My Favorite Wind in the World
On a Friday evening, just before the weekend and before the full force of midsummer heat sets in, I suddenly longed for a cool breeze. There was no reason to hesitate. I impulsively drove to Daegwallyeong. My destination was Seonjaryeong, a place rising gently along the magnificent Baekdudaegan ridge, earning it the nickname 'gentle mountain.' Despite reaching an altitude of 1,157 meters, the trail is not rugged, allowing people of all ages to enjoy a comfortable trek.
In winter, it's a destination for snow-covered mountain hikes, and in summer, it greets hikers with exotic landscapes of vast grasslands and giant wind turbines. However, the reason I revisit Seonjaryeong time and again is different. It's the coolest wind in the world, found only there. The thought of facing that wind made even the late-night drive feel not tedious.
Small Resistance on the Uphill Climb
The next morning, while looking for a place to eat a hearty breakfast before my hike, I discovered an unexpected spot. A large, clean Starbucks in such a quiet countryside village. I couldn't just pass it by. I had a warm burrito for breakfast and didn't forget to pack a chicken breast sandwich for lunch to eat at the summit.
Finally, I set foot on the Seonjaryeong trail. Honestly, the word 'walking' fits better than 'hiking.' Still, there's a strange charm in the act of taking one step at a time against gravity. A humble resistance against the immense power of the Earth, perhaps. The sense of accomplishment gained as a reward for that resistance is always exhilarating.
The Seonjaryeong course begins at the old Daegwallyeong Rest Area, now more famously known as the sheep ranch. It's okay not to pay the entrance fee and enter the ranch. As you walk along the hiking trail, you can see the sheep grazing leisurely beyond the fence as much as you want. In fact, you get to see the free sheep, unbothered by crowds, for free.
As I walked through the forest path, I felt a small movement underfoot. It was a toad hiding in the soil. They say small snakes sometimes appear too, making me feel like a part of nature.
The Summit, and the Wind I Love
Before I knew it, I reached the summit. It's my fifth time climbing Seonjaryeong, but the feeling is always new. This time, I deliberately chose the opposite course from usual. I wanted to leisurely enjoy the magnificent scenery I normally see on the way up, during my descent. Now, all that's left is to face the scenery I love the most.
As soon as I passed the summit, the view miraculously opened up. Vast green grasslands, giant wind turbines slowly rotating above them, and the wind. This is the exact scenery that comes to mind when thinking of Seonjaryeong. I love the wind here more than anywhere else in the world. The wind brushing against my cheeks cools my sweat, and the sound of the wind whispering in my ears erases all the noise of the world. This place has never disappointed me.
Lost in the dreamlike scenery, I ended up passing the observation deck overlooking the East Sea. It was too far to go back now. But I wasn't disappointed. It gave me a clear reason to come back next time. I was too exhausted to take any photos on the way down. As soon as I got down, I devoured the sandwich I bought in the morning with some milk and headed back to Seoul. My body was tired, but my heart was filled with the cool wind of Seonjaryeong.