Gwangju

[skinsk]

So I ran into an old friend (황평주) at Opera House today (we nearly didn't recognize each other!!) and he now has a gear shop in Gwangju that sells climbing gear. It's Outdoor mania Starun in Seo-gu, Ssangchon-dong 976-39. The phone number (for taxis?!) is 062)384-1514.

If Pyeong-ju is there, do tell him Sonia sent you:)

[CharlesCullen23]

This store is great. The owner built the climbing gym here in Gwangju that I attend and he frequently shows me the ropes on the wall. Great guy and the variety he has at his store is nice. There is also one other climbing store/outdoor store that I can reccomend for Gwangju and that is OKOUTDOOR in downtown Gwangju. They have chalk bags, shoes, harnesses, quickdraws, biners, slings, daisy chains but no rope, ATC's, helmets, cams or nuts. The people there are great and you usually get a nice discount with your first purchase. Definately reccomend it.

[Goulash]

Thanks for the info.

Is it possible to get directions to this place from the Ssangchon Station?

Or possibly microsoft paint an X on the map attached and upload it?

I'd love to check out what this place has to offer next time I'm in town.

Thanks guys.

[armari]

Thought I'd bump this thread to update some of the information.

OKOUTDOOR in downtown Gwangju no longer sells climbing shoes or harnesses but they do have a small selection of quickdraws and belay tools.

To my knowledge Starun in Seo-gu is the best store in Gwangju and can accommodate most of your climbing needs. To get there, you can take a taxi to Sangmu E-MART from which, Starun is about a 10 minute walk (It's next to a fairly big cycling store). I have marked the stores location roughly on this map (http://i51.tinypic.com/dncbp5.jpg) and a picture of the shop front here (http://i52.tinypic.com/257k505.jpg).

Whilst in Sangmu, do take a peaceful stroll through the May 18 Memorial Park with its excess of fashionable and enthusiastic Korean power walkers :) (opposite E-Mart).