Looking for General info about Korea and outdoors

[fredekr]

Hi everyone,

This is a bit off-topic, but, since I know what climbers usually think like, I wanted to solicit some opinions here.

My wife and I are considering moving to Korea for a year or two. I would be teaching English, she would be teaching or writing (freelance, internationally, she's self-sufficient).

What I'm looking for is general information about where climbing, mountaineering, and general outdoor opportunities are in Korea -- can anyone give me a general sense of geography and/or point me some URLs? Also, I'd like to know the general crowded-ness and attitude of the other climbers/mountaineers/etc -- can you get away from people, is there wilderness, etc.? And how does one get to the crags/peaks/whatever (bus, private car, etc)? What about daily outdoors access -- are there places to live where I could go on a hike within minutes from my apartment?

For example, if I go sport climbing then having other people around is part of the fun. But I also like to get out and see no one at times; have a route to myself.

I've been talking to some schools in Korea including "Little America" in Taejon. So any specific information about Taejon is also appreciated.

Well that’s a longer a less focused post than I had hoped for. Think of it as an open opportunity to rant or rave about Korea…!

cheers,
Kevin

[Eric]

Welcome to the site, Kevin!

Hopefully I can answer a few of your questions. Maybe others have something to say about your questions as well.

What I'm looking for is general information about where climbing, mountaineering
There is not a whole lot of info out there in English about this. Korea On The Rocks is a new site bu you should be able to find some valuable info about rock and ice climbing here. As far as mountaineering goes, there's not much. A lot of folks who plan on mountaineering will train up at Seoraksan and do long ridge climbs in their boots. That's about the extent of it.

and general outdoor opportunities are in Korea
It depends on what you are looking for and in what capacity. I have friends who persue hang gliding here while it's near impossible to go fly fishing... It really depends on what you are in to.

can anyone give me a general sense of geography and/or point me some URLs?
Basically the entire eastern coast to about halfway across the peninsula is mountainous. The mountains stretch from North Korea to Busan on the southern coast. Don't know any URLS.

Also, I'd like to know the general crowded-ness and attitude of the other climbers/mountaineers/etc -- can you get away from people, is there wilderness, etc.?
Now on to the uglier side, crowds. Imagine 46 million people living in say Illinois. Therefore places get crowded fast. If you climb on the weekend, especially Sunday, you will have company. On the flip side, Koreans climbers are super friendly and always helpful. To escape the crowds you will probably need to head to one of the major national parks (seoraksan, Jirisan, etc...) and plan to be there for a few days. Many of the smaller NP's and provincial parks get really crowded on the weekend and it's difficult to escape. That being said, in this small country there are at least 40 National and provincial parks. There is a lot of green space outside of the city!

And how does one get to the crags/peaks/whatever (bus, private car, etc)?
Buses go nearly everywhere, and the rail system is quite extensive as well. I used to travel by bus all the time but now I have a car and am able to get to more remote climbing areas or just get there faster.

are there places to live where I could go on a hike within minutes from my apartment?
Many cities are not too far from NP's and most cities will have a small mountain to do short 1-4 hour hikes on. Within minutes? Maybe 15-60 minutes.

But I also like to get out and see no one at times; have a route to myself.
If you mean a long multi-pitch, your best bet is a weekday. See the climbing areas Insubong and Seonin Bong for starters.

I've been talking to some schools in Korea including "Little America" in Taejon. So any specific information about Taejon is also appreciated.
I live about 10 minutes from Little America in Daejeon and I have a few buddies there. Send me a PM for more info/questions.

I hope I have answered a few of your questions and feel free to post more when you have them. There are a lot of people on the site who can help you.

later
eric

[fredekr]

Hi Eric,

Thanks for the info; very helpful. As a climber, what is the most desirable city to live in Korea?

Thanks!
Kevin

[Eric]

Tough call. I am pretty sure Daejeon is not the most desirable, though there is good climbing close by.

If you like sport climbing, I would consider Busan. There are a few climbing areas in the city that I know of. Nearby there is climbing in Gimhae, Ulsan, etc... (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/search.php?type=1&area_name=&area_city=&area_province=7&area_rating=&area_style=)

If you are into trad climbing then Seoul might be the place. You have Insubong (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/search.php?type=1&area_name=20), Seoninbong (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/search.php?type=1&area_name=29), etc... in the city.

