It was good to be back on familiar ground at yesterday’s Hash. The trail technically started at the VFW, but since we knew it was going through Alta Vista a group of us just met up at my house. It was actually a nice and pretty easy hike up and over Black Rock mountain, then on out to our On-Home at Hunter Jo’s Inn in Calapadayan.
There was a second hill we bypassed. The Hare’s had provided a rope to assist with the climb, but we said nope to that and took the long way around instead. Afterward, the Hare asked if we had done the rope climb and we admitted we hadn’t. He said he had considered marking the way went as an “easy” version of the trail, but realized anyone inclined to take the easy route would already know which way to go. He was right about that!
I don’t recall ever doing three Hashes in a row before, but I have now for sure. Today is my off day so I’m getting recharged for tomorrow’s hike with the Wednesday Walkers. Here are the photos from yesterday:
The path we walked.Gathering up and getting ready to head out from my house…This is only a three-foot drop, but that’s a bit more than I’m comfortable jumping. After contemplating my options and considering possible consequences, I sat on my ass and scooted down. All that I hurt was my pride.Across a mostly dry rice paddy…Ducks on a pond.A brief jaunt on the GOVIC highway.Beyond that gate lies the steep climb we bypassed.Courtesy of someone else’s Facebook page, here’s what that climb looked like.This is the way we chose to go. Can you see the difference?Almost to the top of Black Rock...Taking a rest and enjoying the best views in the Subic area.Selfie time. What do you mean I’m blocking the view?Fine. Happy now?Looking back from whence we came. That’s Alta Vista on the hill on the far side of the valley. And yes, I can see Black Rock from my upstairs bedroom window.Alright time to head to the bottom. Our way up was not nearly as steep as this way down.Steady as she goes. Actually, when it is dry out this rock face provides much better footing than a lot of surfaces. Not slippery at all.Still, unless you can defy gravity it’s a bit tricky in places.Cookies for the family living at the bottom of the hill.A hop, skip, and a jump over the creek.The narrow streets of Calapacuan.The neighbors shouted “one at a time!” at this crossing...But this bridge was sturdy enough for us all.A final push towards the highway…Then a leisurely stroll On-HomeHares on ice.Deflowering some virgins. The one in yellow was my favorite. Damn my imagination!And then the sun set on another day of Hashing.
I’ll be back tomorrow with some tales about the latest weirdness in my life. In the meantime, there is this:
I’m really not an anti-vaxxer and will be willing to get the shot(s) if it restores my freedom to travel. But still, I don’t get how the left says this isn’t okay…Please don’t trash this post.
4 thoughts on “Over the top”
I’m always interested in the types of terrain you encounter. I’d have to be more of a mountain hiker here in Korea in order to have a similar experience.
That is one thing nice about Seoul – you did not have to go very far at all to get some “mountain hiking”. Stayed a lot of nights at the JW Marriott in Seoul, and right across the street were paths that led into “relative” wilderness. After 10 minutes of walking, it was easy to forget that I was in the middle of a metropolis of 10+ million people.
Yes, indeed mountain trails abound in Seoul. And like you say, Brian, it’s weird to suddenly be transported by your legs to a wilderness within the urban sprawl. That’s honestly one of the reasons I loved Seoul so much. Kevin, I remember you were a regular on Namsan back in the day. I also recall that kickass hike we did there just before I moved away for good. Bukansan is another great hiking experience. Still miss those days!
I wish I lived closer to Namsan. I don’t, so I have to make do with the local creekside bike paths and the staircases that line the paths—a series of mini-Namsans instead of one big one.
I’m always interested in the types of terrain you encounter. I’d have to be more of a mountain hiker here in Korea in order to have a similar experience.
That is one thing nice about Seoul – you did not have to go very far at all to get some “mountain hiking”. Stayed a lot of nights at the JW Marriott in Seoul, and right across the street were paths that led into “relative” wilderness. After 10 minutes of walking, it was easy to forget that I was in the middle of a metropolis of 10+ million people.
Yes, indeed mountain trails abound in Seoul. And like you say, Brian, it’s weird to suddenly be transported by your legs to a wilderness within the urban sprawl. That’s honestly one of the reasons I loved Seoul so much. Kevin, I remember you were a regular on Namsan back in the day. I also recall that kickass hike we did there just before I moved away for good. Bukansan is another great hiking experience. Still miss those days!
I wish I lived closer to Namsan. I don’t, so I have to make do with the local creekside bike paths and the staircases that line the paths—a series of mini-Namsans instead of one big one.