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Munsusan (Ulsan/Busan area)

International > Asia > S Korea > North/S Gyeongsang-do…

Description

8/12/2020

Munsu-san is a popular sport climbing area near Ulsan, South Korea in the province of South Gyungnam. It was first developed in the late 1980s to early 1990s, but new routes are being developed even now. It has about a hundred total routes across 9 different walls and is divided into an upper (sang-dan) and lower (ha-dan) crag. The rock is gneiss rock with various features, lengths, and grades from 5.7-5.13a. All of the routes are south facing and gets sun all day, but there are pockets of shade provided by trees and cool breezes all day if a party of Koreans hasn't gotten there first. This crag is popular year round, but is an especially popular winter crag where Koreans from all over the country will come and climb. On the weekdays you are most likely to be alone, but on a nice Sunday it will be a madhouse. 

Please be respectful of the locals. Pack out all of your trash and be mindful of how loud you are at the crag.

Getting There

8/12/2020

Type in 문수산전망대 주차장 (Munsusan Mountain Observatory Parking Lot) on Naver Maps or Kakao Maps and it should take you directly to the upper parking lot. I would definitely take a taxi or a car to the parking lot opposed to public transportation as the bus drops you off 30-40 minutes from the parking lot with a steep hike in front of you. From The University of Ulsan, the taxi to the upper parking lot should cost you less than 10,000 won ($8 USD). If taking a taxi going back home, you may have to walk down from the parking lot a bit to catch one.

To the lower crag: There is a hiking trail below the upper parking lot to your left. Follow the trail for about 4 minutes (you'll pass a small boulder on your right) until you get to a fork in the road. Take the right trail that takes you up stone staircases until you hit some wall. See pictures for reference. 

To the upper crag: Go up the paved road up the upper parking lot. there is a well developed path with mats to the temple. Hike for about 10-15 minutes until you get to big, obvious stone steps leading to the temple with railing. Traverse LEFT of this and you should see bolts on your right. The first crag you pass is Gi-jone crag. 

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

3. After passing the boulder, walk 2 more minutes to a fork in the road. Take the trail to the right up stone stairs to get to the lower crag.
[Hide Photo] 3. After passing the boulder, walk 2 more minutes to a fork in the road. Take the trail to the right up stone stairs to get to the lower crag.
4. Stone stairs to lower crag.
[Hide Photo] 4. Stone stairs to lower crag.
1. Trail to the left to get to the lower crag directly. Follow the paved road for the upper parking lot and trail to the upper crag.
[Hide Photo] 1. Trail to the left to get to the lower crag directly. Follow the paved road for the upper parking lot and trail to the upper crag.
2. If you pass boulder to your right, then you're on the right path to get to the lower crags.
[Hide Photo] 2. If you pass boulder to your right, then you're on the right path to get to the lower crags.
Cranking on a 12 at Munsu.
[Hide Photo] Cranking on a 12 at Munsu.
Up the ramp to the right to get to the upper parking lot and upper crag trail, which is also the trail to the temple. There are bathrooms here as well as free public mosquito repellent. Highly recommend you put on the mosquito repellent.
[Hide Photo] Up the ramp to the right to get to the upper parking lot and upper crag trail, which is also the trail to the temple. There are bathrooms here as well as free public mosquito repellent. Highly reco…
A picture of the trad wall
[Hide Photo] A picture of the trad wall
11d at far wall
[Hide Photo] 11d at far wall
This is a view of the entire place from afar.
[Hide Photo] This is a view of the entire place from afar.
10 a at the far wall
[Hide Photo] 10 a at the far wall
This is a 10b at the lower wall
[Hide Photo] This is a 10b at the lower wall
This is a 10a at the lower wall
[Hide Photo] This is a 10a at the lower wall