The following is an extract written by the founder and first generation CEO of SeungWoo Travels, Lee Jong Seung.
"I recall it was September 2004 when Heullimgol and Jujeongol valleys were reintroduced to the world. I received a phone call from reporter Son Min-ho of the JoongAng Ilbo leisure team.
'Sir, by any chance, do you happen to know about Heullimgol Valley in Southern Seoraksan?'
I replied, 'That place is currently closed off, and because so many accidents happen there and it's dangerous, there probably isn't a proper trail right now.
Back in the 1970s and 80s, when newlyweds went to Seoraksan Mountain for their honeymoons, it was a place where they would stop by a strangely shaped waterfall to pray for a son.
But why are you suddenly asking about Heullimgol?'
Reporter Son was startled and admired in awe, saying, 'As expected of you, sir...'
He explained that he had learned Southern Seoraksan's Heullimgol Valley was reopening for the first time in 20 years. He had asked alpine clubs and veteran travelers, but no one could act as a guide.
Soon after, I headed straight to Heullimgol with him, and it was featured as an article in the newspaper.
After that, the place literally became a massive hit. It is no exaggeration to say that almost all alpine clubs and travelers across the nation poured into Heullimgol."
"Reminiscing about Heullimgol before 2004
Nowadays, the issue is that too many people crowd into the area, and the hiking trails are very well-maintained. However, before 2004, Heullimgol was a completely unknown place, and the path getting there was not easy either.
When I first climbed it, hiking boots were expensive, so I wore sneakers and struggled through on my own. I think I just went because I was young and didn't even realize how dangerous it was.
In the early 1970s, when only professional mountaineers climbed Seoraksan Mountain, you had to plan a 2-night, 3-day or 3-night, 4-day course just to hike it.
It was 1979 when I first sought out Heullimgol, relying solely on a map and a compass. Unlike today, you couldn't do it as a day trip without an overnight stay; you had to go on a 1-night, 2-day course.
If you left in the morning, you would reach Seorak-dong around 8:00 PM. We would sleep at Osaek Mineral Spring, wake up early at dawn to hike, and then return up to Seoul.
Because it was before the Yeongdong Expressway opened, the road getting there was the epitome of chaos.
In the early 70s, the route started from National Route 6 via Yangsuri and Yangpyeong, went through Yongduri and Sinnam, crossed the 38th Parallel Bridge (Samphal-gyo), and went up to Inje.
From there, we crossed a temporary iron bridge guarded by military MPs, passed through Inje, and headed to Wontong.
Even in the late 70s, traveling there took all day just the same. Starting from National Route 6 via Yangsuri and Yangpyeong, we went through Yongduri and Sinnam to Hongcheon, where we ate lunch.
Then from Hongcheon, we headed toward Gunchukryeong Pass, Inje, Wontong, and Hangangnyeong Pass."
"In 1979, when I first encountered Heullimgol, Southern Seoraksan was practically anonymous, overshadowed by Daecheongbong Peak.
Because transportation was poor, everyone was simply in a rush to reach Daecheongbong on a 1-night, 2-day itinerary.
In short, it was an era when people merely drank from the Osaek Mineral Spring and stopped by Seorguksa Temple on their way to Daecheongbong.
Wanting to share the charm of Southern Seoraksan—which I discovered under the banner of 'the beauty of Korea'—with many others, I began bringing groups of 30 to 40 guests along from that time onward."
The following is an extract written by the founder and first generation CEO of SeungWoo Travels, Lee Jong Seung.
"I recall it was September 2004 when Heullimgol and Jujeongol valleys were reintroduced to the world. I received a phone call from reporter Son Min-ho of the JoongAng Ilbo leisure team.
'Sir, by any chance, do you happen to know about Heullimgol Valley in Southern Seoraksan?'
I replied, 'That place is currently closed off, and because so many accidents happen there and it's dangerous, there probably isn't a proper trail right now.
Back in the 1970s and 80s, when newlyweds went to Seoraksan Mountain for their honeymoons, it was a place where they would stop by a strangely shaped waterfall to pray for a son.
But why are you suddenly asking about Heullimgol?'
Reporter Son was startled and admired in awe, saying, 'As expected of you, sir...'
He explained that he had learned Southern Seoraksan's Heullimgol Valley was reopening for the first time in 20 years. He had asked alpine clubs and veteran travelers, but no one could act as a guide.
Soon after, I headed straight to Heullimgol with him, and it was featured as an article in the newspaper.
After that, the place literally became a massive hit. It is no exaggeration to say that almost all alpine clubs and travelers across the nation poured into Heullimgol."
"Reminiscing about Heullimgol before 2004
Nowadays, the issue is that too many people crowd into the area, and the hiking trails are very well-maintained. However, before 2004, Heullimgol was a completely unknown place, and the path getting there was not easy either.
When I first climbed it, hiking boots were expensive, so I wore sneakers and struggled through on my own. I think I just went because I was young and didn't even realize how dangerous it was.
In the early 1970s, when only professional mountaineers climbed Seoraksan Mountain, you had to plan a 2-night, 3-day or 3-night, 4-day course just to hike it.
It was 1979 when I first sought out Heullimgol, relying solely on a map and a compass. Unlike today, you couldn't do it as a day trip without an overnight stay; you had to go on a 1-night, 2-day course.
If you left in the morning, you would reach Seorak-dong around 8:00 PM. We would sleep at Osaek Mineral Spring, wake up early at dawn to hike, and then return up to Seoul.
Because it was before the Yeongdong Expressway opened, the road getting there was the epitome of chaos.
In the early 70s, the route started from National Route 6 via Yangsuri and Yangpyeong, went through Yongduri and Sinnam, crossed the 38th Parallel Bridge (Samphal-gyo), and went up to Inje.
From there, we crossed a temporary iron bridge guarded by military MPs, passed through Inje, and headed to Wontong.
Even in the late 70s, traveling there took all day just the same. Starting from National Route 6 via Yangsuri and Yangpyeong, we went through Yongduri and Sinnam to Hongcheon, where we ate lunch.
Then from Hongcheon, we headed toward Gunchukryeong Pass, Inje, Wontong, and Hangangnyeong Pass."
"In 1979, when I first encountered Heullimgol, Southern Seoraksan was practically anonymous, overshadowed by Daecheongbong Peak.
Because transportation was poor, everyone was simply in a rush to reach Daecheongbong on a 1-night, 2-day itinerary.
In short, it was an era when people merely drank from the Osaek Mineral Spring and stopped by Seorguksa Temple on their way to Daecheongbong.
Wanting to share the charm of Southern Seoraksan—which I discovered under the banner of 'the beauty of Korea'—with many others, I began bringing groups of 30 to 40 guests along from that time onward."