. I should be faster than them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just now we just arrived at ‘Sokbat Shelter’.

This area was a grass field before but now it is covered by pine trees.

Some of them exhausted asked me whether this is the top of the Mt.

Well, well, well, we haven’t started yet.

We took some rest here.

 

 

It is a path to Sara orum.(Orum means a volcanic crater in Jeju dialect)

There are diverse Orums in Jeju island. Which Orums have water on the top among them?

Baerokdam which is top of Halla Mt, Sara Orum, Mul-chat Orum, Mul-yong-a-ri Orum…. I can name them. Could you name any other Orums with water on the top except above ones?

I couldn’t resist to be the top of Sara Orum….. due to lack in time I got ahead to the Baerokdam.

I should come back next time.

 

 

Walking, walking, walking….. It’s so boring on under the sizzling sun.

I am just hoping to take a rest in a minute when I get to the next shelter.

 

Hooray!!!!. I finally arrived at Jin-dal-lae shelter.

I was so happy to see this building.

 

This is another notice. You shouldn’t go ahead after 1 o’clock and you should come down before 2:30.

This rule is very strict. Mt guardians never give you leeway. Not even one minute.

 

 

You can have cup ramyun here. It might look very different and awkward in your eyes. However, it’s really temping to have some spicy food.

The price is 1500won for one and you can buy only two at most.

 

 

Having a piece of Kimban and a gulp of spicy ramyun juice…..

It remind me of have ramyun in military training center ‘Non-san’.

Now I filled up the energy to go to the top. Let’s go…..

 

 

1700m above the sea level…..

Now I have 200m more……

 

 

You are here……

bite the teeth and go on…..

 

 

I can see the top vaguely…..

But….

It’s still too far….. Panting, Panting.

I am well on the way….. Right?

 

 

The clouds are under my feet in no time.

Achievement! I almost make it!

Now I can see the feeling of climbers. Achievement!

 

The temperature of today is over 33 degrees.

Feeling like exploding the heart.

Desperately climbing up, up, and up……Why?…….to get achievement.

 

Now I have only 50m….

I want to see ‘Baerok-dam’. come on…..

 

 

 

A roe deer is grazing right under the top of Hallasan.

It may drink some water inside the Baerok-dam after people go away.

May be the legedary white roe deer was like that.

 

At last…..

The top is on my sight….

 

 

It is the top of Halla Mt. The name is Baerok-dam.

Due to hot weather and drought there is little water.

However, the magnificent scenery is impressive.

 

 

Jeju city over the clouds is vaguely on my sight.

The monument engraved on a Korean fir tree.

 

Wow, The group came before is already having some snacks. Feel little bit betrayed…..

By the way….. There is everybody? Less than half of them made it on the top.

I knew it would be……

 

 

What the heck! UFO?

It looks like landing on the clouds.

It is a security office of Baekrok-dam. It looks very special.

 

Taking a photo of myself….

frowning face….. too hot and exhausted….

 

Brief explanation on Baekrok-dam.

1950m above the sea level. length from east to west is 600m and south to north is 500m

The address is….

Hae-an-dong Jeju city Jeju island Korea.

 

 

Another group picture on the top of Halla Mt.

Congratulations! I am very proud of you!

It took 9 hours to come and go down.

It is more difficult to go down than going up.

You should be careful.

Otherwise…..

 

 

You have to ride on a mono rail like on the picture.

Not everyone can ride the mono rail……. Only in case you have injury.

 

Thanks for reading.^^