Rock climbing in Korea: Where we climb

Climbing in Insubong

Climbing in Korea has become such an extensive part of our lives here in Seoul. If you followed us, you know we continuously post these pictures up with us on this mountain. We have a few rambling videos on climbing on "Insubong"; here and here. We have several albums of pictures dedicated to climbing in Korea on our Facebook pages. We even have an album of climbing pictures here. We think it's about time for us to release some more information of what we're doing here, climbing-wise.

The information isn't by any means secret. But if you're wondering what we're climbing or if you're reading this blog sniffing out climbing routes in Korea, keep reading! This could be a great round the world idea for you to start your outdoor travel adventures!

WHAT IS THERE TO CLIMB?

Climbing Insu-bong in winter via Go Deok Gil

There are a lot of climbing gyms in Korea, but most of them are bouldering gyms. We're not really gym rats... Korea is a very mountainous country. Dont' know where to go in Seoul? "Bukhansan", on the northern edge of the city, a city which few would think of as an "adventure getaway". Rock climbing in Seoul is actually very accesible. The city literally wraps around this mountain which is in a national park called "Bukhansan National Park". This is a very popular park for Seoulites. The peak in the mountain we climb is called "Insubong" which is across from the main peak called "Baegundae". From the summit of Insu, when you look across, it looks like an ant hill. Easy access (but complicated to get there) and a plethora of different routes attracts a lot of climbers to Insubong.

Everest trek with peak climb

A view of Lobuche peak

As time is drawing faster to an end to our chapter in South Korea, our plans are starting to come to a more solid fruition. Explorations leaves South Korea in February 2013 and as some of you know, our first stop is India. We'll spend 2 months stomping around India. Starting from Chennai we head down and around the cape. Then we head up into the desert, through central India and east toward Nepal where we'll possibly walk across into Nepal. At which point, it'll be some epic outdoor travelling adventure!

This Nepal trip is decked out to the max. We'll be doing a himalayan tour with a trek up to EBC (Everest Base Camp) and then a push to an altitude of 6,100 meters. To give you an idea, EBC is approximately 5,700 meters and planes fly at approximately 9,100 meters. The peak we're climbing is clocked at 6,100 meters. We'll be heading up to the Eastern Summit, via the Southern Ridge.

When North and South meets in the East - Finally the plan revealed!

Here we go folks! To our friends and family, here is a brief summary of who we are (for those in South Africa and Canada who don't know us yet!). And finally, what we're doing! This is incredibly exciting for us to tell you!

Who we are

When Christa, the South African, from Kwazulu-Natal stepped off the plane into Korea for her second round in Korea and when Ian, the Canadian, from Ontario signed for his 2nd year teaching in Korea, they didn't know what the future had planned for them.

Deep intertwined with an almagamation of South African and Canadian Chinese culture, the two are pounding out and exploring each other's cultures in a completely different country; Korea. Adventure travellers at heart, they start with their host country, climbing some epic peaks!

Collectively, they have visited some of the most off-beaten track places shared experiences across numerous countries. The list includes downhill biking descents in Switzerland, biking 2,000 kilometers in Canada, sailing down the Atlantic coast of America, visiting North Korea, ascending peaks in South Korea, trekking up volcanic mountains in Indonesia, climbing in Vietnam, scuba diving in Indonesia, snorkelling with whale sharks in Phillipines, and skiing in the most Northern Japanese island... just to name a few adventures!

The plan!!

With their smiliar mindset and personality, the dynamic duo plans a 6 month long journey deep into India and Nepal and more! A rough itenerary includes:

• Exploring and volunteering in India
• Trekking and climbing the Himalayas
• Mountaineering expedition, a peak marked at 6,110 meters, higher than that of Everest Base Camp
• Ian exploring Christa's home in South Africa
• Safari expeditions
• Finally landing in the Middle East to continue the world's exploration

With this set out, they will document their trials and tribulations, review places and equipment, and of all - share their life changing experiences so we can all see more of our playground that is the world. Stay tuned!

Love you all!

Christa and Ian