Seoul, South Korea
Base: Hongdae / Seongsu / Itaewon
Oct 5: Arrival in Seoul (ICN)
Arrive via Korean Air, drop gear, grab a T-Money transit card.
Night: Head straight to Euljiro (the "Hipjiro" industrial alleyways) for outdoor pojangmacha (street pub) drinking, draft beer, and raw grilled meat.
Oct 6: Technical Hike #1 — Bukhansan Peak (Baegundae)
The Hike: Take the subway to Bukhansanseong Fortress entrance. Hike Baegundae Peak (836m). The summit features a steep, high-exposure granite slab scramble using steel cables.
Evening: Recover in Hongdae—craft beer, live music, and late-night street food.
Oct 7: Royal Palaces & Secret Gardens
Morning at Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Secret Garden (the autumn leaves here against the traditional architecture are world-class).
Dinner: Gwangjang Market for bindaetteok (mung bean pancakes), mayak gimbap, and cold makkoli (rice wine).
Oct 8: Urban Culture & Underground Vibes
Afternoon exploring Seongsu-dong (converted shoe factories turned microbreweries, espresso bars, and pop-ups).
Night: Underground electronic/techno scene in Itaewon / Hannam (spots like Faust or Modeci).
Oct 9: Inwangsan Ridge Walk & Night Cityscape
Hike along the Seoul City Wall Trail over Mt. Inwangsan. High-output ridge trail overlooking the entire city skyline.
Sunset drinks along the Han River at Yeouido Park under golden ginkgo trees.
Oct 10: Seoul Forest & Coffee Trail
Morning power-walk through Seoul Forest Park (peak yellow ginkgo canopy).
Evening transit prep for the mountains.