climbers in south korea?

[matt d]

Hello everyone!
I'm a British climber coming to South Korea on about the 17th of April, and staying for 3 weeks. I'll be arriving in the South of the country from Japan, and traveling up to Seoul to see a friend who lives there.
I would love to check out the Korean rock climbing! Is there anyone out there who'd be interested in meeting up to do some climbing, as I'm traveling with my girlfriend who doesn't climb! I don't mind what style or grade (will have a go at anything up to about 5.12/13 on bolts, or 5.11 on gear).I probably won't be able to bring much more than my shoes/chalk/harness - is this a problem? Also,Is there much of a bouldering scene in Korea, as I like this too. I'm not aiming to have a purely 'climbing' trip, but don't want to miss out on meeting new people and seeing new places!
Any help anyone can give would be greatly appreciated,
cheers,
Matt :)

[jamiermt]

I'll be around seoul that time and wouldnt mind showing you around.
Im heading to fukouka late this month. are you in the area?

[supertopoz]

This is Jason

I am from England too.
I have lived in South Korean now for 5 years.
I have been climbing for 15 years, and love bouldering.
we have many good places to climb here in korea.
If you are coming up from Japan, say through Busan. Then I live about 1 hour and a half from where you arrive.

I can show you a few places to climb, it would be great if you have a car, but the public transport here is wickedly efficinet and very cheap. we even have our very own TGV Brand new last year. On top of all that Korea is about a million times cheaper than Japan.

The bouldering scene is a bit lame here. So it would be me and some remote boulders.

As for routes, take your pick if, you spend a few weeks here I could show you a little of Sorak San the Alps of korea. There are even some big walls in down town seoul.

I live in a place called Kyoung Ju. Which is a UNESCO city, that means there is a shed load of historical relics around here.

Welcome to Korea.

Get to Kyoung Ju in early april and you will see some of the most beautiful cheery blosom on the planet. Along with a million other people on any given Sunday, but Monday is cool.

Where are you from in England, I was on the scene back between 1989 and 200.

[matt d]

hello 'jaimiermt'!
Thanks for replying! I'm not going to be in Japan until the start of April, but will give you a shout when we're in S.Korea to maybe meet up and do some climbing!
Cheers, Matt ;)

[matt d]

Hi!
I'm from Liverpool, not Sheffield where many of the UK climbers seem to come from! Although I did live in Sheffield between '99 and '02 when at university. I did a lot of my climbing between '95 and '98 (mostly sport stuff and some competitions) before the pressures of exams/parties etc. took hold and I became somewhat distracted, so it is possible we have encountered the same people... you never know...
It would definately be cool to meet up in Korea, we planned to stop in your area anyway on the way to Seoul! Sounds like a nice place to be. Will send you an e-mail when we're in Japan detailing exactly when we're going to arrive, and will be in touch before then anyway.... Will have up to maybe a week to spend there.
Cheers mate,
Matt.
P.S: do you know of a place where we can get a pint of Guinness? This is essential (well, hopeful anyway!)

[supertopoz]

There are many pubs clubs and bars which serve the dark stuff in Liverpool. Have a few pints there before you come.

Please understand it is difficult enough to ship guiness with in the UK I am not sure that I have ever seen it here any where. Except maybe in small cans.

You can drink the piss that they serve here, it is really cheap and will only hurt your guts for a short time.
Or Soju and Mac a ly
Soju is rice vodka, which is not too strong.
And Mac a ly is the milk of korean kindness.

April is a wicked time to come you will have blue skies for your whole trip. It is a top secret, it does not rain here except in July and August. Don't tell too many people.

Kyoung Ju is a peaceful and friendly place. You can discover it by your self, and I could show you a few gems along the way. Public transport is great here, and hiring a bike cost about five pounds for a day.

Peace to you and your girlfriend.

Oh and Happy new year!