On a sunny day in April, more than 300 students, staff members and professors participated in one of the KDI School’s most cherished traditions, the spring hiking trip. Offering a respite from the hectic schedule of academics, it was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the end of midterms and the start of spring. Armed with the KDI School official sweatshirt and a backpack of snacks, seven buses full of excited hikers set off with high spirits.

The Gyeryongsan National Park spreads out over 64.71 km, with around 20 peaks and paths converging in the summit, Cheonhwangbong. Mount “Gyeryong”, which is Korean for “rooster dragon”, is named  due to its resemblance to that of a dragon with a rooster’s comb.

Led by Dean Chun Hong-Tack, the groups started out from Sangsin Park. Filled with interesting sights such as streams and rock formations, the trail was picturesque, inspiring a lot of the hikers to stay back and enjoy the view (and admittedly catch their breaths). At several points of the trail, students would stop rest and take photos.  Dean Chun, Associate Dean Jung, and many others from the faculty and staff mingled along with the students in their merriment.

The trail was full of laughter, chatters, and a few groans, particularly in the steep portions of the trail, but was great opportunity to get to know everyone. Some of the more experienced hikers stayed behind to help out other first time hikers, offering encouragement and support, even such as telling them the summit was just a little ahead.

At the designated resting place, everyone had a picnic, sitting down on the ground to rest their tired bodies and munch on the snacks that the school provided. The energy bars, fruits and Kimbap charged up everyone’s energy. It was an animated gathering, giving students the chance to bond, catch up, and take pictures with each other. Before long, it was time to start the descent. The trail back was just as captivating, ending at the Gapsa Temple, which is one of the oldest temples in Korea dating back to 420 A.D. Everyone had fun taking photos under the cherry blossom trees and other such flowering plants around the temple.

At the end of the 6.1 km trek, everyone converged at the Gapsa Park to enjoy a filling lunch of soup and Pajeon, washed down by Makgeolli. The atmosphere quickly became spirited especially once the raffle for gift certificates began.  This was the perfect way to cap off an exciting day , and everyone walked back to the buses with tired bodies, but full stomachs and invigorated spirits. Our sore bodies were the proof that with determination, hard work, and a helping hand from friends, we could climb over any obstacle.

As our alumni friends fondly look back on their own spring hiking experiences, we know that this too will become one of the unique experiences that will be cherish even after graduation.

By Marjorie  San Pedro (2014 MDP, Philippines)