Summer ‘10 is a bit more exciting than previous year.  This year I got to climb two mountains.  One was in South Kore (SK) a and the other was here in the heart of California – the Sierra.

The mountain in South Korea is Dobong.  If you wondered what am I doing SK, well, it’s work travel.   Dobong  is still in Seoul and very easy to get to.  Simply take subway line 1 or 7 and get off at Dobongsan.  Follow the exit to Dobongsan and hang left at the exit.  If you are really really lost, then I suggest to follow the hiking crowd.  There’s 99.9% chance they are heading to Dobongsan.  The Koreans take hiking very seriously, they really geared up for it.  My last trip to SK was in August, which is typhoon season.  No rain is hard and no mountain is too high for the people here.  They covered themselves with rain gears and climbed their way up.  It’s the Korean’s tradition to eat pig feet before the hike and once you reached the top, they drink makgeolli (Korean’s rice wine, Vietnamese we have rieu nep).  There are so many different summits to choose from and each one of them is very unique and challenging in its own way.  We decided on Jaunbong peak which has an elevation of 2,400ft.  Some part of this hike requires climbing  with rope (which is already there) therefore,  it’s a good idea to get a pair of full fingers gloves.

It was raining so hard on the way up so once we reached the top it was foggy to see anything.  On the other hand, the rain actually helped a lot to keep things cooler since it was 85F with 85-90% humidity in the summer.  The forest here is pretty dense so if you happen to forget your sunblock, it should be ok but gotta watch out for mosquitoes.   Along most hikes you’ll see a handful of temples (active ones).   A complete set of photos for Jaunbong peak can be found here >>>click<<<.  These were taken with my iPhone therefore the quality isn’t really there.  They are more for souvenir and documenting than making arts.  That’s another thing I’ve been falling behind as well.  For both of these trips, I didn’t feel like lugging my camera gears with me.  The packing and have to remember to repack parts are tiring sometimes.  Not to mention going through airport security and have to pay check-in fee with some airlines.

On contrary, the Sierra was dry and sunny.  This time was actually our second attempt to reach Shuteye ridge for camping and mountain biking.   Shuteye entrance is about 10 miles from North Fork town center.  The off-road part is about 20 miles from 2k feet to 10k feet elevation.  First time we went was too early in the season (March/April), therefore most of the mountain roads were still covered with snow.  We got up to 1/3 of the way and camped.  At night time the temperature was at freezing point and none of us anticipated in such condition to bring enough warm clothes.  Second time around we got a bit smarter and plus the weather was also on our side – 80F clear and sunny.  Even that we didn’t make it to the summit/lookout point.  We were about 1.5 miles away since our truck was not built to climb rock.  The next morning we talked to some locals and they suggested we hike to the summit to check out the view but by then we were too lazy to pack another set of water for the trip.  For that we’ll have a third attempt sometimes next summer.  Complete photos set >>>click<<<.

The biking down part was awesome.  Imaging going down hill for 18 miles, jumping over pot holes and logs.  Can’t beat that!

-D-

1. Diving:

1.1 Red sea

1.2 Great barrier reefs

1.3 Philippines

1.4 Mediterraneans

1.5 South Africa

2. Cycling:

2.1 Start on century ride

2.2 Triathlon

3. Climbing:

3.1 Mt. Fuji

3.2 Kilimanjaro

4. Quit corporate job

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Sawpit loop would be the longest ride in this area.  Total riding mileage is about ~15 miles with about 2k ft elevation gain.  Someone did it in 2h11m.  I think I finished in 2.5h.

This is not my riding profile.

-D-

The rule is – there’s no rules

No age limit

No cat

No time limit

Ride until you drop

This is my 2nd week riding with these men, located at rear Great America parking lot next to the soccer field.  The festivity starts at noon high.

-D-

Here’s the joy of being home owner.  I committed my entire Saturday – no biking, no goofing around to get some work done.  It was from 9am til the sun went down.  I picked up two guys from OSH to help me out.  The next morning my body was so sored.  I guess I am not as fit as I’ve used to.  And that I am no longer superman.  I need help.  I can’t no longer do everything by myself.

-D-

“We’re doing a lot of complicated things in the world these days and we’re doing them too fast. Something’s got to be done about the passage of time. It’s got to be slowed down. The days, the weeks, the months and the years go by too fast. Our lives go by too fast.

We’re always hurrying time along by looking forward to things tomorrow instead of enjoying today.

Last weekend I heard a television weatherman say that summer was right around the corner. Well, summer is not around the corner. Summer starts on June 21. The corner is still 71 days away. I mean what’s the rush?

Planning is bad for the passage of time. Planning anything a month in advance makes that month pass quicker.

In March I was looking forward to the beginning of April because I like April but I was so busy looking forward to April that I forgot to enjoy March which isn’t bad, but first thing I knew, March had passed and I’d hardly noticed it.

The days that drag are the days when we have nothing coming up in the future. We could use some of those days because they’re what we need more of to make time last longer – days that drag.

So, slow down, don’t plan, savor every minute. ”

-D-

This is an ‘08 model but who cares.  I don’t have any review for this yet but will post as the season progressing.  It has a F-series Fox shock with 4.7″ travel, XO SDRAM rear derailleur, Brain rear shock.  Hitting the mountain next week…..yum.

-D-

Scream out your anger,

If that makes you feel better

Let it all out, lay it all down

Alone, I let you be

I patch the holes you left behind

I paint over black marks on the wall

I wasn’t perfect

And neither were you

Alone, please let me be

Sometimes moving on is the right answer

It will bring out the best of us

When Spring comes

And the flowers bloom

I wish you the best in life

-D-