My Mount Mai

This past weekend we decided that it would be our last opportunity to escape into the country for a little exposure to the grandeurs of a Korean Autumn. Spying a keenly placed advertisement in the subway a few weeks before, Trevor knew where we must go. One of the most unique yet widely kept secrets of the Korean peninsula, Mai-san.

Mai Mountain, became a registered national treasure on October 31st, 2003 as Korean national treasure number 12. Raising high above the surrounding range, the "female" Maibong (673m) and the "Male" Miabong (667m) are distinctly Asian and the only 'couple' mountains in the world.

Over the millennium the mountain has been called by many names: Seoda-san, Yongchul-bong and Sokgeum-san. However, more recently it has been called, Mai-san because its two peaks are said to resemble the ears of a horse.

It also has other names influenced by its distinct shape within each season: Dottae-bong (spring-sail of a boat), Yonggak-bong (summer-Dragon's horn), Mai-bong (autumn-peak of horse ear) and Munpil-bong (winter-writing brush).

As luck would have it we arrived the night before a hard frost and were able to capture the maples in their full array.

Nate and Jessica Crew were as eager to accompany us on our adventure as we were to have their company. While Jess and I frolicked in the leaves, Nate and Trevor discussed more masculine issues like Fall fashion, handbags and weekend spa trips.