Valandre Blog

Gangnam Style

South Korea has more to offer than Hyundai cars and Samsung smartphones – actually they have a wild unbridled culture, where style is key.

 

 JB KIM

JB KIM

 

JB KIM works in the marketing department of Black Yak in Seoul. JB graduated from law school at the University of Seoul, but his attachment to mountaineering drove him to develop what he calls: The NOMAD STYLE.

Korean NOMAD STYLE is a mixture of engaged high altitude climbing mixed with Rock & Roll and sex. NOMADE STYLE people naturally attend funerals of climbing friends in a suit….but it does not necessarily need to be clean.

 

 

JB KIM is a creative NOMAD STYLE climber, and besides working at Black Yak, JB fiddles around with videos. In the video above you can meet JB KIM in the role of “the diver” in the SINCITY video.

 

THE ORIGINAL Mrs OH down gear from Annapurna

THE ORIGINAL Mrs OH down gear from Annapurna

THE ORIGINAL Mrs OH down gear from Annapurna

Mrs Oh Eun Sun’s summit equipment ( Bering down parka + Baffin down bibs), is on display at the Black Yak & Valandre booth at ISPO winter. After her summit of Annapurna, a BIG controversial discussion started, whether she summited Kanchenjunga or not. At Valandre we have no reason to doubt the honesty of a little woman who climbed 4 8000m peaks in 2009, and have no reason not to trust the words of PRESIDENT KANG. During a very direct conversation with Reinhold Messner at this year’s Winter OR, Messner confirmed that, after having examined all available documents and using what’s left of his brain cells, that Mrs Oh DID summit Kanch!  So BRAVO Mrs Oh, you cross the line in a first place.

 

 

PRESIDENT KANG – BLACK YAK – SOUTH KOREA

PRESIDENT KANG - BLACK YAK - SOUTH KOREA

PRESIDENT KANG - BLACK YAK - SOUTH KOREA

Tae Sun Kang does this name ring a bell in your ears? No – so let us explain:

South Korea is the NUMBER ONE nation worldwide with the most climbers having completed the 14 8000 peaks. 6 Koreans have climbed all 14 8000 peaks (84 8000 peaks), and are still alive. That ALL of them used Valandre down equipment, is not as interesting to know, as who was behind this. Tae sun Kang has been the driving force behind all these successful 8000m peak climbs, and is now President of honor of the Korean Alpine Federation Seoul section. Some have the privilege and joy to summit, others have the privilege of making it possible, and Tae sun Kang is one of them. So we are friends President Kang and I.