Rock Climbing for Beginners?

[eelasile]

Hi, I just arrived in Seoul as a student studying abroad. I've always wanted to rock climb but never had the opportunity, until now. Can someone please let me know how/where I can learn, what equipment I need, etc.? How does one start rock climbing??

Thanks!

[Eric]

First of all, welcome to the site and Korea.

It's really easy to start climbing in Korea. This is where I started and I know some other climbers who started here as well.

I would recommend finding a gym and learning the basics. It has been my experience that Koreans are very eager to help you out and get you started. They will probably even take you out to the rock when the weather warms.

Here's a link to a thread about gyms in seoul: http://www.koreaontherocks.com/showtopic.php?topic_id=56

Another thing you want to do is check out the things you learn from other sources. Koreans tend to think differently than westerners when it comes to safety. When you learn how to do things such as tie knots or belay or before you get belayed, read about the safety concerns and learn how to do them yourself. There will probably be foreigners at the gym you will go to and they might be able to help as well.

Roack climbing is a ton of fun and you'll have a blast.

Hope to climb with you sometime.

Eric

[Colin T]

hey eelasile,

Where abouts are you studying in Seoul ? (I am at Kyung Hee uni ... well will be in 5 days anyway :-).

if you're still keen to learn how to climb I'd be happy to show you what I know. If ya can find a good gym to be involved with it sounds like that is a really good way to meet experienced climbers and get out onto the real rock.

As for gear, dunno really about the Korean scene but here in Oz it is usually sufficient to just have some shoes and a harness and bum off the 'real climbers' for the rest of the stuff :-) (you can usually rent everything you need at a gym shoe and harness wise)

If you're keen let me know (I'll be in country on wednesday ... hope to have a good gym sorted soon thereafter ;-).

what's the student life like in Seoul anyway ?

Colin

[abwilson25]

Hello,

I was interested in maybe joining you or some other foreigners in the area for some rock climbing action. I recently relocated to the Seoul area (Gangnam) from California and will be here until March of 2005. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to meet some great sportsman (women) and make the best of my experience in this country.

If there is anyone reading this blog, please respond if you have the patience!

I would be interested in learning with someone over the next few months. I have yet to join a gym in the area, but would be interested in learning about good gyms that provide walls and excellent exercise equipment. I realize much of the gyms are outrageously expensive, but, i wam willing to incur the inexpense if the benefits far outweight the drawbacks.

So if anyone has any suggestions or contributions they would like to employ, i would very much like to see what I (we) can get into.

Thanks
Aaron
25 years old
Ventura, California

[kerry_321]

Hi
Ive been wanting to rock climb for ages, did a little bit back in England but have forgotten everything and have no gear here with me. How do i get started here in Korea. Any climbers out there who can give me some advice...
Thanks