When we first arrived in Jeju Island, one of our main goals was to visit and ascend Mt. Hallasan in winter, multiple times if possible. We were excited to experience the mountain covered in snow and capture those breathtaking views. However, this year’s winter had other plans for us. The snowfall was so severe that reaching the summit of Mt. Hallasan was simply impossible. For the first time, the summit was closed to climbers for almost two months straight, leaving us disappointed and forced to adjust our plans.
Thankfully, there was an alternative. Witse Oreum, another beautiful hiking spot on the island, remained accessible on days when the weather was favourable. We are deeply grateful to the trail caretakers and mountain rangers for clearing the paths and making it possible for climbers to ascend safely and enjoy the trails. Earlier in the same winter, we had already completed both main trails in Witse Oreum during good weather. The scenery at the time was so striking that we made plans to return for sunrise photography and time lapse shots.
However, as winter progressed, the weather began to deteriorate and the snow gradually started to melt. With the season nearing its end, we decided to make one final winter climb on the Eorimok Trail. On the day of our return, the weather had shifted once again, this time into a whiteout, transforming the landscape into something entirely different and almost surreal.
As we continued the climb, the conditions began to change noticeably. The snowfall gave way to rising temperatures, marking the quiet transition towards spring within the same journey. The once pristine blanket of snow gradually softened into a slushy mix of ice and mud. At the entrance of the trail, there was no snow left at all, only decaying leaves and damp ground that clung to our shoes like sludge. The change felt immediate and unsettling. There was a quiet sense of disappointment as we continued upward, realising that winter, as we had known it, was slowly slipping away even in the course of that very day.
Disappointed, we kept going.
Recap Images
That day, the fog was so thick it felt as though we were walking into the unknown. As we climbed higher, everything turned completely white. The only thing we could see were the red flags marking the trail. What struck us most, however, was that despite the severe weather, a few other climbers were still pushing forward. We thought back to our BAC 100 challenges, where we had faced similar conditions. That memory helped us shift our mindset.
It was then that we realised that sometimes it is the misty, foggy scenery that holds its own kind of beauty. Of course, we all long for clear blue skies at sunrise or the vibrant orange hues of sunset, but there is something calm and peaceful about the fog. It is a reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.
Witse Oreum shelter serves as a major high altitude checkpoint and viewpoint along the Yeongsil and Eorimok trails, offering scenic views of the mountain’s southern wall without requiring a climb to the 1,947 metre summit. As we drew closer, everything fell into complete whiteout conditions. Other climbers appeared like ghosts, fading in and out of sight.
When we finally reached the shelter, Witse Oreum itself was nowhere to be seen. Surprisingly, there were quite a few climbers resting, eating snacks, and taking a break. We joined them, having some snacks ourselves to regain energy for the descent.
We stayed at the shelter for almost an hour, hoping the fog would clear, even briefly, so we could catch a glimpse of the landscape. But there was no such luck, the fog did not lift. By 1 PM, we decided to begin our descent.
Time has a curious way of reshaping everything. The breathtaking snowscapes we admired back in February had now given way to a misty, mud streaked trail, an almost unrecognisable transformation. It was a quiet reminder that nature is always changing, and with every step forward, the landscape shifts beneath our feet. Some changes make the climb more challenging, while others reveal new paths and perspectives, keeping the adventure alive.
Today’s hike was not about clear blue skies or perfect photographs. It was about learning to embrace the moment and finding beauty in what is, not only in what we had hoped for. The perfect shots did not happen, but that is perfectly fine. Now, we are ready to witness Witse Oreum’s next transformation as spring approaches. See you in pink, Witse Oreum.
