Climbing Newbie in Busan

[blunderbuss]

Hi all! I'm real new to climbing and living in Busan (near Seomyeon) but one of my new semester resolutions is to get into climbing in Busan and then the rest of Korea. My only experience is climbing with Jake and the Daejeon crew at the wall there once this summer but I had a great time and have been wanting to meet some of the Busan KotRers and get into the action.

It seems like my next step is to get shoes and a harness and start at it, but I'm sort of unclear which are the best shops in Busan for gear? I've done some looking on KotR and online, but I figure a more up-to-date opinion would be helpful. Also, any advice on which gyms are best/most foreigner-friendly so I can get a start on practicing would be really appreciated!

Anyway, I'd love any help I can get and hope to do some climbing soon!

- Steve -

[Hoffman]

Hi Steve. There are plenty of climbers here in Busan that can help you find gyms & gear. It just so happens that I'm going to a climbing shop myself tomorrow morning in Yeonsandong, which is pretty easy to get to from Seomyeon. Can you meet at Yeonsandong subway exit 12 @ 10am? Text me if you can make it. (Cell # in profile)

Your closest gym is probably this one, but a group of us go to Dongnae wall or Dae Ryuk Bong about twice a week, usually in the mornings. Once you get hooked up with shoes/harness you're welcome to join us. What are your working hours?

Welcome to the community.

[intoutdoor]

Yeah Steve, glad we have another busaner here, (we just lost two). Glad you are here, give me a call if you need any help finding gear and gyms. 010-8220-4881. I'll be with james tomorrow at the gear shop as well.

[Park, Cheolyoung]

Hi, nice to see you in busan!(i'm korean, so my english might not be good..)

you can buy nice pair of shoes from internet. fiveten, la sportiva, madrock and etc.. is available. it's quick, one day after you'll get it.
If you know your size well, then It will be very easy to order..


If you want to wear it before buy it, Since Not so many climbing gear shop in busan. so your choice is very limited..

Mack (intoutdoor) knows where the gear shop is.

However I'm adding a map for your own.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...86d97690293e98

Since foreigner's feet are bigger than korean, It might be hard to find the shoes which fit you well.

for the Gym, better choose nearest one. Cuz most of gym, better don't expect they can speak english well. but most of them are friendly to foreigner. So don't worry. they wont harm you.

if you want to do some bouldering on weekend then tell me.

I'll show you what we have been doing in busan.

010-9310-3043

-young.

[blunderbuss]

Thanks a lot for the feedback! I work a public elementary, so my schedule is pretty locked onto Mon-Fri 9-5, for better or worse. Having done some looking around online, I'm probably going to use either Saturday daytime or Sunday daytime as a shopping day around town (I know a couple of the climbing/hiking shops). I'll get in touch as my timing and then shopping get in more exact order and hopefully get out to a wall or some rocks with people! Hope to catch you guys soon!