Gangwondo Hongcheun Galisan Climb in Korean- Galisan Recreation Center Course - Hike

  Date and Time : July 06, 2018.  08:0 0~14:30 (6 hours and 30 minutes including break one and half an hours).

2.     Location : Hongcheun District at Gangwon Province in Korea.

3. Distance and Course : About 16.53 km. Course is to start Galisan Recreation Center Parking Lot => Iron Horse Shoe Junction => Galisan Summit (1051m Altitude) => Gasap Hill Junction => Back to Galisan Recreation Center Parking Lot.

4.     Access :

There are various ways to the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal where you could use subway or bus or taxis depend on your situation. People are usually to use subway line 2 getting off at Ganbyeon Station and changing to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal taking 1 minute for 81m distance. You could take intercity bus bound for Cheoljeung taking about one hour and 20 minutes, nonstop. As soon as you arrive at the Cheoljeung, you should walk to Cheoljeung Bus Stop taking 6 minutes for 410m and change to Local Bus for Galisan and get off at Cheoljeung Bus Stop which takes about 26 minutes for 6 times bus stop passing. Please refer to the map of “Transportation from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Galisan Mountain Recreation Center”. I estimate total transportation time from the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Cheoljeung Bus Stop about 5 hours for round trip. But you would reduce this transportation time to 4 hours for round trip in case you use private car or rent car which you could save one hour for the transportation. 

4.     Overall Remarks.

      Galisan is known as the highest number of azalea blossom in Gangwon province which is mostly consisting with deep oak tree forest and with soft ridge line as a typical Korea mountain style. Water is originated at this mountain as main Hongcheun River and reserved at Soyang Lake which we could take look down at the Summit continuously. These are main reason why KNPA appointed this mountain at 100^th Korea Mountain List. There are many different species wild flowers living at the mountain which is very useful for Natural Observation Study. Gangwon Province appointed this mountain as a Provincial Recreation Forest in 1998.

      Name of Gali was originated with pure Korean interpretation “Pile of grains or fire wood” which is similar conical shape. Outlined shape of summit is very similar to the pile when you remotely look. There are three Rock Peak around the summit which is called as the best observation point and surrounded with Baekdudaegan at North, Hyeangrobong, Seolak Mountain and Odaesan along with Soyangho Lake.

You could take a look more highlight of Galisan Hiking which I recorded at the hiking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMzDpiJKAxA

5.     Detailed Course Information

I started to walk on asphalt paved road inside KNPA Galisan Recreation Center as soon as parked the car and turned right at the Parking Lot. As keep walking in compliance to road sign for about 30 minutes, I found three way junction landmark where I could see Hiking Course Map and indication to Galisan Summit turning left. When I moved up for about 2 to 3 minutes more from the three way junction, I could reach sign saying I could now officially start to hike and rough estimation for round hiking to the Summit as 5 km. I kept waking on the paved road for about 5 minutes and reached end of paved road and starting off road for hiking. I thought off road condition is still acceptable and no problem yet for climb today. As I walked through somewhat rough road, crossing rough stream and sometimes following the stream, passing thicker tartaric forest, steed wood bar stairs and somewhat deeply sloped ridge road for about more than one hour and reached junction at Iron Horse Shoe Hill stating as 900m to the Summit and the other road indicating to alternative road back to Parking Lot. I continuously walked up on this soft ridge road for 20 minutes and reached next junction saying as 300m to the Summit. I tried to look up the summit through oak tree forest and could see hardly image of summit shape like conical hat. As I passed oak tree forest and rock path supporting with   safety rope for about 20 minutes, I finally touched down Galisan Summit Stone-1051 m altitude and took a nice photo as well as fantastic video around the Summit. As soon as finished the shot, I moved to Pea No 2 and 3 which are not far from the Summit and took a good Picture at the good shot point somewhere at middle of downhill from the Summit. As I hardly reached Peak No 2 and No 3, I also shot nice video around the Peak 2 and Peak 3 respectively as you see at the Video herein. I also took a good point of the Summit View from Peak No 2 and took a short break for snack after shot. As soon as I looked around all Peaks from Peak 1 (Summit), Peak 2 and 3, I checked landmark showing indication to downhill back to Parking Lot No 1 and started to downhill following this indication through ridge road at the oak tree forest and slippery path on rock for about half an hour, reached junction stating as 3.2km to the Parking Lot. As I walked on easy and soft ridge road for about 20 minutes, I touched next Junction landmark showing direction to Parking Lot. I kept walking down through soft ridge road at the oak tree forest and tamarack forest for about one hour and found landmark saying as 2w.1km to the Parking Lot. As I walked down through the same oak tree forest and road besides stream for about one more half an hour, I could find next landmark indication as 1.2km to Parking Lot. Thereafter I was easy walking down since paved road inside KNPA Galisan Recreation Center, soft and no seat road for about one more half an hour and eventually returned Galisan parking Lot No 1 after two and half an hour downhill from the Summit.                          .       

