Place: Mt. Halla, Jeju, South Korea. Height: 1950 meters
Length: Gwaneumsa Route: 6.8km
Time: 8-9 hours. I did it in exactly 8 hours
Condition: Trail - grueling Mine - exhausted.
Trail: Straight up, nonstop. Rugged and ever changing.
Purpose: To see the Heavenly Lake that awaits those willing to risk life and limb.
Mission: Complete.
Mt. Halla, the highest mountain of South Korea and the one that dominates the island of Jeju, is not a mountain to take lightly. Located in the center of Jeju island, Mt. Halla is a sight to be seen. But what is more than the mountain itself is what the summit holds. The carter lake. The soul purpose that many are drawn to attempt the climb.
While I was preparing my adventure to Jeju, I came across pictures of the famed Baengnok (뱅녹) Lake. From the moment I saw it, I knew that I wanted to see it with my own eyes. So after a few days of roaming around Jeju island and seeing waterfalls and temples. I took a day of rest on Sunday and then on Monday, I got up early for the adventure that still has my legs fretting any type of climbing.
The climb started out relatively easy, but about half way there, the trail started to incline, steadily. And a short km later, I was huffing and puffing trying to catch my breath. But I was determined to get to the top, so on I pushed. And as I passed Koreans on their way down, I was greeted with smiles and cheers. When I reached the first check station, I took a 10 minute break for a snack of snickers, an egg sandwich and some beef jerky and a ton of water.
Then, after talking to some Koreans about myself and why I was hiking, I pressed on. The trail really took a turn for the wicked. And the more you tried to go up, the more the mountain seemed to pull you back. Like gravity was trying to throw you down. And not to mention that the high you go, the thinner the air. But not long after the first rest station you clear the tree line and this is revealed. At this sight, you almost want to say that it is enough. It can't get prettier than this.
Let me tell you that it can. And it does.
This is not the summit. But we are on our way. Like something out of a fantasy movie or video game this stunning scenery hits you. And as you almost collapse from fatigue, exhaustion and overheating, the mountain throws you a favor and it starts to lightly rain. A welcomed sign from the Gods that they favor your endeavor. So I picked myself up and continued on, letting the rain cool my body and catching what I could for hydration. Then I found a second gift, pure, drinkable, mountain stream water. It was perfect timing too, because my camel pack was dry and my water bottle was on its last leg. The clear, clean, crisp mountain water truly was a gift from the Gods. Because as I drank it, I could feel my energy return. I also came to find out that drinking this water adds 100 years to your life. Just like a video game.
The final push. Now, you are over 1000 meters high, you are exhausted from the 6km you've just pushed yourself up. And now you have .8 more to go. Do you decide that this is it, you've seen enough? Do you give up so close to your goal? No! The mountain is testing you, don't let its ever increasing trails and thinning air detour you. Push! The reward is waiting! Steel your resolve and swallow your pride, Heaven is waiting! This is what I heard in my head as I took one last break and gulp of fresh mountain water. Cracking my neck and repeating Niche in my head "What doesn't destroy me only makes me stronger", I got my final wind. And to Heaven, I climbed, almost could call it crawled. 
There is it folks, the crater lake. The grand prize for killing yourself. I still feel like a part of me is still there, marveling.
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