November 5-6, SUNUNSAN!

[skinsk]

Quite a few people are heading to Sununsan next weekend (possibly Halmaebawi, too). While the weather's still nice, this would be a great time for a meet and greet (I would really love to reconnect with all the cool but far-flung people I've been priveleged to meet on this site! And it would be a great time to finally meet some of the folks I feel like I know but haven't actually met!).

If anyone wants to head down early, I live in Jeonju and finish work at 12:30 on Friday. It's a lovely city with a variety of things to do, and you could work in some sightseeing (or climbing). Crash space available Friday.

Anyway, I have gotten a bit addicted to "new places" (thanks so much to those of y'all who feed this addiction!!) that I have completely neglected Sununsan. . . the reason I chose to live in Jeonju, a place that really shaped my climbing and my life in Korea in the early years. I spent my first 2 Chuseoks there, took my mom there, and finally sent Saenaegi. Endless road trips, camping, hitting my head on the outrageously low door of the minbak/store (before the additions were built) where my entire gym would cram in for the night. What's your best Sununsan story? Don't have one, come down this weekend and create some! For memories, old and new, I am once again drawn to Sununsan. . . Hope to see many old and new friends this weekend. It's a magical place in autumn!

[Ilsanbro]

How far away is this place from madu station(orange line)? I get off of work at 9pm on friday, perhaps I could make it down. My climbing skills have weakened but I still need to get before the snow starts falling.

[skinsk]

Well, it's about 3 1/2 hours south of Seoul. You'd need to take a bus to Jeong-eup or Gochang (the former you could take a train to, then walk 10 mins or taxi to the bus station) and take a local bus to Sununsan. There is a possibility you could meet us (or others) at the bus station. If you can make it to Jeonju (busses run often and late from Seoul and the trip is just under 3 hours) Friday, I can meet you here, you can crash at my place and head out with the JJ folks Sat AM. There are not many weekends left to climb outside this year! Let me know if you need more specific info.

[Ilsanbro]

I am not sure if I can make it to Seoul in time to catch a bus, I dont get off of work until 10pm. Could you give me your phone number and I will call you sometime during the day tomorrow, Friday. Side note, did you go to grad school in Boulder?

[skinsk]

All my contact info is in my profile. Hope you can come. I never went to school in Boulder-- but the University is lovely (my brother finished his undergrad there) and I try to attend lectures, conferences, events there. I have class from 9-10:30 and 11:30 to 12:30. Give me a call after that.

Some of us will be meeting at the Gochang bus terminal around 8:30 on Sat morning-- might be a little early for Seoulites. Most of the folks who are coming are from the provinces, however the Anyang gym is heading down on Friday and camping, and there is possibly someone coming from Seoul Saturday. Anyone coming who has no PM or called me (not that you have to, but if you post, maybe you can link up with others from this site!)

[skinsk]

I just realized that the climbing at Sununsan is listed under two of the many crags within the park. And I am still using the old spelling, which seems to be confusing folks. I can only say "sorry". Searching Rock Climbs for Seonunsan Park (Mun Bawi and Soksal Bawi) will make things clearer.

There are at least 197 sport climbs at Sununsan, from one listed 5.7 to 5.13. Most are in the 10-12 range, but there are about a dozen 8-9. I'll bring my topos, but many of the climbs have names and grades listed below, and the numerous Korean climbers can help with the crags/grades.

There will be quite a few foreign climbers and I suspect many Koreans, so this is a good opportunity for anyone who has been having difficulty linking up with people. The premier crag in Korea, it's worth the effort to get down here. When I lived in Seoul, my climbing gym went here about twice a month, so is highly probable you'll connect with folks who live near you. I've also met many people here from around Korea who I later visited on their home turf. Bring my cell # and I will help if you are new to Korea and worried about getting lost. See y'all tomorrow. (Daejeon guys-- and gals-- hmm, er. . .um?! Eric--if I throw in beer? and put the rope on the 5.7? It's not like we all haven't watched each other flail before. . .or should I not post that?)

[Eric]

See y'all tomorrow. (Daejeon guys-- and gals-- hmm, er. . .um?! Eric--if I throw in beer? and put the rope on the 5.7? It's not like we all haven't watched each other flail before. . .or should I not post that?)I'm sure if you threw in enough beer I'd be flailing on the hike in. :p It really comes down to how much beer you're talking about.

Anyway, I'm not going to be able to make this trip. Have fun! I'm sure I'll meet most of you at some point.

eric

[skinsk]

What if it's really good "climber" beer?

[sebstar]

Hey Sonia

I have decided last minute to head down to Seonunsan with my Camp4 climbing gym.
I think we will be camping at the youth hostels and climbing predominantly at Seoksalbawi. It would be great to meet up.

So, see you there... I hope!
Seb

[skinsk]

Glad you decided to come. Heidi suggested you might (though she disn't disclose your name.) We're heading out early Sat. . . never camped at the Youth Hostel but we'll look for it.

Peace,

SK

[skinsk]

Hey Eric, figured I'd move the conversation here from http://www.koreaontherocks.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1293#post1293
7 foreigners and 4 Koreans . . . Saturday was beautiful! and rather quiet! Campsites were nearly empty and company pleasant.
Peter on-sighted Saenaegi.

Luckily the Koreans brought a tarp because you can probably figure out the rest of the story. . . it just wouldn't stop. . . I woke up briefly about every hour to the tapping on the tent. Still, it was a warn evening and a warm rain-- weird. . . we still walked around quite a bit.

Sun early the folks from Seoul/Gyeonggi left. 4 of us walked around a bit and 2 left. We Jeonju people hiked to the top of the the mountain. . . then packed up and got home early. Sigh. Sununsan was gorgeous, though, retaining colors through the rain. Sunday was swarming and even with the overcast/mist, cameras and tripods lined up along the creek. Didn't take many but I'll post a few photos if I can.

[Eric]

glad you guys got 1 good day in. i was wondering about that...