A few weeks back I went out of the city to Ichon. It's actually not too far away. Mikhail, a friend who I saw on a weekly basis here in Seoul actually lived and taught out there, while his girlfriend lived and taught up here. So anyway, theres this lovely little mountain--which I'd rather more call a "bump" out there that we'd heard of from KOTR (Korea on the Rocks--the waygookin access to rock climbing in Korea site). If you want to know how to get out there, check out http://www.koreaontherocks.com/The mountain, Dodeuramsan, has three minor peaks, labeled 1,2, and 3...and one major peak. we passed one and two easily and looped way around three to find ourselves at the main peak, asking random Korean hikers for direction to the bolted area of the mountain. They didn't know, but we were offered cucumbers and kimchi and soju along the way--always rely on the kindness of strange mountain-people.
So here's how you ACTUALLY get there:
after you reach the MAIN peak (not 1,2, or 3), pass it and walk along a little ridge. you'll find yourself at a little wooden fence--there is a sign saying that 8 people were injured and one person died in a rock slide. Climb under that sign and you will see one of the most interesting sights I've seen in a boulder-path here in Korea. Shiny metal bars, like ladder rungs you might see coming out of a pool are bolted right into the rocks. So you wedge yourself down and around--we threw our backpacks down ahead of time, as ropes are heavy--then you have two options. KOTR directions tell you to head right down the metal stairs. which will lead you to a GORGEOUS but incredibly eerie tunnel of massive boulders. you can see the wooden steps have been smashed, like in an old-timey western mining tracks ride at some theme-park somewhere. this is where the accident occurred. your other option is to go over the top, hang a right immediately as the path splits off onto dirt trails. Cut right thru the fence just after the barbed wire ends. you'll see the rock-face there, in the shade and overgrown by ferns and bell-shaped purple flowers.
The rock was dusty and there was hardly any chalk to give away an idea of handholds. I did some leading, and it was Fantastic. Lead climbing is not so difficult, but it's the fear that gets me--mind control--as they're always telling me in the gym. I need to work on my mental game. So I took my first real outdoor lead fall. and it was a doozy. The last bit had very few and narrow footholds. I was several feet from my last quick-draw, and the climb was positive (meaning sloping forward, rather than out), so when I fell, it was quick and dirty. I screamed a bit, scraped my arm, and as I was falling I remember telling myself, "This is a part of the leading experience, just chill out and let it happen." and then I was free falling for a millla-second, but it felt like forever. and then I had to go back up, while shaking. and my adrenaline was on a major high. it's why I climb. To beat myself. To "serve" that mountain, make it my mistress.
We explored the folk village, ceramics festival (Ichon is famous for it's ceramics), and generally participated in a bit of goofing off after climbing.
This is us posing next to the city's mascot--a giant block of clay....Seriously.
btw, these are all Liam's pictures. I stole them. Thanks, man!
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