Hi Everyone,
Because there was only 12 people who signed up we had to cancel and postpone this hike to a later date.

We will definitely do Jirisan again. Maybe we will stay overnight at the peak since weather will be warmer.

We will give refunds to those who made deposits below:
1. John S (BBQ)
2. Mark K (BBQ)
3. Amy R
4. Kyungah H
5. Julien P
6. Jinyoung L
7. Sandy B (BBQ)
8. Tyler Y (BBQ)
9. Hannah Y (BBQ)

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Hi Folks!

We have been waiting for spring to get here so we can do some hiking and it looks spring is knocking at our doorsteps.

Let's do Jirisan. Jirisan peak that is.

At 1915 meters (6,283ft) it is the second tallest in South Korea (Jeju Hallasan is tallest at 1950 meters).

We leave 11:45PM from Seoul National University of Education Station (Gyodae Station in Korean) where Line #2 and Line #3 meet.
This is NOT Seoul National University Station on Line #2.

Arrive Jirisan by 4:30AM or so.
It will be dark so bring a flash light. (Sunrise 5:30AM, Sunset 7:19PM)

We start from Baek Mu Dong valley. The water pools and waterfalls and boulders heading up is really breathtaking.

Because of the colder than usual temps you should see plenty of purple Azaleas all around even at this time of year.

You reach Cheon Wong Bong via Jang Teo Mok Shelter. They sell cup noodles and snacks at the shelter. You can refill your water bottles here also.

Then hike down to Joong San Ri.

Please bring a fully charged phone. As usual, the hiking members may get separated. Thankfully the phones work on the jirisan trails.^^

The entire hike is 9 hours if you hike Korean style. Haha. That was a joke.^^
Its more like 10 to 12 hours if you like to take photos and take breaks along the way.

You can leave everything you dont need on the bus which will be waiting for you on the other side.

This is not a hike for first time hikers. When discussing difficulty of a hike there are three things to think about.
1. Steepness
2. Length of Hike (Duration)
3. Sharp Rocks with Cliffs and Ledges and some rope climbing

This hike might be considered "difficult" because it is long and some portions where its a little steep.

The bus leaves at 5PM.

We will rent out the entire pension. It is a very nice pension situated right next to a creek and away from traffic and is at the base of Jirisan mountain.

There are 6 bedrooms divided among 3 full units with 3 full kitchen areas and 4 bathrooms with hot showers. Sleeping will be on the floor (Korean ondol style) except for the two beds. No one can call the beds in advance so please dont put your bags on it. Whoever sleeps first gets to sleep on the bed and its 2 per bed sharing.

The pension will prepare pork BBQ dinner with side dishes (10,000 won each) for you in the very nice front yard with picnic tables. It will be a relaxing way to spend the evening after a long hike.

If you do not eat meat or want to find something else there is a Korean restaurant about 200 meters from the pension. Bibimbob is 6000 to 7000 won. They have Baek Sook which is whole chicken white stew. Maybe 30,000 won shared by 2-4 people.

There is a convenience store about 300 meters from the pension. The pension owner is willing to take you for a beer run when needed in his car. He speaks some English.

The next day you have option to take short walk up (20min) to Nae Won Sa Temple (South Western Edge of Jirisan) or another short trail (<30min) that the pension owner strongly recommends.

Bring coffee or tea and some bread so you can have breakfast. Or the restaurant nearby offers Korean breakfast. Or you can buy eggs and stuff at convenience store and cook for yourself.

Depart pension at 11AM.

Go to Dae Won Sa Temple.

You can get lunch there.

Then take a short hike up to Dae Won Sa Valley. Owner of pension swears the views from there is as good as any in Korea and is highly recommended. Dae Won Sa Valley is the very end of the Eastern side of Jirisan ridge and is the way you would be going down if you were to do Jirisan (2night 3day course) the entire ridge way from the western end.

Depart for Seoul at 3PM.

Take a 20min break at a rest stop for dinner.

Arrive Seoul 8PM. Depending on when you depart and traffic it could be a bit earlier or later than that.

The schedule is like this:

5/7 (Fri)
11:45PM Depart Seoul
5/8 (Sat)
4:30AM Arrive Jirisan (Baek Mu Dong)
5:00PM Bus Depart Joong San Ri Parking Lot
5:25PM Bus arrives Pension
6:30PM BBQ Dinner
5/9 (Sun)
11:00AM Depart Pension
11:25AM Arrive Dae Won Sa
3:00PM Depart Dae Won Sa
8:00PM Arrive Seoul

There will be a charge of 1000 won per 1 minute per person you are late to the bus departure times above in order to get back on the bus. The money will be collected and used to buy snacks for everyone.

This trip I (William Cho) will not be able to attend. However two very capable co-organizers will be leading your way.

Please contact John Shermer or Mark Kim for any questions you may have.
John: 010-2326-3268
Mark: 010-3560-6704

Things to bring:
1. Towel
2. Sunscreen
3. Smiles^^
4. Breakfast You Want to Eat

The cost for the trip is 59,000 won which includes:
1. Chartered Bus
2. Pension
3. Travel Insurance

There will be discounts if you deposit early:

If you make the deposit on or before 4/16 then its 55,000 won.
If you make the deposit on or before 4/20 then its 56,000 won.
If you make the deposit on or before 4/23 then its 57,000 won.
If you make the deposit on or before 4/30 then its 58,000 won.
If you make the deposit on or before 5/7 then its 59,000 won.

Add 10,000 won to the above amount for BBQ Dinner at Pension.


This trip is limited to 45 people maximum.

Sign Up Process:
1. EVERYONE MUST be meetup member and must RSVP YES to be eligible to go. (CANNOT RSVP for someone else.) RSVP YES does not mean you have a spot on the bus. Please show your full name on display. You can change your display name by clicking on "account" on the upper right and then click on "personal info" on the left. Because many people have same first names it helps to avoid confusion if everyone displays their full name.

2. Check to see if there is space to join. If # of spots remaining is less than 5 send me an email ([masked]) to check.

3. Deposit the amount as shown above. Only a deposit guarantees space!
You can deposit for someone else. (to confirm your deposit, check for name on the deposit list on the main trip posting)
You can use ATM to make the deposit if you or your friend has an ATM card.
If you dont know how to make a deposit please ask a Korean friend to help you.
Your Korean friend can make the deposit for you using their ATM.

4. Send email ([masked]) saying you made how much deposit from which bank for which trip on which date. Please do not combine email with other trips. Separate email for each trip please. Also please include your cell phone #. In the subject line make sure it has trip info. You must send this detailed email in order to be counted as confirmed.

The deposit shows up in my account with sometimes just 4 letters in English or Korean. Sometimes it is the first 4 letters of your middle name. So please let me know exactly what it says on your account in full. When you send me your name please identify which is last name and which is middle name and also if you are male or female.
Also please do not write "trip" or something like that for the deposit. Then it comes in as "trip" and I do not know who made the deposit.

5. Please provide ARC # (Alien Registration Card) for insurance. If you do not have a ARC card then please provide passport# and birthdate (YYMMDD format i.e. 800429). However keep in mind travel insurance does not cover horse riding nor ATV riding nor bike riding nor any other "risky" activities.

6. Deposits to be made to:
Kookmin Bank
814302-04-052125
Cho, William

Refund Policy:
From date of deposit to 12hours before departure = 50% of Deposit Amount
12 hours to departure = 0%

Liability:
This meetup group is not liable in anyway during or after your trip.

Please be careful and be mindful of safety.

Please check back here often since new information can be updated anytime and as soon as I get them.