Mountains of my Mind: oh how i love thee!

After the the eleventh straight hour of moderate to strenuous hiking, with a quick pace at that, aimed towards the highest peak in Korea, my jello legs were looking forward to refuge in the Sesok mountain shelter. With only half an hour left to reach our sanctuary, the rain came in a pitter patter as the dense rolling white engulfed us whole.



Along the trek, small crags of rock tempted our calloused hands to fondle.
While reading "Mountains of the Mind" by Robert Macfarlane, I am overwhelmed by the intense reminder of my human relationship with the landscape I am walking within and upon. The geology I feast my eyes upon when lusting over rock I wish to climb, allows me to ponder a time when "rocks liquified and seas petrified, where granite slopped about like porriage, basalt bubbled like stew, and layers of limestone folded as easily as blankets". In the ineffable age of earth's history, I ponder my own mortality.

Sunny and I took on a 32 kilometre stretch of hiking trails in Jirisan National Park in only a day and a half. Adventurous, outrageous and down right fun, our bodies will be feeling the lingering effects for at least a few days I am sure. A few hours into such an undertaking, our bodies became used to the toil and pure elation took over. Despite the packed rest stops and crowded shelters, we were so lucky to hike the whole trail almost entirely alone.



What a unique experience for Korea. If any of you have ever ventured to Bukhansan National Park on a Saturday, you surely will have experienced the line-up of avid weekend hikers decked out in their name-brand gear glory snaking towards the summit like ants on a picnic. No line-ups here. It feels so great to work so hard to have the opportunity to roll our chilled fingertips over moss covered rocks and decaying tree stumps, to breathe in scents of rotting leaves and dirt and to open our eyes wide in search for indescribable breathtaking views. The rain intensified our appreciation to nature in its raw glory! Kuo Hsi, the eleventh century Chinese painter and essayist once wrote that the "haze and mist and the haunting spirits of the mountains are what human nature seeks".
  
  

Not looking at my face for almost 3 days, I was shocked at first glance. Two deep set wrinkles between my eyebrows had carved themselves a new home. My unconscious concentration with each mighty mile had indeed taken its toll on my face.  This allowed me to reflect upon age. As my birthday has once past again and I near the 30 years, I realize that the expressions we wear for long periods of time become permanently fixed. The wrinkles on our faces tell the stories of our lives. I hope when I grow really old my smile wrinkles will be the ones most visable!

The day to contemplate everything

So, once again, this special day arises. The one day out of the 365 cyclical pattern that allows one to contemplate life and their role in it. This particular day is my "golden birthday" - so they say (even though I was once told that you cannot quote "they"). I am 29 on the 29th of the 9th month. I woke up this morning with grey nail polish and my kitten, Soo Bak, cuddling my neck all to hear the testosterone filled grunts of the American Military who so happen to be my neighbours here in Korea. No worries. I have become accustomed to their energy charged relay races at 6:30AM as they are a sure signal that it is indeed morning and time to arise from slumber.
I am quite happy today. Out of the last 13 days, I have climbed 7 days - hard.
After a wonderful mid-semester thanksgiving break, I don't feel so bad eating vegan chocolate zucchini cake for breakfast. Although cooked in the toaster oven, dirt bag style, it is satisfying. (Hey sister Lauren, I think you need to teach me a thing or too about baking!).


We ended the Chu Seok holiday – Korea’s biggest, with a stout bouldering session in Bukhansan National Park. Notice the smallest crimpers in the world! Just like Thanksgiving in America, this holiday deserved thanks - especially for the 9 day reprieve from work. Myself, my kitty cat Soo-Bak and my friend Kris aimed high and climbed hard! While climbing in both Seonunsan and Yongseo Pokpo, I was amazed at the abundance of animalitos running, hoping and flying to and fro. From fireflies to fat assed toads to pin eyed bats and squalls of mosquitoes, we were inundated with nature in its finest. Complete with my humble tent and gourmet pocket stove, we dined in grand style. Each night I had a special set menu wherein the ingredients of veggies and lentils and fruits and nuts weighted down our packs not unlike other camping trips. Never did we go hungry.The rock in Seonunsan, with its overhanging jug festival teased and satisfied me. The abundance of limestone pockets plastered in white chalk confused the onsighter with tricky technical sequences. Pump-a-licious! After 3 days of the 40 minute approach back and forth, we took a day to travel and rest and stalk up on more edible treats (not to mention a few bottles of cheap red wine to rinse our pallets). When we arrived at Yongseo Pokpo – The Dragon Tail’s waterfall – we were greeted only by the distant hum of the intermittent train and a few droplets from the sky. All alone, we set up camp and blazed a fire that roared into the wee hours. Although it rained almost the entire next day, our near alpine start and slightly overhanging wall choice allowed us to climb five routes by one o’clock. Afterwards, the three of us sought refuge in a near abandoned min-bak. Not quite abandoned so much as that the owner wasn’t around. With the doors left unlocked, we took advantage of the opportunity to stay dry and warm. When a group of other friends arrived, we indulged in the sauce and each other’s sparkling company. The only near-death mishap that occurred the whole week was when I predicted the rock fall that scared the shit out of me in its forecasted omen. What I am about to describe, I am sure has happened to you. You know when your thought process happens so fast and links one thought to the next that what you began to think about and what you ended thinking about have little in common, so little that you would have to explain the entire thought process to someone in order for them to understand where the end idea came from in the first place. Well, it goes something like this…

