From Everest to Kilimanjaro
Recorded while climbing 9 world's highest mountains

Mountaineer Hwang Dae-yeon's story of mountaineering and life

The author of this book became unemployed after one day closing down his business and retiring.
Overnight, my title and presence disappeared, and I had nothing to do.
I felt like I had been reduced to a useless, useless human being.
Just when his life seemed to have come to a standstill, he met Gosan.

Gosan had its own unique atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
Each mountain had its own charm and attracted him like a magnet.
But the price was harsh.
Unlike mountains in Korea, when climbing high mountains, you have to suffer from altitude sickness.
I had to suffer from headaches, indigestion, and shortness of breath.
However, not everyone who climbs high gets altitude sickness.
You can't know what your limits are unless you try.
As he climbed the mountain, he came to know his limitations.
I also realized that knowing when to stop at the right place is the wisdom of mountaineering.

In this way, Gosan presented endless challenges to his life, while also giving him a sense of accomplishment and helping him realize his true self.
Mountain climbing is not a process that only brings hardship and suffering.
It is a process of self-reflection and a journey of enlightenment that reveals that the happiness we have been missing out on was actually right next to us.
The afterglow of the high mountains still lingers in his life.
Through the author's mountaineering story, readers will also think again about the meaning of mountains and life.

A lot of people ask me:
Why do you take risks and go to the mountains?
Why do I go to the mountains? Because the mountains are there? Or because there's nothing else to do?
One day, I closed down my business and retired, becoming unemployed.
Overnight, my title, my presence, and my work were all gone.
I felt like I had been reduced to a useless, worthless person, like a swindler at a gambling table.
My heart became lonely and impatient.
Before I knew it, I was in my mid-sixties.
I wanted to go to the mountains before it was too late, before my stamina declined further.
The first place I went to make that dream come true was Everest.
Of course, I didn't reach the top.
But I was already completely captivated by its charm.
Gosan had its own unique atmosphere and beautiful scenery.
Each mountain had its own charm and attracted me like a magnet.
But the price was harsh.
Unlike mountains in Korea, when climbing high mountains, you have to suffer from altitude sickness.
I had to suffer from a headache, indigestion, and shortness of breath.
In fact, low mountains in Korea and high mountains abroad are equally dangerous.
A low mountain does not mean it is less dangerous, nor does a high mountain mean it is more dangerous.
Another difference is altitude sickness.
However, not everyone who climbs high gets altitude sickness.
You can't know your limits unless you challenge yourself.
Perhaps knowing your limits is the true meaning of mountaineering.
Also, knowing when to stop at the right place is the wisdom of mountaineering.
Even I, a nobody with nothing to boast about, have been to Gosan, so who wouldn't be able to go?
If you still have strength in your legs, don't hesitate.
One day you might find yourself standing on top of a mountain and feel proud of yourself.
However, it should not be forgotten that the completion of the climb means returning home safely.

Even at this very moment, countless scenes flash through my mind like a revolving lantern.
The afterglow of the high mountains still lingers in my life.
My body is back, but my mind is still there.
I wrote down in this book what I saw, heard, felt, and experienced there, and the process of doing so, without any additions or subtractions.

--- pp.5-7