Gwangju’s Bouldering Scene

A New Face to Scale

By Catherine Sasmita

Recently dubbed one of the trendiest activities, bouldering has seen consistent growth in community size over the past few years. South Korea is home to prominent competition climbers, such as Chon Jong-won, Kim Ja-in, and Lee Do-hyun, and it’s high time that more attention was brought to the sport. The hype has extended beyond the capital with more communities and gyms forming in various parts of the country.

Often referred to by the broader term “rock climbing,” bouldering differs from other forms of climbing sports. The most noticeable difference is that only crash pads are used for safety without the addition of ropes and harnesses, with most problems reaching a maximum height of only 4.5 meters. This extreme sport requires not only strength and endurance but also a set of techniques, flexibility, and creativity.

Byun Jin-uk, 27, shared what drew him most to bouldering. Having just started a year ago, the avid boulderer has seen quick and consistent progress. “When I boulder, I have to focus on nothing but the route itself. Where you start and where you finish – everything is already laid out for you,” he explained. He added that the sport’s low bar for entry allows beginners to easily experience its thrills.

Moving on to Gwangju, with its vibrant and dynamic community, the city is not immune to the trend. Although there have been several well-known bouldering gyms established for several years in the city, such as Handwerk and RedOne, the popularity of the sport presents an opportunity for new contenders to emerge. Earlier this year, the Sangmu district welcomed the pristine Incave (인케이브) Climbing Gym.

Incave first opened its doors on February 7 with various events, such as lucky draws and open festivals, for both Instagram followers and visitors. On top of their floor-to-ceiling window, the gym differentiates itself by providing guests with a stylish interior and even a garden to accompany the guests as they enjoy a short break. Route settings are scheduled on Thursdays, up to three times a month, allowing even frequent gym-goers to experience fresh problems during their visits.

The climbing gym offers various packages for guests to choose from, with their one-day pass priced at 20,000 won and their one-year pass at 1,000,000 won. Similar to any other gym in Korea, climbing shoes are required, and the gym offers shoe rental at 3,000 won and chalk at 2,000 won. For first-timers, they offer a one-day experience package that includes a lesson and equipment rentals for an intriguing price of 25,000 won. Walk-ins are very welcomed, but it is recommended to book the one-day package in advance through Naver due to its high demand.

Incave regularly hosts exciting events, such as the Outcave Beer Party and an outdoor bouldering session in May. For the latest updates and event registrations, it’s best to follow their Instagram account. Incave could be the perfect hub for those looking to challenge themselves and be a part of an active community in the heart of the city.

Incave Sangmu (인케이브 상무) Address: 6th Floor, 46 Sangmu Jungang-ro, Seo-gu Operating Hours: Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. Contact: 0507-1366-4305 Instagram: @incave_sangmu

Photographs courtesy of  Incave.