Gone, but soon to return

Seven weeks of walking along Korea's spiritual backbone has come to an end. We ended our journey on October 25 after climbing up and over Taebaeksan, a massive mountain with several ancient stone alters on its flanks and summit. The weather was beautifully crisp and cold; a wonderful contrast to the unbearable heat and humidity of the first several weeks. Having started walking exactly 49 days earlier at the base of the Cheonwangbong--the Baekdu Daegan's southern terminus--coming down to the road for the last time north of mystical Taebaeksan seemed a fitting end. We managed to cover about two thirds of the Baekdu Daegan in South Korea, and are already looking forward to returning to complete the section of trail from Taebaeksan to Seoraksan National Park in the future. Who knows, maybe North Korea will open its doors in our lifetimes as well...

We've spent the last week doing day trips in Seoraksan National Park, returning to favorite haunts in the likable megalopolis of Seoul, and visiting with Liz's family. Lots of eating, relaxing and driving around to visit various family members. Korea has treated us very well.

Pictures from the last two sections of the hike will be up soon.