The Walk

As more and more green space becomes scarce in Korea, there appears to be a greater increase in those who go into the mountains. People are becoming aware that the human animal needs to nurture its connection with nature - it's in our blood. However, compounded with pollution and development, the influx in the number of mountaineers who stomp over the trails is spelling doom for Korea's highlands.

The majority of new mountaineers are often uneducated novices. These mountaineers, garbed in all the latest mountain gear, crowd to the mountains in uncoordinated groups. Sprawling across rocks and scrambling along trails, they come to the mountains to satisfy a longing that is now being shown to plague many urbanites: a desire for natural tranquility. Ironically, as millions of hikers utilize the mountains as mediums for attaining self-harmony, the mountains themselves are becoming less harmonious.

The result of increased human traffic is immense erosion. Erosion of mountain soil and rock affects the delicate biodiversity of a mountain. As an ecosystem's biodiversity begins to fail, so too do the very elements of life.

There are many theories involving trial erosion. Some maintain the stance that some hiking boots cause more damage to trails than others and are a major cause of erosion. To combat erosion, some theories claim that hikers should walk parallel to an eroded trail, far off from its edges. Such theories are inconclusive at best. The only sure cause of trail erosion is human traffic. Therefore, the only sure way to combat erosion is to control traffic.

These stone steps service the trail to Wonhyo Hermitage in Bukhansan National Park. Excessive human traffic has caused severe soil erosion around the steps. The integrity of the soil has been so devastated that the underside of the stones is clearly visible.

The mountains are far too accessible. Fixed cables and ropes line many trails, very often in places where they need not be. Stairs cut out of the earth and stabilized by wooden poles wind their way up and down slopes. These commodities allow easier, safer access to otherwise difficult, hazardous routes. When passage is made easier, everyone becomes a mountaineer. The removal of a significant amount of these obtrusive conveniences will curb the number of those who go into the mountains. With the fixed cables gone many will be forced to truly evaluate their mountaineering skills. Those of the true mountaineer mold will continue to go, while those whose skills lie in a different field of expertise will stay away. The decrease in human traffic, and therefore impact, will be of great benefit to the biodiversity and the slow recovery of the mountain environment. For those who continue to go, it is imperative that they become well education in utilizing the Minimal Impact Code for environmentally-sustainable mountaineering.

Segregation often seems like a harsh, unfair method of dealing with a problem, but in this case, when the integrity of an entire life-system is concerned, it is a most necessary choice. If you cannot handle the trail, it is in the best interest of all to avoid the mountain.

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