Korea: A Wonderland of Mountain Climbers

<KR>
등산을 시작했을 때 저는 완전히 백지 상태였습니다. 저는 산에 대해 아무것도 몰랐고, 산을 나무, 흙, 돌로 이루어진 일종의 녹색 장식장으로 주변 사물을 둘러싸는 막연한 개념만 가지고 있었습니다. 100개의 유명한 산을 방문한 후 이 아이디어는 점진적인 변화를 겪었는데, 산은 무한한 보물, 즉 인간이 만든 예술품에 비할 데 없는 위대한 자연 예술품을 간직한 창고라고 말할 수 있을 정도였습니다.

어느 여름날 인터넷을 검색하던 중 우연히 한 장의 사진을 발견했습니다. 10년 넘게 사진에 완전히 몰입하지 못한 것에 대한 불만을 품고 있다가 그 사진을 발견하자 저절로 "이거다!"라는 감탄사가 절로 나왔습니다. 그때부터 사진에 대한 관심은 산, 즉 자연으로 옮겨갔습니다.

클래식 음악의 명성과 매혹 뒤에 숨겨진 이유를 모른 채 소리에 취해 성장하던 젊은 시절이 기억납니다. 무지에서 비롯된 억압감에서 벗어나고 싶어서 (20대에) 가능한 한 자주 음악을 들으려고 노력했습니다. 사실 저는 실제로 듣는 것보다 읽는 것이 더 많다는 것을 분명히 말씀드리고 싶었습니다. 시간이 지남에 따라 조금씩 더 많이 들었습니다. 시간이 지남에 따라 적어도 모호하게 음악의 흐름을 들을 수 있다는 느낌이 들었습니다. 이 시점에 도달하는 데 10년 이상이 걸렸고, 순식간에 영화로 관심이 바뀌었습니다. 저는 30대에 눈이 튀어 나올 때까지 그들을 바라보며 "내 인생을 어떻게 살아야 할까?"라는 질문을 끊임없이 던졌습니다. 하지만 명확한 답을 찾지 못한 채 40대에 다시 그림의 세계로 빠져들어 전시회가 끝난 후 전시회에 몰두하게 되었습니다. 또 다른 10년이 지나고, 제 안에 있는 무언가가 여전히 만족스럽지 않다는 신호를 보내기 위해 끔찍한 갈증이 싹트고 있는 것을 발견했습니다. 이 갈증을 해결하기 위한 노력의 절정에서 저는 우리 주변에 산이 있다는 사실을 깨달았습니다. 그런 다음 이 끔찍한 갈증을 해소하기 위한 긴 여정을 시작했습니다.

처음 하이킹을 할 때마다 항상 피로에 휩싸이고 숨을 쉬느라 실제로 따라잡기에는 너무 바빴던 동료 알파인들의 뒷모습만 보였습니다. 솔직히 말씀드리자면, 그들과 함께 갈 때마다 눈물이 고이고 그만두는 유혹에 거의 굴복할 뻔했습니다. 제가 이 모든 것을 견딜 수 있었던 것은 바로 이런 생각이었습니다: "지금 그만두면 살아남을 수 없을 거예요. 정상에 오르면 멋진 광경으로 충분히 보상받을 수 있을 거예요."

그렇게 해서 여정의 첫 부분을 무사히 통과할 수 있었습니다. 그제서야 지친 다리에 힘을 불어넣을 수 있는 경치가 드러나는 것을 볼 수 있었습니다. 산에 대한 호기심도 커지기 시작했고, 1년이 넘는 등반의 시간이 지나면서 (인터넷을 통해) 한국이 130여 개의 명산의 본고장이라는 것을 깨닫게 되었습니다(산림청 블랙야크 대표).

