On the Rocks

Last week, I kept busy arranging a trip up to the northland to meet some new friends. As some of you know, I got a taste of real (outdoor) rock climbing at the end of last summer in Thailand. Following that experience I joined the Korea On The Rocks climbing club online here. It's mainly foreigners and a few Koreans. I didn't have a chance to go on any trips before the weather turned cold last fall, so I started right away this spring.

Last weekend was the spring Meet & Greet for new and old members to get together and kick off the season. I took a bus for 2 1/2 hours north into the ski resort area of Korea. I was near Wonju in Ganhyun park where there's a nice big crag with a wide variety of routes. On the ride up there, I was surprised by how mountainous the northern province is (Gangwon-do). It was a stark difference at the province border - rolling, tree covered, hilly-style-mountains turned to rocky, sharp, barren peaks.

At Ganhyun, I climbed the easiest ones a few times on Saturday and was surprised at my stamina - especially considering I hadn't climbed, or had a decent work out, since I was back in Bemidji (end of January).

That night we had a campfire and burritos, a well-deserved and long awaited Mexican-in-Korea meal. After the campfire, and sleeping on the ground in early April weather, I came down with a cold :(
So on Sunday, I took it easy and rested up - which resulted in me feeling how sore I was! That night, I rode back to Daejeon with another climber and took the train home from there. It was nice to see another part of the country, and the time has come to enjoy the cherry blossoms along the roads.

Now that I'm back home in Daegu, I've started going to the gym near my school. On Monday I just needed to stretch my locked up back and arms, sore from such a long period of rest. Once I get over my cold, I'll be sure and get out and capture some photos of the beautiful spring weather for you all! Until then.