I was just causally admiring the waterfall as we prepared for the day of climbing and wondered what it would take to make the water pour down full force. I realized that if there were fewer obstacles at the mouth of the fall, more water would be able to flow. Then I imagined a rock fall, then I imagined a rock fall on my tent that would squish my cat – I know – morbid, but I am sure that these kinds of thoughts have graced your consciousness too at some point in your life. Anyways, a hour later I heard a distant thud and down plummeted a softball sized rock, headed in a beeline for my tent! Busy belaying, I had to wait and see the damage done. Sure enough, this sinister rock sliced open my tent vestibule, mangled the tent zipper, destroyed Kris’s headlamp and even flattened its batteries! Thank the stars that Soo Bak, the kitty, was nowhere in the vicinity. She is still purring at my feet right now.



























And so the reflection goes. My students graciously presented me with a chalk board full of “congratulations” and a dozen yellow roses engulfed in baby’s breath. Congratulations? I guess I have survived yet another year in this hostile world. Although the clouds slowly roll in the sky this chill, crisp day, I couldn’t be happier. I think I am going to stop writing now and go and get myself a corner chug! (how I describe chugging a beer on the street corner!)







The contemplation begins with remembering that I am living in the present and as much as I want this day to last, it too will pass. Finite time. The ever present, ever changing river if you will.

The summer heat draws on.

Summer in Korea wouldn't be complete without an inundation of torrential rain typical of global climate trends. Our planet is surely at odds with our abuse and is fighting back. The power it has will always supersede our own human capacities no matter how powerful we THINK we are. Nature always wins and leaves in its wake, us dumbfounded.
So, the typical "on we go rain or shine" shall be heeded here. A few weeks ago in Chuncheon, South Korea, a smattering of international climbers amassed for the International Federation of Sports Climbing World Cup. With the likes of those currently headlining rock climbing flicks all over the planet, we endured the downpours together. A tense feeling of competition air was abated after the storms and the party ensued. What a great opportunity to speak Spanish and chat with some of the strongest climbers in the world! An event to be remembered. With the power of a felt pen, I gathered signatures from the usual suspects and will auction off a priceless cloth napkin to give proceeds to www.climbupsokidscangrowup.com. On the day of my mother's birth, September 18th, anywhere you are, climb and dedicate your passion to those who are at times forgotten.

I have branched out into the world of sound and song

Have you ever wondered when the Mile High Club was started?
or Why astronauts can't cry in space?

For all of those who like a little education with your entertainment…The Seoul Encyclopedia Show is here! * Inspired by the Chicago based Encyclopedia Show, the purpose of this show is to bring artists of all different backgrounds to create a verbal/visual Encyclopedia installment on a given topic.

Our first installment for this series is Gravity. We have an amazing line up of poets, songwriters, painters and performance artists to create an inspired description of the force that keeps our feet married to the Earth and the planets in orbit.

Indeed I have once again hit the big stage. By exploring other avenues besides rock climbing and working too much, I keep sane. A variety of hobbies and continuous projects on the go is one thing that drives me towards passion. To be able to share the final product of my creative process gives me the opportunity to find others who who have similar inspired imaginations. Thank you to all who take the time to hear me.

