Daejeon Climbing Wall + Halmaebawi

[shanja]

Saturday August 30. Mo-mo (효헌), Kat, Dave, Lindsey, Seungbin, Brandon, Kapo, Diana and I met up at the brand spanking new super duper Daejeon Outdoor Climbing wall. Now open and free to public use. It's sweet and steep, but should have routes for anyone. Check out the info about it at the following link (or search Artificial Walls): http://www.koreaontherocks.com/climbing/areas.php?area_id=258&q=area_type%3D5%26
After watching difficulty and speed comps with gym teams from Ace in Seoul, Cheongju, Cheonan, Gwangyang, Jeonju, Ansan and of course the local Daejeon heroes such as 이홍필, 한상훈, 염기현, 김기홍 etc etc. We were suitable impressed and enthused.
Went off for a really great cultural art tour of Gongju's mountainside art expo at Yeonmisan (연미산) as part of the Biennale going on there. Really good stuff. Sunday we wended our way to Halmae and climbed there with no trouble...well apart from the climbing type - which we love. Great efforts and leads by Brandon, Kapo, Lindsey, Kat and of course Dave (so strong!). Lots of greenery growing back there. Looked like a deserted crag, and most of the 10-12 rebolted routes still lack the 1st bolt. So it's highball starts. Tahnks so much for the crew that turned up, and for the beers, belays, leads and feeds.

[shanja]

The new wall in Daejeon has been closed temporarily, while the city government and managers get all their legal paperwork and licensing sorted out. This explains the barrier tape and deserted look. Do not climb here until the green light is given. That should be in the very near future, maybe in the 1st week of October, maybe sooner. The major of Daejeon is the brother of a very strong local climber, so we can expect he's doing all he can to get this sorted. The comp that was held there was a special cases exception, with a temporary 1 day licence.
The routes will also be reset and a good number of extra holds added to the monstrously big structure. Fingers crossed and thanks for your patience guys (and girls!).

[shanja]

OK FINALLY!! The Daejeon outdoor wall over in the South Car-Park of the Yuseong-Gu World Cup Stadium, is licenced and OPEN!
Open hours are 9am-6pm at the moment (awaiting flood-light instillations in future), 6 days a week. It is closed on each MONDAY for cleaning and maintainence apparently. Lots of routes are ready there, for everyone from bumbly to crankin' hard-person. It's free, but you'll need to bring draws (about 12 should do you) and a rope as well as your shoes. Daejeon folks are super friendly, so come on up/down/across from wherever you are.