As you can see, the plan—ambitious as it already was—was to start at 4AM… with emphasis on “or earlier.”Day 2 came… and I forgot to set my alarm. Fortunately, I woke up around 3:20AM anyway, as all my roommates were already wide awake and most were fully dressed and ready to go.
The guy I met earlier—the one I gave a pack of cocoa to—noticed I was up and even apologized if he had caused any noise. I told him...
I stood up, stretched, and when I opened the room door, the cold wind hit me like it had been waiting outside all night just to check if I was going to complain. And honestly… it succeeded. My inner Queen Elsa was " bothered by the cold. " There's no way I'm going to the peak and wait for the sunrise at -1C.
I told the guy to go ahead and that I would just follow later for the sunrise—or maybe find another spot along the way.
This photo was taken around 5:34 AM...
...when the world down there was still half-asleep, while up here, it was just me… and while trying to decide whether to push on to the peak and join the rest of the trekkers for the sunrise—the obvious highlight of my Day 2 itinerary—or pull a repeat of yesterday and just catch the sunrise somewhere else along the way.
Ok... with the moon still hanging around like it wanted to stay for another hour... the sky was still dark... the peak "just" 1.7KM away... and confidently knowing the trail wasn’t too bad compared to the other side—except for that icy section... and with an IMAGINARY JUNGKOOK always ready to walk beside me... my spontaneous mind finally decided: TO THE PEAK SHALL WE GO.
I turned left toward Cheonwongbong Peak at 5:54AM, until this view said...
“change your plan, dear.”
The structure in the photo is the kitchen and dining area at Jangteomok Shelter. "Haring Araw " / the sun was clearly already gearing up to greet the people who went to the peak in the wee hours of the morning.
Take note, the original plan was 4AM summit, quick sunrise viewing, then descent, because I needed to be back at the terminal by 1PM to catch my bus to Jinju, where I already had a reserved 4:30PM ticket to Seoul.
I went on for a few more meters until I finally reached the area—about 1.2KM from the starting point. Not 800m. The tripod? The remote?
On my way up the wooden stairs leading to the narrow section with metal steps, I had a “mysterious encounter” with someone I honestly didn’t even notice was already there.
I finally reached the narrow area and stopped to take a photo of the view…
and there he was again.
At 7:37AM, when I finally made it to the top… just like the other day, I was alone again.
Sunrise at Cheonwangbong Peak.jpg)
You might ask why I didn’t just invite “imaginary Jungkook” at the peak. Well, I did try… I called... but his assistant picked up instead and said rehearsals had already started.
Ok... back to reality...
The climb to the peak from Jeongteomok Shelter side was surprisingly easier and faster. I even stopped occasionally to make video calls, and take photos and videos like I wasn’t on a time-sensitive mission to catch my bus schedule.
One thing I learned during my debut: not all big, wide, “this looks stable enough to trust with my life” rocks were actually stable. Some of them weren’t secured tightly to the ground at all, and the moment I stepped on them, they tilted like they had other plans.
If you were in a hurry or didn’t have extra support ( strong core, legs and trekking poles ), that kind of surprise could easily throw you off balance.
During winter to early spring, some rocks may look dry and harmless—but in reality, they can be partially covered in ice. Stepping on them without crampons will likely lead to only one outcome, and it won’t be graceful.
So yeah—stay alert and be very intentional about where you place your feet.
Here are two videos I took so you can better see what I mean.
And one more thing—ropes and wooden pillars aren’t just found in Mt. Jirisan; they’re common in other national parks across South Korea as well. The ropes were actually my favorite on steep ascents.
That said, you might want to pause and think about what some of them are really there for.
To better understand... click the video below.
Based on my DIY map, Yuam Falls should have been nearby… but I’m not entirely sure I ever actually saw a sign for it. I took several photos of what I think might have been Yuam Falls. Hopefully, at least one of them was the real one.
Was it this one?
Or maybe my favorite of them all—it looked shallow at first glance, but in reality, it was deep enough for adults to swim in. Of course, I didn’t go swimming, because aside from the freezing temperature… it wasn’t allowed.
Regardless of where the actual Yuam Falls was during my trek, the stream was all interconnected—so in a way, it felt like everything was part of the same waterfall system anyway. Reasons. lol!
I continued walking until I noticed the ajumma I had met earlier on her way to Jeongteomok Shelter had already made her way back to Kalbawi Intersection via the Rotary Shelter trail. In short, she had completed the loop trail in a single day. She was fast.
But somehow, I made it just in time.
How?
I kept my phone inside my bag and focused on only one thing:
hiking my way to the bus terminal.