Hong Kong's humidity sticks to my thighs

All sweaty in our glory, we dodged to and from the slight shade provided by city trees while Hong Kong in its humid stealth threatened to suck the energy out of our drenched bodies. After 2 days flirting with the outskirts of a massive concrete jungle, I braved its innards. Luckily a Monday trip to the boulders beyond the high rise structures offered a break from the cancerous carbon monoxide thickness. The intervening monsoons hovered in the distant sky, but our gung-ho passion led us to explore regardless. A short walk from the Tai Koo MTR station, we were transported into the adjoining jungle; a mossy river way, our path. Thanks to June, we were able to have two crash pads, thus saving our delicate bottoms from haphazard landings to follow. The river was a welcome refreshment as the blazing afternoon sun scorched our shoulders pink. (I do however, use sunscreen – thus was saved from pinkdom). The rippling river also served as a free shower and with a scant line-up, locals indulged, fully clothed under the waterfall just beyond our first boulder of choice. Scents of shampoo drifted by as we attempted to man/woman-up with the rock problems in front of our faces. After some successes and near misses, heel hooks and crimps, pockets and lock-offs, V3’s and happy knees, we descended back into the thick sweltering city.

Along the side streets, a ripe, succulent fruit caught my eye, the biggest I have ever seen. This mango was the size of a football – the American style football or perhaps my calf muscle. Its mere scent coerced my mouth to water like a broken sprinkler. Not to mention its slippery syrup consumed in an inhale. (It actually took two days to eat due to its sheer size). Mmm. On to the food. In a smorgasbord of western and other worldly influence, I was bombarded with a plethora of choice. International supermarkets around each corner tickled my nostalgia as I piled the basket high.
<< Side note. If you haven’t noticed already, I tend to exaggerate. This gets me into trouble with my critical wordsmith friends. Justification: It is more fun to exaggerate and keeps my childlike imagination alive. >>

So, to clarify, I casually gathered just a few things for the airplane carry on; Red Thai Curry and Marmite to name a few. Through my many other efforts to save the world, the slight guilty conscience of the import-export game is defended in this example. Considering this multicultural hotpot, I was spoiled by Buddhist veggie stands and ethnic delights including this one particular Organic café with delectable quinoa salads and roasted eggplant tapenades. It inspired my cooking and sharing skills.

Tubing Madness Taking Chances and Drinking wine in the rain.

Oh how wonderful feelings bubble up from your insides when you and a crew of foreign troublemakers set forth to test the high seas with blackened tire tubes blown up so big, nearly bursting at the seams (good thing we noticed one seam splitter before we submerged it!)

A few weekends ago, my good buddy, Qasim had the grand idea to take advantage of the rainy season and float down the river near my old town, Jucheon. This South Korean nature haven has inspired many a bushwhack during my year and a half stint. Now living in the bustling city, the calm serenity of the country is a welcomed change of pace. Despite the downpour, we raged against the intermittent rapids and indulged in weir sliding – as in the weir totally sucked a few of us in and left us bleeding from several limbs. Hannah seeing me in near turmoil quickly came to my aide but got sucked in herself as I was left clinging to the threshold. My mighty forearms were my saving grace (umm, admittedly cheating as the fact was that I could reach Justin’s hand for help before I was swallowed).

Once a chill set into our bones, I thought of a quick warm-up activity; boulder some of the surrounding bridges. That is exactly what we did – repeatedly. As the night approached, we retreated into the spicy kitchen of my old apartment where Michelle now lives. She also has my old job. With a smorgasbord of ingredients, we took to the bar-be-que and I prepared veggie burgers that fell apart and Terra smoked up some roasted eggplant and zucchini while the others cooked their meat. Plenty bottles of red wine later we moved to Qasim’s old penthouse where the dance party ensued complete with break dancing and Michael Jackson Beat It choreography! We saved the fireworks for last. Sauntering slovenly back to the beach, I “fell asleep” and missed the explosions in the sky. Upon waking, I could barely get my head together and with a grunt, Justin had to carry me home. What are friends for? This was until a burst of energy seized me and I took off running down the road like a black cat in the night. Quite the paradoxical performance.

Rope Goblin Blues.

Have you ever got your rope so tangled that you just want to throw it off the side of a cliff and begin your soloing career early? This weekend I felt that way except the tangle happened in the comfort of my own rooftop late on a Sunday night after a torrential thunderstorm soaked me, my friends and my rope. Not to mention the dirt splatter from gigantic drops pelting the earth and coating my rope in its squalor. Now drenched, in the dim light of my rooftop atrium I battle the green 70 metre rope goblin until the weight of my eyelids defeat me. Could I perhaps hire a professional rope un-tangler? My poor Petzl nomad, now lies confused while drying slowly. Hour after hour, the water will evaporate as it lays helpless on the bamboo-matted concrete floor. When I wake tomorrow, it will be waiting once again.

How lucky am I to wallow in this trivial despair with sarcasm as my right hand lady?

