Korea bound this week...how's the climbing scene?

[fitzelq]

Hey everyone, my name is Dave and I'll be teaching English in Inchoen, starting the 19th. Now that's all well and good, but without climbing I would wither up and croak, so I was wondering what the climbing scene is like? I'll be bringing over my rope, a couple harnesses and probably fifteen QD's (trad gear may be shipped later, as well as the crash pad), so I'll have the gear if I can just find some partners. Lately I've been heavily addicted to bouldering as well (for like...the last 3 years...), so any direction to bouldering sites would be greatly appreciated!

Can't wait to get over there and thanks for the advice!
Dave

[Eric]

Dave

welcome to korea.

climbing scene is pretty good here, though being in Incheon you might have to travel a bit, at least to seoul.

what you are bringing is plenty for sport climbing in seoul. shoes and harnesses are pretty cheap here. hardware like draws and trad gear is pretty expensive.

there's a lot of trad climbing right around seoul if that helps you decide what to bring. after you go south of seoul its mostly sport climbing but some places you can throw in a cam or 2.

bouldering is harder to come by but there is some near Insubong. (see rock climbing near seoul) i would check out the scene before you ship your crash pad over. it may not be worth it.

there are plently of people on KOTR that are looking for partners nearly every weekend so hooking up with a group shouldn't be too hard. plus you are coming in the best season for climbing, autumn.

also, check out the Gyms section of the site as there is 1 gym listed there in Incheon. this is a great way to meet local and foreign climbers. plus koreans are usually very eager to take you with them on their trips. this is how i learned about some really cool climbing spots.

have a good trip!

eric