<ENG>
When I started mountain climing, I was a completely blank sheet of paper. I knew nothing about mountains, holding only some vague notion of them as a sort of green drapery of trees, soil, and stones to encircle the things around them. After making a visit to 100 mountains of renown, this idea underwent a gradual change - enough for me to say that mountains are warehouses harboring boundless treasures, namely, great artworks of nature unsurpassed by any human-made objects of art.
While browsing the internet one summer day, I happened to come across a photograph. After carrying a feeling of discontentment for over 10 years for not being able to fully immerse myself in photographing, the discovery of that photo had me spontaneously exclaim, “This is it!” From that point on, my interest in pictures shifted to mountains, viz nature.
I recall younger phases of growing intoxicated by the sounds of classical music, unaware of the reasoning behind its fame and fascination. Wishing to seek relief from the sense of oppression stemming from my ignorance, I tried to listen to music as often as possible (in my 20s). Actually, I should clarify that I read it, as it were, more than I actually listened to it. Gradually, over time, I did do more listening, little by little. As more time passed, I felt that I could - at least vaguely - hear the flow of the music. It took me longer than 10 years to reach this point, and in no time, my interest switched to movies. I pored over them (in my 30s) until my eyes popped out, incessantly posing the question of “How am I meant to lead my life?” Without finding a clear answer, however, I found myself drawn back into the world of pictures (in my 40s), indulging myself in exhibition after exhibition. Another 10 years went by, and I noticed a terrible thirst springing forth to signal that something inside of me was still not quite satisfied. It was at the height of my quest for a remedy to this thirst that I really took notice of the presence of mountains all around us. I then embarked on a long journey meant to quench this awful thirst.
On my initial hikes, I could see nothing but the backs of my fellow alpinists, always overcome by fatigue and too busy catching my breath to actually catch up. I must confess that, every time I went along with them, I felt tears well up and almost succumbed to the lures of quitting. What enabled me to endure it all was this thought: “Quit now, and you won’t be able to survive. Climb up to the summit, and you will be sufficiently compensated with a splendid sight.”
That’s how I managed through the first part of my journey. Only then could I notice the scenic views unveiling themselves to offer a shot of strength to my exhausted legs. My curiosity about mountains also began to grow, and with the passage of over a year of climbing, I came to realize (through the internet) that Korea is home to some 130 mountains of fame (cf. Black Yak of the Forestry Authority).
I began consciously climbing these mountains, one by one, following the Black Yak list and, frustratingly enough, was able to utilize the Trangle map of mountain climbing only after scaling some 110 slopes. Had I known how to use this map earlier, I’d have wandered around far less and with far less anxiety. Now, thanks to Trangle, I know about the essentials of mountain climbing.
In making a record of these climbs, from the very beginning, I would initially scribble down notes in order to keep all the memorable moments in my heart without losing a single piece. Because, at the start, I could only glimpse the backs of my fellow hikers, I really had no sense of where I was. That is why I could not mark off the courses leading to Bukhansan Mountain and Sobaeksan Mountain, and so I ended up just adumbrating my thoughts. Then, slowly, over time, I began to see the landscapes, pathways, and courses themselves, allowing me to write about the entire experience in greater detail.
In closing, I should like to say thanks to my publisher and the editors who made this publication possible. Moreover, I want to convey my appreciation to those who did such a beautiful cartographic job for my book. My sincere appreciation also goes out to all of the Society of Mountain Climbing Guides, the drivers who took us safely to our destinations, and the good folks who helped me write the manuscript for this book.
To me, everyone sharing their time to navigate through the days made all the more difficult by the pandemic is a hero. I have endless gratitude for my fellow alpinists and send out all the very best to you all!



<FR>
Quand j'ai commencé à grimper en montagne, j'étais une feuille de papier complètement vierge. Je ne savais rien des montagnes, ne tenant qu'une vague idée d'elles comme une sorte de draperie verte d'arbres, de terre et de pierres pour encercler les choses qui les entourent. Après avoir visité 100 montagnes de renom, cette idée a subi un changement graduel - assez pour moi pour dire que les montagnes sont des entrepôts abritant des trésors illimités, à savoir de grandes œuvres de la nature inégalées par aucun objet d'art fabriqué par l'homme.

En parcourant Internet un jour d'été, je suis tombé sur une photo. Après avoir porté un sentiment de mécontentement pendant plus de 10 ans pour ne pas avoir pu m'immerger complètement dans la photographie, la découverte de cette photo m'a fait spontanément m'exclamer : "C'est ici !" À partir de ce moment, mon intérêt pour les images est passé à la montagne, à la nature.

