추운 겨울

The winter in Korea has apparently been colder than usual this year.

The first snow fell on the peninsula about a week earlier this year than the last.

In early December, a cold spell gripped the country.  Cold temperatures not seen since the 1950's were recorded in Seoul.  Ice formed early on the Han river, and frost covered trees could be seen in the northern region of the country.

As the cold spell began to ease, rain or snow was predicted, and an unusually heavy snowfall occurred throughout the country.  Even in Busan, which does not usually get any snow at all, a heavy snowfall occurred.

The trees outside my office window, during the December snowstorm in Busan.

The cold temperatures resumed after the snowfall, and there was snow on the ground for a few days in the city.

A few days after the storm, the snow was mostly gone in the urban parts of Busan.   I decided to take a hike on BaekYang mountain (백양산), and was surprised to find snow still lingering on the mountain.

Snow lingering in a shady part of 백양산.

More snow on the lower section of 백양산.

Snow on a small bridge, on 백양산.

Hikers on a path, partially covered with snow.

Another patch of snow, on 백양산.

When I reached the crest of the mountain, the air was crisp and clean, and the view of Busan below was very clear.

Busan, seen from the summit of 백양산.

Busan, seen from the summit of 백양산.

But most surprising of all was that there was A LOT of snow on the top of the mountain.

Busan, beyond the snowy crest of 백양산.

A snow-covered path and grass on the crest of 백양산.

Snowy rocks on the crest of 백양산.

Another snowy landscape, on 백양산.

A part of 백양산 completely covered in snow.

The rocks at the summit of 백양산, unusually snowy.

A hiker, walking on a completely snow-covered section of 백양산.

A LOT of snow on 백양산.

A LOT of snow on 백양산.

Snow under the trees, on the crest of 백양산.

A slightly snowy section of the crest of 백양산.

On the way back down the mountain, I took a short detour to SeonAm temple (선암사).  There was not as much snow there as there was on the crest of 백양산.  But there was some snow, and it transformed the ambiance of the temple.

Snow on the roof of one of the buildings at 선암사.

One of the smaller shrines at 선암사, partially covered in snow.

A view of snowy 선암사, with Busan in the background.

The only negative side, at least that I could see, of the unusually cold December weather is that it led to a very high demand for electricity throughout Korea.  It was often reported in the news that Korea's electricity reserves have been under pressure during the winters that I've been in Korea.