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Hiking & Trekking in Asia

Mountain Treks and Independent Hiking Across Asia

This page brings together my hiking and trekking experiences across Asia, including Sapa in Vietnam, Hallasan and mountain regions in South Korea, and a comparison of major treks in Nepal.

Most of these trips were done independently, without guides, and the posts focus on what it took to plan them, navigate them, and adjust along the way. If you’re looking for practical insight on where to hike and how to approach it, start here.

🇰🇷 Hiking in South Korea

These posts cover Hallasan on Jeju Island, summer hiking at Yongpyong and High 1, and trekking in the Daegwallyeong area. Each one reflects how I approached the hike, including access, timing, and what I ran into along the way.

Colorado Saram and dog (Winnie) at Conan Beach, Jeju Island - South Korea.

John Buckley

I grew up in Vail, Colorado. I’ve spent nearly 20 years living in South Korea.

I ski and travel across Asia, usually chasing places that are harder to get to and less written about.

This site is where I document the trips and how I plan them.

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🇻🇳 Trekking in Vietnam

These posts focus on trekking in Sapa, including self-guided routes, a three-day itinerary, and reaching viewpoints like Fansipan. They reflect how I planned and navigated the region without using a guide.

🇳🇵 Trekking in Nepal

These posts focus on trekking in Nepal, including a comparison of the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp. They reflect my experience on both routes and how I approached planning and preparation.