Je me rappelle de jeunes phases de croissance intoxiquées par les sons de la musique classique, ignorant le raisonnement qui sous-tend sa célébrité et sa fascination. Souhaitant me soulager du sentiment d'oppression découlant de mon ignorance, j'ai essayé d'écouter de la musique le plus souvent possible (dans la vingtaine). En fait, je devrais préciser que je l'ai lu, pour ainsi dire, plus que je ne l'ai réellement écouté. Peu à peu, avec le temps, j'ai fait plus d'écoute, petit à petit. Au fil du temps, j'ai senti que je pouvais, du moins vaguement, entendre le flux de la musique. Il m'a fallu plus de 10 ans pour en arriver là, et en un rien de temps, mon intérêt est passé au cinéma. Je me suis penché sur eux (dans la trentaine) jusqu'à ce que mes yeux se détachent, posant sans cesse la question de « Comment suis-je censé mener ma vie? » Sans trouver de réponse claire, cependant, je me suis retrouvé attiré dans le monde des images (dans la quarantaine), me laissant aller à une exposition après exposition. Dix ans de plus se sont écoulés, et j'ai remarqué une terrible soif qui s'est manifestée pour signaler que quelque chose en moi n'était toujours pas tout à fait satisfait. C'est au plus fort de ma quête d'un remède à cette soif que j'ai vraiment remarqué la présence de montagnes tout autour de nous. Je me suis alors lancé dans un long voyage destiné à étancher cette horrible soif.

Lors de mes premières randonnées, je ne voyais que le dos de mes collègues alpinistes, toujours submergés par la fatigue et trop occupés à reprendre mon souffle. Je dois avouer qu'à chaque fois que j'allais de l'avant avec eux, je me sentais bien pleurer et j'ai presque succombé aux attraits de cesser de fumer. Ce qui m'a permis de supporter tout ça, c'est cette pensée : « Arrête maintenant, et tu ne pourras pas survivre. Montez jusqu'au sommet, et vous serez suffisamment récompensé par une vue splendide.

C'est comme ça que j'ai réussi la première partie de mon voyage. Ce n'est qu'à ce moment-là que j'ai pu remarquer les vues panoramiques se dévoilant pour offrir un coup de force à mes jambes épuisées. Ma curiosité à l'égard des montagnes a aussi commencé à grandir, et avec le passage de plus d'un an d'escalade, j'ai réalisé (par Internet) que la Corée abrite quelque 130 montagnes de renommée (cf. Black Yak de l'Autorité forestière).


