climbing in korean

[samko]

i will go to seoul for climbing in may,anybody can tell me where is good area for climbing!! and where have cheap hotel or house can stay for 10 days!!:becky:

[shanja]

The biggest climbing area is Insubong I guess...it's mostly slab, crack and trad/ natural protection, so bring a full rack of cams, nuts, slings and a helmet! Routes from 5.7-5.12, all on granite. It's very crowded on weekends and that can make for some dangerous situations. Dobongsan next door is similar, though less crowded. There are also a lot of other climbing areas in Seoul. "min-bak" type hotels can be found near all the climbing areas in Seoul for about 20,000 won a day...you might get a discount if you book for 5 days or more. Check out the Search Climbs or Rock climbing areas links for more details. Keep posting and tell us your exact dates (Arrive and leave Seoul). I'm sure there will be some KOTRers wanting to climb at that time.

[samko]

thank you!!and how about the weather in may?it's good for climbing?

[shanja]

Yeah, it's about as sweet as it gets! Shouldn't get much/ any rain...temps about 15C-25C range...a little breeze perhaps. Good time.

[samko]

i will stay in korean for 2weeks!!i will go to bukhansan park and Sorak park for rock climbing!is there any new information for the 2 places?

[skinsk]

If you want to climb, you should head South!!

I'd be happy to put you up for a few days (though my place is small). . . and I have off Fri at 10:30 and Monday. On weekend's I'll probably join some people from this website. There are quite a lot of nice places near Jeonju (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/climbing/areas.php?area_keyword=&area_type=1&area_province=6&area_city=&area_park=&area_userid=&sort=name) (and some not as nice places).

Bukhansan (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/climbing/areas.php?area_keyword=&area_type=&area_province=&area_city=&area_park=1&area_userid=&sort=name) has some classic cracks and the nose/aid, but it's crazy on the weekends and it's mostly slab. They'll be Koreans there every Sunday, and often foreigner's bouldering near the campsites. It's easy to get to from Seoul; there are campgrounds and mountain huts.

Soraksan (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/climbing/areas.php?area_keyword=&area_type=&area_province=&area_city=&area_park=15&area_userid=&sort=name) is a beautiful park-- winding roads and no trains make it seem more remote than it is. On a good day, a bus from Seoul to Sokcho takes under 5 hours. There's a mountain hut right near some of the classic climbs, where climbers usually stay. They have route info, topos etc. I've met several partner's there, though with no holidays it might be hard to meet KOTR people. There are some people who live nearby, and who might be willing to meet with you. A car is very helpful getting to some of the sport climbs.

There's a lot of cheap/free camping in Korea, especially near the crags. Most National Parks have mountain shelters with space on a bunk for $5/night. There are also 24-hour saunas (with sleeping rooms) in most cities, and even near many parks ($4-10). . . there are rooms, minbaks, in the more rural areas and yeoinsuks near the larger villages/small cities for $10-20/night. Many good "love" motels can be found anywhere for $20-40, $30 being average for 2 people. When dealing with Koreans, a smile, a few words in Korean, and good acting/cherades skills are priceless.

If you have specific questions, check under "camping hiking backpacking" or "travel" threads. . . many people have posted good information (you can always ask, if you can't find the info you want). . . you can also try Korean National Parks' website (http://npa.or.kr/eng/parks/parks_main.asp). I am going to Jeju Island (http://www.koreaontherocks.com/climbing/areas.php?area_keyword=&area_type=&area_province=9&area_city=&area_park=&area_userid=&sort=name) the last weekend of May. . . not sure about the weeekends before that, but you're welcome to join in if you want.

[samko]

is there good climbing place in the south?have guide book in english?Bukhansan and Soraksan,is sport climbing or trad climbing?how many climbing routes ?

[samko]

i will arrive seoul in may26,leave in jun10,so i have two weeks in korean for climbing,if anybody can tell me where is good climbing areas ,thanks !!

[shanja]

Bukhansan is basically trad. There are bolts on the slabs, but a lot of routes (there are about 50-ish many 3-7 pitches long) require trad pro. There is also bouldering there. I think Soraksan is a lot of trad climbing too, but there is sport climbing also. There are KOTR people who live right near Soraksan (in Sokcho city) who could give you more info. I might be up there that weekend (26-27th). But otherwise Ganhyeon/Kanhyun is a shortish train ride from Seoul and is a cool sport climbing area with many routes. Shoes, harness, rope and draws is all you need there. Check out the Search Climbs link and also the Upcoming Trips link. Welcome to Korea too Sam!

[samko]

thank you Shanja!!but i will stay seoul maybe first go to Bukhansan in the first week(may26~jun2),then next week go to Soraksan,is there any climbing shop i can get the information in the two areas,can help me easily go for rockclimbing?~~~~~~thank you~~~~~~~~~

[shanja]

Bukhansan Park Enterance has a lot of climbing shops around it. Go in ask for a map (in English) of the rock climbing routes....they may only have Korean maps but the grades and basic information should be easy to understand.
I will try to scan and post a few route topo maps of Bukhansan climbs soon. Other KOTRers in Seoul (Les, Avenue, B-Team et. al.) do you have any ideas or suggestions for Samko?

[samko]

thank you!!good information for me!!

[samko]

i am in korean now!!
good food!!and good weather!!
tomorrow i want to climb insubong!!:)

[samko]

i live in saewha hotel!!it's good place!!i like it!!

[skinsk]

Is that near Dongdaemun Market? That would seem to be a good location! Have you found a gym or wall yet?
Did you get to Insubong?!

You seem very enthusiastic! I wish I could join you:crutch: . . .:frown:

[rosscanup]

On the road up to Bukhansan in north east Seoul there are a huge number of climbing shops where you're likely to run into other climbers, some of whom speak some english.

[samko]

yes!!that good!!
today i go to there in dobongsang station for climbing!!good feeling!!
nice rock and good people!!but i forget the rock's name??sorry!!

[samko]

yes!! i find it ~~~~~~~~today my coach take me to ~~~Seoninbong~~~~
it's so nice!!

[gogo]

Hey, if you are close to Dondaemun, I am staying in the same area and have been climbing around Seoul for the past two weeks.

I will probably go bouldering monday or wednesday (or both) this week, if you are interested, let me know.