Gwangju International Center

May 23 GIC Trek Review by Solène Heurtaux

 Like every third Saturday of the month since February this year, the GIC organized a beautiful GIC Trek to Mudeung Mountain, on May 23.

 This special GIC Trek led us to the Second Basin and the Yongchu Falls. A part of the course has been closed for more than 30 years in order to protect the water, natural resources of the area, and has just reopened this year. This made me feel very glad and lucky to have taken Trek there.

 After meeting up at the GIC on Saturday morning, all participants and staff members took the bus together. Because of the particularity of the hiking site and the small number of people going there, the bus we needed to take only comes every hour and a half. Thankfully, Warren Parsons, our American guide, and Jeongmin Lee, the GIC Trek organizer, planned well, and we were ready to get on the bus on time, as well as come back without having to wait.

 As soon as we got off from the last bus stop on the line, the silence and peaceful environment surrounded me. After explaining briefly the schedule of our day, Warren started to lead the hike.

Thanks to the river flowing next to us, the air was cool and humid, despite the hot and sunny weather we had in Downtown Gwangju an hour earlier.

 I was glad to meet again one of the participants from the first GIC Trek I participated in. Originally from the Philippines, she has attended every GIC Trek since February. 

Having the opportunity to hike with people from all around the world and to learn about the area thanks to the GIC’s highly knowledgeable American guide are the reasons why she keeps signing up for GIC Treks. The Treks always lead the participants to new areas of Mudeung Mountain and it is more fun to hike with other people!

 The quiet beauty of the Second Basin of Gwangju that we discovered in the morning pleased everyone with its shimmering colors and cool atmosphere.

 The Yongchu Falls that we had the opportunity to see a few kilometers later, reminded me of the hikes I used to take when I was living and studying in North Carolina. This unique waterfall starts from a very thin stream and ends up being more impressive a few meters down, where we took a break. At this spot, we could all relax after the quite steep hike and ate a few snacks before hiking more before lunch.

 In order to reach the goat farm we were eating at, we needed to hike a few more kilometers. All hungry, we as participants were excited about eating the farm raised goat stew that was planned. For the ones bringing their own meal, a large garden could host them, with kittens playing around.

 The goat stew came with a variety of side dishes and sesame powder that everyone ate deliciously. We needed energy to recover from the morning hike and to be ready for the hardest part of the trail in the afternoon.

 We were all glad to have experienced this dish, as none of us would have thought about stopping at this restaurant if hiking in there. On the way back to the bus stop, we passed the goat farm, where we could pet the goats, walking freely around us. After this break, we were off again, but partly in the sun this time.

 The hike went to some steep places, quite tiring for some of the participants. Until we reached the bus stop, we were all hot and tired from the day.

 During our day spent in the mountain and close to the river, we all agreed about how good it felt to be there, being far away from the cars and the noises of the city. Exercising felt good and sweating made us realize the efforts that we made during the day.

 On the way back to Gwangju and to the GIC, most of us were tired but ready to sign up for the next Trek, which will be even more difficult and challenging.

 From foreigners newly arrived in Gwangju to Korean Gwangju citizens, none of us had ever been hiking to this part of the city. This GIC Trek was renovator, both for our bodies and our minds. I am so glad I attended this GIC Trek and I am looking forward to meeting the participants again! Because this program is organized by volunteers, we can all participate to support the GIC and lead a hike that we like for the next GIC Treks to come!