목차

001 Bukhansan Mountain ………………… 011

002 Suraksan Mountain…………………… 013

003 Dobongsan Mountain………………… 015

004 Unaksan Mountain……………………… 017

005 Sobaeksan Mountain ………………… 019

006 Geomdansan Mountain(한) ………… 022

007 Cheonmasan Mountain(한·산)…… 024

008 Gyebangsan Mountain……………… 027

009 Gayasan Mountain(Hapcheon) … 029

010 Cheontaesan Mountain……………… 031

011 Gwanaksan Mountain………………… 033

012 Yongmunsan Mountain……………… 035

013 Seoraksan Mountain………………… 037

014 Jeoksangsan Mountain(산) ………… 042

015 Cheongwansan Mountain ………… 044

016 Daedunsan Mountain………………… 046

017 Gahmaksan Mountain(Yangju) … 049

018 Manisan Mountain……………………… 051

019 Minjujisan Mountain …………………… 053

020 Myungjisan Mountain ………………… 055

021 Taebaeksan Mountain ……………… 057

022 Doraksan Mountain…………………… 059

023 Wolchulsan Mountain ………………… 062

024 Palbongsan Mountain………………… 065

025 Geumsusan Mountain………………… 069

026 Maisan Mountain………………………… 072

027 Saryangdo Island(한·산)…………… 075

028 Jirisan Mountain………………………… 078

029 Juheulsan Mountain…………………… 082

030 Yongbongsan Mountain…………… 086

031 Gubongsan Mountain………………… 089

032 Seonunsan Mountain ………………… 093

033 Daeyasan Mountain…………………… 096

034 Cheongnyangsan Mountain ……… 099

035 Banyabong Peak……………………… 102

036 Bulgapsan Mountain………………… 105

037 Deokhangsan Mountain…………… 107

038 Myeongseongsan Mountain …… 110

039 Juwangsan Mountain ………………… 113

040 Chilgapsan Mountain ………………… 116

041 Songnisan Mountain ………………… 118

042 Geumosan Mountain………………… 122

043 Deokyusan Mountain………………… 126

044 Mudeungsan Mountain……………… 129

045 Hambaeksan Mountain……………… 132

046 Baekunsan Mountain(Donggang)… 135

047 Gajisan Mountain……………………… 138

048 Baekdeoksan Mountain…………… 141

049 Jogyesan Mountain …………………… 143

050 Dalmasan Mountain…………………… 146

051 Palyongsan Mountain………………… 148

052 Gubyeongsan Mountain…………… 151

053 Gamaksan Mountain(Wonju)……… 154

054 Cheonseongsan Mountain………… 157

055 Deongnyongsan Mountain………… 160

056 Duryunsan Mountain………………… 165

057 Biseulsan Mountain…………………… 170

058 Hwawangsan Mountain……………… 173

059 Baraebong Peak………………………… 177

060 Hwangmaesan Mountain…………… 181

061 Joryongsan Mountain………………… 185

062 Daeamsan Mountain(산)……………… 189

063 Dutasan Mountain……………………… 193

064 Unjangsan Mountain………………… 196

065 Chiaksan Mountain …………………… 199

066 Dongaksan Mountain………………… 202

067 Gariwangsan Mountain……………… 205

068 Bangtaesan Mountain………………… 208

069 Noinbong Peak………………………… 211

070 Jangansan Mountain………………… 215

071 Chilbosan Mountain(한) ……………… 218

072 Hwangseoksan Mountain………… 221

073 Naeyeonsan Mountain……………… 225

074 Gwangdeoksan Mountain………… 230

075 Byeonsan Mountain…………………… 232

076 Geumjeongsan Mountain…………… 237

077 Hallasan Mountain……………………… 240

078-079 Yonghwasan Mountain /

Obongsan Mountain ………… 246

080 Palgongsan Mountain………………… 249

081 Woraksan Mountain…………………… 252

082 Naejangsan Mountain………………… 255

083 Gitdaebong Peak

(Hongdo Island)(산)……………………… 258

084 Bangjangsan Mountain……………… 262

085 Hwangaksan Mountain……………… 265

086 Moaksan Mountain…………………… 268

087 Mireoksan Mountain(한·산)………… 271

088 Odaesan Mountain…………………… 274

089 Seodaesan Mountain(한·산)……… 277

090 Gayasan Mountain(Seosan) ……… 281

091 Seonjaryeong(한)………………………… 285

092 Baekunsan Mountain(Gwangyang) … 288

093 Eungbongsan Mountain…………… 291

094 Hwangjangsan Mountain(산)……… 294

095 Taehwasan Mountain………………… 297

096 Cheonghwasan Mountain………… 300

097 Gyeryongsan Mountain……………… 302

098 Muhaksan Mountain(산)……………… 305

099 Chungnyeongsan Mountain

(Jangseong) ……………………………… 308

100 Namsan Mountain(Gyeongju)……… 311

101 Jaeyaksan Mountain…………………… 315

102 Garisan Mountain………………………… 320

103 Hwaaksan Mountain…………………… 323

104 Heuiyangsan Mountain……………… 326

105 Jeombongsan Mountain

(Gombaeryeong Ridge)(산)………… 330

106 Oseosan Mountain……………………… 333

107 Yeoninsan Mountain…………………… 336

108 Yumyeongsan Mountain …………… 339

109 Cheonggyesan Mountain…………… 342

110 Baekamsan Mountain………………… 345

111 Chungnryeongsan Mountain

(Namyangju)(한·산)…………………… 348

112 Gwanggyosan Mountain(한) ……… 351

113 Yeonhwasan Mountain(산) ………… 354

114 Namsan Mountain Peak1(한)……… 357

115 Deoksungsan Mountain(한·산)…… 360

116 Baegunsan Mountain

(Pocheon)(한·산)………………………… 363

117 Samak Mountain………………………… 366

118 Surisan Mountain(한)…………………… 369

119 Seonginbong Pea(산) ………………… 372

120 Soyosan Mountain……………………… 376

121 Gongjaksan Mountain(산)…………… 380

122 Mindungsan Mountain(한)…………… 383

123 Unmunsan Mountain(한·산)……… 386

124 Shinbulsan Mountain………………… 389

125 Chuwolsan Mountain(한·산)……… 392

126 Gangcheonsan Mountain(한·산)… 396

127 Geumsan Mountain

(Namhae)(한·산)………………………… 400

128 Buramsan Mountain(한) ……………… 404

129 Namhansan Mountain(한)…………… 408

130 Namdeogyusan Mountain(한)…… 412