We reached the area at 17:00 and at first, we actually thought we arrived to the wrong place, because all the signs did not show the name Jirisan, but Sancheong.
When we asked where is the nearest tourist information, someone pointed along a really steep road, and said it is about 30 minutes walk. Since we weren't sure it was even the right place, Shay went on a reconnaissance and on his way, took a wrong turn and ended up in a place that looked like a reasturant. However, upon approach, a man came out and said the place is his home. His name was Mr. Park, and this is his story:
He is a hermit, who has been living for the last 11 years in a lovely wooden house at the foot of Jirisan mountain (so, we actually did reach the right place afterall). He is well educated and spoke better English than most Koreans we have met. He was an engineer in Hyundai, but at the age of 32 decided Hi-tech was not for him. He fell in love with this mountain. After climbing it 40 times in one year, he decided to quit his job and move there. He just came to his boss one day and said - I quit! The boss did not believe him. He called him the next day and asked - where are you Mr. Park?, and Mr. Park answered - I am in Jirisan.
The boss actually came to the mountain because he did not believe the guy. But after he arrived, he understood why this guy decided to quit everything and move there.
Anyhow....
Mr. Park was so nice, he invited Shay to stay on his premesis. So, Shay went all the way down, took his bag and wife, and climbed up again.
Here is Mr. Park estate:
Upon arrival, he offerred us Coffie, then beer and snacks, and after we calmed down from the difficult climb, he showed us to his guest quarters and we took a hot shower (yeppi!)
We then prepared dinner, and afterward Mr. Park invited us a traditional Korean tea ceremony with tea he made by himself from mountain flowers. We then walked to a near by reasutrant and drank the local Korean wine with him (note - Korean wine is nothing like a western style wine.....
It is made of rice and is not clear like the Japanese Sake).
We woke up at 5am and started the strenuous climb. The sun was just starting to show its face, and the sky were clear blue:
It was a difficult climb,
but after about 3 hours we reached a mountain shelter and a near by temple.
At this point, we were above the clouds, and it was starting to get foggy.
A Korean woman blocked the one second in which the view was clear....
The road is makred pretty well with these poles every couple of hundred of meters.
Notice how many dragonflys there are on the pole:
Two hours after the shelter, we finally reached the summit!
And drank water to celebrate the occasion:
The way down was hard on the knees, but we did have a chance to meet some of the wild creatures around:
Back at Mr. Park's place, we took another shower and said our farewell!
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