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Why Korean sticks to Korea meat even pay much higher price?

A. Followings are comparison between Korea meat and imported meat referring to price level for Korea meat from National Agricultural Cooperative Federation in Korea and imported meat from America (USA Choice Grade in 2008). As you see at table below, the meat Consumption by Korean has been continuously growing after in 2000 which would be in reference to economic grow.   1.     Price Comparison between Korea Meat and Imported Meat Meat Part Unit Korea Meat (KRW) Imported Meat (KRW) Remarks Rib Eye Roll Kg 11,000 64,720 Short Ribs Kg 4,000 58,456 Brisket Kg 2,700 31,312 Chuck Roll Kg 3,500 Tenderloin Kg 16,500 2.     Meat (Korea Meat and Imported Meat) Consumption by Korean Year Unit Meat Pork Chicken 2000 Kg 8.51 16.5 6.92 2005 Kg 6.74 17.82 7.60 2007 Kg 7.60 19.20 9.00 We could then raise the question why Korean meat very expansive Korea meat comparing to imported meat. They sometime pay for Korea meat five or ten times higher price than imported meat. There should be some reason why Korean pay so higher price for Korea meat. Most Kora knew well what is the difference between these two different meats in terms of juiciness and toughness which we would not so simply or clearly express what difference is. I usually bought Korea meat every week referring to special meat part against paying higher price like neck chain or breast or undercut and so on. I used to take these parts of Korea meat for long time and well recognized to see among these different meat parts. I believe any foreigners could easily and quickly recognize taste with Korea meat different from their home country meat when they just touch the Kora meat that might not use to take the Korea meat. If anybody may have an opportunity to come and see Korea, they should try to compare these two different kinds of meat and could confirm what they are difference. It is a main problem most Korea restaurant are selling Korea meat with very higher price here and there due to this so much higher price difference which they would easily maximize Korea meat selling. Therefore they are intelligently try to cheat imported meat as Koreas meat, either by lower grade of Korea meat or by higher grade of imported meat. This is common headache to everybody who like to eat Korea meat. That is one of the reasons why I usually buy the Korea meat at reliable butcher’s shop at the NACF (National Agricultural Cooperative Federation) in Korea and cook the meat at home. We have usually established regular restraint selling real Korea meat with reasonable price and could go and enjoy when and if needed. If anybody may stay at NFA condominium, they could usually buy high grade Korea meat at the nearest NACF mart and cook the meat by themselves at the condominium with friends or couple or family.      B. There was recent announce by the Korea Food Research Institute that total quantity of Amino Acid content at meat nutrition turns out among three different categories like from Korea Meat, Imported Meat and crossbreed as 70.7% at Korea Meat, 63.8% at Imported Meat and 54.4% at Crossbreed meat. They have done analysis research for these three category meat for recent one year as per the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. . Quantity of essential Amino Acid which could be produced by human body has been recorded as 8.6mg/100g at Korea Meat, 6.7mg/100g at Imported Meat and 8.2mg/100g at Crossbreed Meat which proved much better than any others and especially quantity of oleic Acid at total fat acid turs out as 48.7% at Korea Meat, 38.29% at imported Meat and 38.22% at Crossbreed Meat. Quantity of Amino Acid at fat which is close relation with meat taste turs out as 8.6mg/100g at Korea meat, 6.7mg/100g at Imported Meat and 8.2%/100g at Crossbreed meat and quantity of Amino Acid at the meat turns out as 2.41g/100g at Korea meat while 1.88g/100g at imported Meat. They told they scientifically verify difference between Korea Meat vs Imported Meat which were experienced through practical and living exercises so far.

How could you stay at forest lodge with reasonable price in Korea.

I think you there are many ways like hotel or condominium or B&B which you cold stay at near the forest in Korea. But there is no other way you could really stay in the forest than NFA condominium, National Forest Administration. I stayed at one of NFA condominium at Hanjeungsan last time which I could quietly stayed really inside the forest without any disturbance.  There arr always several reputed mountain near to the condominium which is inclusive of cooking facilities. You could conveniently come back to the condominium as soon as you finished hiking or walking at the forest since the condominium are usually at foot of the mountains. These condominium is equipped with shower and cooking facilities for your own. You do not need to bring any cooking facilities unless you want special cooking facilities. There are about 100 condominium at the mountain forest running by the three different organization, NFA (National Forest Administration or by local government organization or by nominated private organisation. But their condominium and its facilities are almost same since they are following NFA guide for construction and operation conditions. You could get some basic information of these condominium at NFA site but these condominium are independently running  as per NFA guide line. You may check this linked site for basic general information. http://english.forest.go.kr/newkfsweb/html/EngHtmlPage.do?pg=/esh/recreation/information/UI_KFS_0105_010501.html&mn=ENG_05_01_05_01
 I could introduce typical example of Youmyeongsan Condominium which is about 80 km at East from Seoul Downtown taking about one and half and hour by car. If you use public transportation, it would take more than 2 hour from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal via Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal. Enclosed please find NFA Condominium Fee which would be reasonable and  convenient price level comparing to accommodation fee at other private area. They made a group for house room and camping deck. Camping Deck is a deck for arranging camping tent which user should bring their own tent. You could see some idea of each room or camping deck at attached photo.  Please note this is condominium style which use must bring all necessary food or drink or anything they want. There is no shop inside condominium as well as near by outside.

