On the Summit: Dobongsan

Dobongsan is one of the mountains I remember visiting as a child, back when hiking was simply a weekend outing rather than a sport. In the 1970s, people climbed mountains not for fitness or photos, but for fresh air, conversation, and the joy of being outdoors. There were no outdoor brands, no specialized gear, and certainly no hiking boots. People simply climbed in their everyday clothes.

I still remember that day vividly—wearing a dress and stockings, holding my mother’s hand as we joined her friends on what felt like a grand adventure. To me, it wasn’t about reaching the summit; it was about the laughter, the picnic lunches, and the simple excitement of spending the day together in nature.

Today, hiking looks very different. People arrive in full gear—technical jackets, trekking poles, GPS watches—and document every step on social media. Some even risk dangerous photo ops near the cliffs, chasing that perfect shot to prove they’ve “made it.” I can’t blame them; there’s something undeniably triumphant about standing on a mountaintop and wanting to capture that moment.

Dobongsan, though, is no easy climb. Its jagged granite peaks and steep trails demand both strength and patience. Not everyone who begins the journey reaches the summit. That’s why, when I finally reached the top, standing above the city with the wind in my face and the world stretched wide beneath me, I felt an indescribable mix of pride and awe.

From up there, the view was breathtaking—Seoul unfolding in the distance, the ridges fading into soft blues and greys, and a silence that felt almost sacred. In that moment, I wasn’t just revisiting a childhood memory. I was rediscovering what it means to climb, to persevere, and to truly see the world from a new perspective.