A weekend of climbing Ice in the frozen valley of Unaksan

I've been participating in Ice Climbing school hosted by the magnificent Peter Jensen of Sanirang Alpine Networks. Peter has numerous mountaineering experience and holds certifications with both the Korean Alpine Federation and the American Mountaineering Guides Association so you are sure to be well taken care of. This school was a four week endeavour and I leaned French techniques, technical body styles and proper safety. Peter shared his knowledge of many historical facts of the Corean Alpine Club, and how Ice Climbing used to be. Tools and techniques have advanced since those first summit attempts back in the times of George Mallory and Sir Edmund Hillary.

Being a rock climber for the last five years, I had entered new territory. At first I found the actual climbing part to be relatively easy as the transfer of skills from rock to ice was quite smooth. That was until I began how to walk on less than horizontal ice. Wow! This was definitely the hard part. With no rope to secure you from one slip - sliding down the curvaceous frozen fall that continued down the valley, I had to trust the crampons and the Ice axe that would ultimately offer me the protection I needed. Despite rising before dawn and frozen toes for 12 hours each day out, I was ecstatic with joy. To be outside and climbing a frozen waterfall that in just 2 months time will have morphed to flowing water was a marvel. I'm hooked. Even though the school has finished and the participants have "graduated", I am going again next weekend! Sanirang is a great teacher and super fun to hang with.Lots of laughter prevailed the bitter cold!