It was a small moment, a random " organic encounter " this time?... but a memorable one. It was the first time I experienced a local going the extra mile to make a foreign visitor feel genuine Korean hospitality. I insisted on paying him back, but he refused. Of course, I still found a way to return the kindness—because gestures like that deserve to be reciprocated.
With around 25 minutes to spare, I settled into a convenience store and had a protein drink. The afternoon was starting to warm up, so I felt confident shedding one or two layers—finally, a small victory over the cold.
The bus arrived around 3:10 PM, and before boarding, I made sure to take another photo of the cherry blossoms I had captured the day before—because my iphone... The bus departed right on schedule at 3:20 PM.
My reserved ticket from Jinju to Seoul was at 4:30 PM. With the trip from Junsang-ri taking about 65 minutes, that left me roughly five minutes to make the transfer—just enough time to either succeed gracefully… or sprint like my life depended on it.
I had booked a Premium Bus for the return trip—a little reward to myself for completing my trekking debut. And honestly, after everything, I knew I’d need the comfort. The bus was fully booked, but it didn’t matter. Premium buses in South Korea are on another level—wide reclining “La-Z-Boy” seats, personal screens, curtains for privacy, charging ports… basically, a moving relaxation lounge.
We made a quick stop along the way, and the driver gave us 15 minutes to grab snacks. I, however, spent most of that time trying to decide what to eat… and somehow ended up in a gadget shop checking for a tripod similar to mine. Priorities.
We arrived safely back in Seoul—this time at Nambu Bus Terminal—shortly after 8:00 PM.
I rewarded myself with a bowl of my favorite: kimchi jjigae.
One thing I learned while eating in South Korea—eat where the locals eat. That’s usually where you’ll find the most authentic flavors.
I headed back to my Airbnb, finally took a hot shower, and checked on my locked iPhone… and for reasons I still can’t explain, it somehow unlocked itself through facial recognition.
I went to bed—not to sleep, but to quietly thank God for keeping me safe throughout the journey and for helping me accomplish my goals at Mt. Jirisan.
And as I looked back on my debut—especially Day 1—it all led me to these...
2. Just because something is doable doesn’t mean it should be done without preparation. I was fortunate to have trained at our local peak, Linabo, which helped condition my legs to adjust to the many stairways of different types scattered throughout Mt. Jirisan’s trails. That preparation made a significant difference in handling the physical demands of the trek.
3. Always factor in real-world delays when building your itinerary. Waiting times, unexpected stops, documentation, and even small decisions can significantly affect your overall schedule.
4. Know the purpose behind rules and limitations. Restrictions like no sunset viewing or limited shelter amenities are not meant to limit enjoyment, but to ensure safety and accountability. Had I known this earlier, I would have opted for a day hike instead—taking the out-and-back trail via Rotary Shelter, even with an 8 AM start.
Still, the entire experience was truly memorable. Despite the flawed parts of my itinerary—which I sincerely apologize for if they caused any confusion or concern among the staff at Mt. Jirisan—I am deeply grateful for their patience and understanding.
5. Preparation goes beyond the physical. Mental readiness, adaptability, and sound decision-making are just as important as strength and endurance.
6. Expect the unexpected—and be flexible. Not everything will go according to plan, and sometimes the best moments and lessons come from unplanned situations.
7. Small human connections can leave the biggest impact. Acts of kindness, even from strangers, can turn simple moments into meaningful memories.
8. Be mindful of local trekking culture. When visiting national parks in South Korea, remember that many locals are highly experienced hikers. They may not say it, but it’s courteous to give way when they pass, as they are often moving with a specific pace and schedule in mind.
9. Train with your actual gear. Always practice carrying a trekking bag with the items you plan to bring. This allows your back, arms, and overall body to adjust to the added weight and effort required on the actual trek.
If I had to rate my trekking debut at Mt. Jirisan—1 being the lowest and 10 the highest—I would give it a solid 4.
I did enjoy the experience, especially since I discovered a new hobby I could actually see myself getting more into.
But I also realized I missed two important key points that should have been part of my DIY guide framework.
So yes, I probably need a repeat performance soon—this time with only one focus: setting my personal best on both routes. And of course, with a much lighter trekking bag. Pohon!
Thank you so much for spending time reading my first blog article.
Please bear with the editing, layout, and everything else—I’m not really a techy person.
Part 2 will be about another peak I almost conquered, still in South Korea. Why “almost conquered”? Well, you’ll have to check the page again to find out.
Have a great day, and take care always.
Borahae!
Next story... My Night Trek to Inwangsan Peak... Alone... Because the imaginary Jungkook was at Goyang Stadium for the 1st day of the concert. lol!