Gyeryong Mountain is just outside Daejeon and has about 5 or 6 climbing areas. Some are fun, some are sketch, most require a significant hike in.

If I could live anywhere I would choose Jeoneup south of Jeonju about 45 minutes. Why? Because it is very close to Halmae Bawi (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/search.php?type=1&area_name=1), Soksal Bawi (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/search.php?type=1&area_name=9) and Mun Bawi (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/search.php?type=1&area_name=11). These places have great, overhanging, limestone routes! FUN! But Jeongeup is small and if you are looking for a westerner scene, it's probably small. I could be wrong though.

Regardless, wherever you decide to call home, climbing is never too far away in Korea.

See you on the rocks
eric

[antepater]

I would like to throw my 2 cents in. If I knew what I know now I would have bought a car ASAP the moment I was settled. Also I would have picked a job near Seoul, but I prefer trad also access to a larger foriegn community of climbers and gyms. But I have met some great people through this site and there is a lot of climbing around.

Enjoy have fun and Eric did a good job of explaining the options.

[Eric]

I agree. Get a car. I bought a used car for about 200 USD. I have buddies who have picked them up for under a thousand. Just get your international driver's license from AAA in the states, bring your current car insurance form (if you have one) and you're in business.

-eric

[fredekr]

Hey,

Thanks for all the information. If I had a car, it seems like Korea is small enough that I could get to most climbing areas for a weekend -- is that true?

cheers,
Kevin

[Eric]

On a non-holiday weekend you can drive from Seoul to Busan in about 6-7 hours, if that gives you an idea of how far things are in Korea. From Daejeon, nothing is more than 5 hours away.

BTW, when are you coming?

-eric

[fredekr]

No date yet. Still considering various offers, latest are one in Kunsan, and one in Cheong Ju, and some possibilities in Mexico, which is actually my preference at the moment.

cheers,
Kevin

[antepater]

There is fantastic climbing in Mexico! Especially near Barrancas de Cobra. Also Near the central valley near Guanajuato. No Money in Mex unfortunately but I plan to spend a couple months there after here. Peace

[climbergrrl]

Hi there! Just noticed that you guys really recommended getting a car. How did you go about buying your used car? Is there any place or website you can recommend? Also, how do costs run for you in terms of purchasing, insurance, maintenance, toll booths, gas, etc...? Does anyone have a reasonable used car for sale (as in, reasonably reliable and also reasonably cheap? (I really love KIA Prides, they remind me of my old '89 Jetta...of course, my Jetta was always breaking down...)

[Eric]

Climbergrrl,

First of all, welcome to the site!

RussT just posted a used car for sale at this thread (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/showtopic.php?topic_id=28). He posted it a few days ago so it might still be for sale.

As far as getting a car goes, i think most people get them from other foreigners who are leaving. One of my friends bought one from a mechanic who also sells used cars for his customers.

Cars are cheap. My Kia Pride (1990) only 200,000! ;)

Insurance, far better than the states. 5-600,000 a year but i guess that depends on what kind of car it is.

Tolls, pricey. After a good hour on the freeway expect to pay at least 5,000. And don't forget about the return trip.

Gas, no less than 35,000 to fill the tank.

Maintenance is really cheap and fast.

As for me, i just use my car to take weekend trips and leave the city driving to the taxi drivers and bus drivers. Basically my car just sits in the parking lot all week long and that keeps the expenses down.

Hope this helps!
eric

[antepater]

Hello Climrgrrl,
As far as the car RussT posted I just leased it for a few months. From what I have seen and my friends around Daegu cars run around 600,000 won = about $560 USD. I agree with Eric's plan which is why I leased it. It just sits by my house but I use it for weekend trips and running out to the local crag for quick climbs in the evenings. Once you arrive and meet other foreigners and locals they can point you into the right direction. Peace

[RussT]

hey eric,
did you really have to pay that much to insure your car???
i insure that elantra for about 300,000 a year and my bike (600cc) for only 80,000. if you're getting soaked i can help hook you up if you like.
let me know. cheers,
Todd

[Eric]

Yeah, I am paying about 550,000 a year but it covers some sort of S.O.S. insurance which is cool because they will come anytime, anywhere and get you out of a jam. Maybe you are getting that coverage too, which would mean i am getting hosed.

I guess i was just stoked to pay so much less than I was paying in the states!

Maybe I will get a hold of you when it comes time to renew.

Thanks for the info! ;)

eric