Korean Job Discussion Forums

Ron Stevens · Joined: 10 Feb 2006

I've never really been into traipsing around mountains and other outdoorsy kind of stuff but went hiking recently and was amazed that along with wearing this branded dept store hiking regalia (black) its seems some kind of pole was de rigeur

does the thing serve any actual practicle purpose?

BS.Dos. · Joined: 29 Mar 2007

I used to wander the same thing, but apparently the walking poles serve to ensure that you use all 4-limbs i.e. pushing down with your arms etc rather than simple walking and leaving you arms swinging by your sides.

Think about how a cross trainer works. You're using your arms as well which results in a more complete workout. Same principle applies to using sticks.

Great for beating back roaming packs of Lions/Tigers/Scouts as well.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

If you're curious about the use of walking sticks, you can read more about them here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walking_stick

The exact canes you're talking about are from those Koreans in Finland:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_walking

indytrucks · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Location: The Shelf

Hiking in Korea is definitely something to behold. The other week I did a curcuit at Gyeryongsan, and I swear some people looked like they were primed for the final assault to the top of Everest. And the expensive gear! There was one guy with a rucksack that was the same size as he was. All for a mountain no higher than 800m and 5 hours for a full 8-9km curcuit.

poet13 · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:51 am Post subject:

I see the same thing with bicyclists. Low to medium priced bike, but wearing skin tight racing gear, saddleback, timers, lights, goggles, gloves, you name it. I usually see them sitting in cafes on the side of the road trying to look cool.

seoulsucker · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 8:11 am Post subject:

Not into hiking much, but I have to ask...

WTF do they put into those packs? I pack lighter for a 2 week excursion through SE Asia. These guys are going up for half a day at most. Is it to increase the level of the CV workout you get on the way up?

Someone enlighten me, please.

waggo · Joined: 18 May 2003 Location: pusan baby!

I like the little bells they hang on their rucksacks to scare the bears.

stumptown · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 4:01 pm Post subject:

It's just that Koreans are so into "gear" that they go overboard. Like another poster said about riding racing gear to sit around in front of Family Mart to look cool, I've never seen anyone riding in the mountains around here, but there are plenty of people riding up and down the streets.

ilovebdt · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Location: Nr Seoul

mnhnhyouh · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Location: The Middle Kingdom

SuperFly · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Location: In the doghouse

merkurix · Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Location: Not far from the deep end.