Bouldering potential near Masan-Changwon

[nicco33]

I'm contemplating a return to Korea next month. I'm torn between living in Gangwon (for the 35 days of vacation/year) and on the south coast in Gyeongnam for the weather and climbing.

I haven't heard any details re: jobs in Gangwon, at least not yet, but there are positions available in Masan and Goseong (home of the dinosaur park, for anyone familiar with it) come mid-May.

I know there are decent crags in Sacheon and Tongyeong (near Goseong), but have never climbed in Masan.

Any thoughts to share on the accessibility of crags/availability of bouldering in and around Masan?

Cheers,

Nick

[shanja]

Nick mate, good to hear from you again! Hope alls been good with you. I'd say go with Gangwon-do...there is a great crew up there (Wonju, Sokcho etc) and though the SW has great weather and some good crags there has been a lot of development in the bouldering scene up round Seoraksan etc too. Jon Brown ("1tacocat1") is living down in Tongyeong though so give him a bell and see what he says (or Stuart Aird aka "goulash" in Yeosu).

[skinsk]

Hey. . . that's cool that you're coming back!! I'll visit you either way!! Masan is not a great city, nor a fun one to drive through/around. . . there is some urban craggin right in the city (but oh-- the drive!!) and you're close to soooo much. . . between Mokpo/Wolchulsan/Yongseo/Horangsan, and Jeollanam and all the Gyeongnam around Busan, Geoje, Sinban. . . and places you already know.

But that vacation is nice. . . how much vake in Masan? How does it compare with what you had and well, you're experienced enough to weigh it against 35 days (is that in addition to Korean holidays? blocked together. . .)

Where in Gsngwon-- it's defintiely more remote, but not so far from Donghae, Kahyeon, even Daegu. . . and Seorak is your playground. . . consider if you like ice and snow. . . you're Canadian so if you miss winter. . . Gangwondo offers that. . . the south has much longer climbing seasons. . . (of course, you can use your vacation in Thailand maybe and sweat off the rocks in January. . .

Keep us posted!

[nicco33]

Will do, Sonia.

As far as I can tell, the only way to apply for jobs in Gangwon is to go through EPIK and they only have two intakes a year (correct me if I'm wrong). I'd rather start sooner or later, so chances are, I'll wind up in Gyeongnam come mid-May. They only offer 18(?!) days a year, but I guess I can make due if it means the climbing season will be 10 months long instead of 8.

Where are you at these days? Send me an update via FB.

[nicco33]

And thanks for the connections, Jake. I'll send Jon and Stuart PMs to ask if they have thoughts to share...

Hope to see you soon, Mate.

-Nick

[Brad]

Hows it going? I'm rocking it in Changwon right now and things are pretty low key in the city. I have yet to meet a foreign climber hailing from the city and my beta levels are pretty low. There is one small crag I've found in palyong-san, the area also has some decent bouldering if you walk around. There are 2 gyms, one in CW and the other in Masan. I go to the Masan gym. Its kind of small but the owner will give you a key which is great for crazy hours. Lots of cool stuff 30 minutes-2 hour drive away from the city.