It is the most important thing there is no English system how to book each condominium through each NFA condominium. Booking through NFA WEBSITE in only Korean, no English service available so far. Therefore you should book these condominium through your possible local channel. You could get some more at  http://www.huyang.go.kr/eng/intro_gyeonggi03.jsp 

Gyeonggi Gapyung Youmyeongsan Climb in Korean- Youmyeongsan Parking Lot Course

    Date and Time : July 04, 2018.  09:0 0~13:00 (5 hours including break one hours).

2.     Location : Gapyung at Gyeonggi Province in Korea.

3. Distance and Course : About 12.00km. Course is to start Youmyeongsan Parking Lot => Rest Junction => Youmyeongsan Summit (826m Altitude) => Back to Youmyeongsan Parking Lot.

4.     Access :

There are various ways to the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal where you could use subway or bus or taxis depend on your situation. People are usually to use subway line 2 getting off at Ganbyeon Station and changing to Dong Seoul Bus Terminal taking 1 minute for 81m distance. You could take intercity bus bound for Cheongpyeong Terminal taking about one hour, nonstop. As soon as you arrive at the Cheongpyung Bus Terminal, you should change to Local Bus connection with bus line No 32-22 which take about one hour and 30 minutes for 40 times bus stop passing. Please refer to the map of “Transportation from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Youmyeongsan Parking”. I estimate total transportation time from the Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Youmyeongsan Parking Lot as about 6 hours for round trip. But you would reduce this transportation time to 4 hours for round trip in case you use private car or rent car which you could save two hours for the transportation. 

4.     Overall Remarks.

      Youmyeongsan Mountain consist with gradual ridge, plentiful water at valley, fantastic and strange rock and stone and thicker and dense forest which become beautiful harmony with these particulars. There is well known Hyundeungsa Temple at the mountain which was donated by the king of Beonheung to Maragami Month in Shilla dynasty.

   The name of Youmyeongsan was originated from Mayousan at Daedong Yeogido which was first official map in Korea and thereafter changed to Youmyeongsan. Nobody knows when and who changed its name to Youmyeongsan and no clear explanation or records for these change. Miss Kim Yu Myeong paid a visit to Mayousan together with others and someone at the visiting group changed its name to Youmyeongsan according to tumor.

      There are several well-known puddles at the Youmyeongsan valley flowing original stream from Yongmunsan Mountain like Madang Puddle, Yong Puddle, Bakjie Puddle and so on. There is Silver Grass Field widely spreading near to the Summit which we could look donw and around view because there is not taller tree around the field.     

5.     Detailed Course Information

As introduced at the Map of Youmyeongsan Hiking Course, I have started to move up from the Youmyeongsan Parking Lot where I could check climb course again before the climb. As explained at “ Hiking Course and Closing Zone”, there are two possibly way to climb up to the Youmyeongsan Summit; the one is from left to right and the other opposite way, from right to left. I originally took a schedule to take the latter covering from right to left. But red zone between the Hapsu point and the Bakjieso Point was completely closed for nature preservation. Therefore I could not make complete hiking and instead just climb to the Summit and return back to the Youmyeongsan Parking Lot through the same course as shown at the “Hiking Course and Closing Zone”. When I started to climb at the Parking Lot, it was very fine and clean weather which I could expect very nice nature picture around the Summit. I passed the entrance gate and walked on easy paved road and crossing the wood bridge for a while and found so fresh valley stream flowing from the upper valley sounding nature stream sing and recorded at video as attached. I kept walking through the same paved road for a 2 to 3 minutes and reached the landmark standing at the junction, the one going up to the Summit, 2.1km and the other going to lodging house. As I turned left at the junction and walked straight ahead along with fresh and clean valley stream for about 10 minute, I reached second landmark stating as 1.8km to the Summit and continued to walk up on ridge road through oak tree forest which shows very fresh light yellow green leaves. I turned left at the junction and kept climbed the steep ridge road for about 15 minutes and reached break area where I saw landmark saying as 1.6km to the Summit  I found the road was changing to steeper and rougher than previous road which I came up so far. As I kept climbing this hard road for about three quarter minutes, I found landmark saying 700m to the Summit, less than a km distance. The road conditions was changed to rocky and sloped road different from previous. I continuously walked on these road for about three quarter minutes again and finally touched down the Summit – 862m altitude and saw very clear and good scenery around the Summit as expected earlier at beginning and recorded these pictures at video as well as camera. But I saw some dark could partly hanging over the sky which would include heavy rain inside. I so try to hurry up for getting down and back to the Youmyeongsan Parking Lot through same road as climbed up after about 2 hours for down walks.       

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