Happy Teachers Day

This is not the only day I am reminded why I love my job so much. It is everyday. Two months into my new University job, the life of the professor is quite rewarding - not to mention the 4 day - 12 hour work week, but the renewed maturity from students in their freshman year. When I see the sparkle in my student’s eyes, I know that a small discovery is made. Be that a morsel of the English language or the crumb of a joke – I can tell when the light bulb goes on, even if it is low-watt. These people who listen to be jabber all day feed my passion by their attentiveness and challenge my patience with their squat enthusiasm. On Friday, I arrived to my Airline Services class minutes early to a locked classroom. After a succession of short knocks, one student decked out in her Flight Attendant uniform shyly exited and quickly closed the door behind her. “Teacher! You are so early!” I was in fact right on time. She dragged me down the hall with a mischievous smile that begged guilt. In a quick round about, we returned to the classroom and as we opened the door, the light from the candles on a big coconut cake shimmered as the girls began to sing a ditty in Hangul that was beyond me. Never mind the lack of language skills here – the cake was for me and so were the hundreds of scribbles on the white board – including “Will you marry me?” from this all-girls class. Wow! I was taken aback and had to choke down the tears of thankful joy and surprise. When I watched the video afterwards – I realized how goofy I looked – much like my mother at best! Teachers Day had come a week early because these lovely ladies were about to take a trip to Vietnam and would be absent during the real event to come. For a teacher to be recognized in such a non-obligatory ceremony was too much for words.

Back into Trad! Mureung Valley, Donghae, Korea

As the spring arrives in late bloom, summer tags along with it. The sweat from my underarms trickle down the side of my body catching on the harness that suspends my fear from taking over while stuck in a damp chimney 20 feet in the air. Back in to the bold trad leads. Bold for me anyway after a near 6 month vacation from granite. My limestone winter hasn’t prepared me quite sufficiently for this day, but my enthusiasm avoids this revelation. My dusted off cams doddle along the holes and fissures intermittently up this serrated bisection seen from the forest floor in Mureung Valley near Donghae, Gangwon-do.

The humidity in the air reminds me of the near approximation from the East Sea. Lucid waterfalls crescendo towards abating torrents in soft declines from where we began our day. The trouble-free approach in this picturesque vale summons our smiles to stretch wider. Fresh and crisp the air in its humble rouse from the frigid months before. My climbing friends and I have induced an agenda of anticipating the saving of lives, one climber at a time. By replacing a few old death triangles, we and all those that will benefit from the change hope to feel a little safer while repelling off our friendly nemeses. On Saturday, we had successfully installed one set of new shiny chains and quick links, Sunday was to be reserved for the second. Sunday came as it does and I decided to jump on this little 5.8 ditty first thing. Well, as trad climbing in Korea goes, it proved to be a little too scary and my Elvis leg got the best of me. After lowering off more than 3/4ths finished, Dusty had his go and persevered like a trooper on the front lines. Unfortunately the rope drag waged war and I volunteered to solo-ascend on a prusick and improvised aid ladder while the dangling weight of the polished chains clanged from my waist belt. For less than 20 bucks each, the trusty metal irons will bring us comfort. This is only one good deed in a list of many to give back to the climbing community in South Korea. While trying to muster a mission statement for some of the initiatives in which we have begun to dabble, this one sticks to me.


"To climb rocks is our simple, yet profound mutual passion inspired by the raw natural environment. As a community that extends beyond borders, our cross-cultural initiatives work to protect, reduce the impact on and live in harmony with nature in its purest form."

Now, as initiatives go, the lone wolf cannot succeed alone. It is indeed the support from the community that will make it happen, when it happens, whatever happens. Keep tabs on our projects on www.koreaontheorcks.com.

Before the CRACKED RIBS!

One week following a successful climbing trip at a southern South Korea climbing off the beaten track hub hole, I have somehow secured another spot as "bench-warmer-injured girl". A little bouldering gone wrong in my wake of lazy lounging, I have indeed sustained a few cracked a few ribs due to the 140 pound Pakistani man who fell on me from 6 metres above. As I said - my nonchalant lounge session on the soft comforting pads at K2 bouldering gym inebriated my depth perception as Qasim, my friend, launched for a dyno, stuck it, then swung towards me with the momentum of a monkey on the run from pompous poachers. oops. silly girl. I am about to now re-kindle my love for hiking, bicycling, ukulele playing, soft and gentle yoga stretching among other non-rib intensive sports. This is a reminder that I am so lucky to be able to climb the mountains I love and to never take for granted my health - when it is at its optimum level!