Insubong Peak is recommended for beginners attempting climbing for the first time. Insubong Peak is Bukhansan Moutain’s second peak, with a height of 811m. You must climb rocks to reach the summit, so ordinary hikers cannot do it without proper gear. Doesn't that fact stimulate your spirit of challenge? Insubong Peak has a variety of rock-climbing courses enjoyed by climbers, ranging from low-level courses that even beginners can climb after receiving simple training to high-level courses for experts.
Even on a course in which the difficulty level is not high, you can enjoy the fantastic scenery of the second peak, making it a popular place for beginners to learn basic climbing. We recommend that you try it after receiving professional training and equipped with the proper gear.
Ridge in the dictionary means a mountain/hill, mountain ridge, but among Korean climbers, it is used to refer to ‘rock climbing.’ The Insu Ridge consists of seven or eight pitches, depending on the course. You can feel the sensation of climbing with your whole body as the climbing method and the scenery is slightly different for each section.
In addition, climbing a rock wall to the top is difficult in itself, so imagine feeling that sense of exhilaration and achievement from your fingertips to your toes after climbing. You can feel like you have the world under your feet when you look at the scenery from the towering rock.
Along with Insubong Peak, beginners love another course: the Nojeokbong Peak Climbing Course. Located in the lower western part of Mangyeongdae Overlook, it is 716m above sea level. Although lower than Insubong Peak, it boats as great of a view. Nojeokbong Peak is divided into two courses. The climbing difficulty is similar to Insubong Peak’s, but the approach (first ridge) is relatively easy compared to Insubong Peak, which lessens the burden.
Even though Insubong Peak and Nojeokbong Peak are for beginners, climbing is more dangerous than hiking. There are also much more equipment essentials such as helmets, rock shoes, ropes, harnesses, chokes, choke bags, and climbing safety rules that hikers are unaware of.
Unlike hiking, which has a relatively low barrier to entry, climbing requires training before going up the mountain. Due to the nature of the movements against gravity, there is a risk of falling, leading to severe injuries. Furthermore, it is necessary to know the shape of the rock wall or ridge and the surrounding conditions.
If you are a beginner, you should be with someone who has enough experience to deal with emergencies. Lastly, you must pay attention to safety and choose a course with a difficulty level that you can handle.
Indoor sports and rock-climbing classes are held at the BAC Center in Ui-dong near Bukhansan Mountain. It provides an environment where you can learn about sports climbing at various levels. With ‘Sports Climbing Daily Experience,’ you can experience small doses of sports climbing, and with "Lead Wall Climbing Daily Lessons," you can learn and master the basics of the climbing system.
Various levels of rock-climbing classes are also available. ‘Insubong Rock Climbing’ and ‘Mangyongdae Rock Climbing’ offer a curriculum for beginners. ‘BlackYak Climbing School’ program is where those with experience travel to Seoul’s famous mountains and improve their rock-climbing skills.
If you love mountains and hiking and want to experience the mountains differently and dynamically, we recommend that you go beyond being a hiker and challenge yourself as a climber.