An 80-year-old Korean-American man climbed Mount Baldy, the tallest mountain in Los Angeles County, barefoot.
Mount Baldy, standing at 10,064 feet, is known for its steep inclines, rugged trails, and challenging conditions, often leading to accidents during the winter months.
On September 8, Jae-hong Tak, a seasoned mountaineer with over 30 years of experience, completed the climb just ahead of his 80th birthday on September 16.
Though the mountain is difficult for even experienced hikers, Tak took on the additional challenge of removing his shoes for the ascent—a personal commitment he made to himself.
A member of the Korean-American Mountaineering Association, Tak explained, “Ten years ago, I saw an 80-year-old member conquer Mount Baldy, and I vowed that when I turn 80, I would go a step further and climb it barefoot.”
Temperatures reached a scorching 105 degrees that day, and the path, littered with rocks and gravel, made each step difficult. However, Tak stated, “I didn’t want to lose the battle with myself.”
Hikers who encountered Tak on the trail were astonished, some stopping to touch his feet in disbelief, while others posed for photos with him. Despite the grueling climb, which typically takes two to three hours, Tak started at 5:30 a.m. and reached the summit in five hours.
His fellow climbers, who set off later, were surprised to find him there ahead of schedule, as they had expected him to either put his shoes back on or fall behind.
At the summit, Tak’s hiking group surprised him with a cake and balloons to celebrate his milestone birthday.
Reflecting on the accomplishment, Tak said, “I’m proud to have succeeded in this new challenge at an age when many might think it’s too late. It also feels rewarding to represent Korean pride to the other hikers.”
In preparation for this quest, Tak trained daily by walking barefoot on a nearby mountain for four miles. Initially, his family and fellow hikers opposed the idea.
“My wife didn’t even look at me when I left the house that morning,” he said, adding that her concerns stemmed from personal experience. In 2018, while hiking Mount Everest together, she suffered from altitude sickness, which led to a year-long recovery.
Tak explained that his mountaineering journey began because of his wife. In 2000, after she had to quit her job as a nurse due to a liver condition, Tak went to great lengths to find the herb Artemisia to aid her recovery.
During his search, he came across a Korean health book titled “Lie Down and Die, Walk and Live,” which inspired them to start hiking together. Remarkably, his wife recovered within three years and was able to return to work.
Having discovered the joy of hiking, Tak went on to conquer iconic peaks like Everest, Kilimanjaro, Denali, and Whitney. “Mountains are a part of my life,” he said. “Although my body gets tired during a climb, I also feel healed.”
Tak expressed concern that fewer young people are interested in hiking today.
“It’s a shame that many young people don’t know the joy of climbing,” he said. “Our association has many veteran hikers with decades of experience. I hope more people will join us and discover the beauty of the mountains.”
BY SUAH JANG, YOUNGNAM KIM [jang.suah@koreadaily.com]
