"Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it, so it goes on flying anyway. "
-Mary Kay Ash

Wednesday 28 October 2015

España-Europe Trip Part Two



It's been just over two weeks since we've left Kalymnos. Although it may be fifteen degrees colder here and we are not surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the landscape here in Rodellar, Spain is just as beautiful. As I sit here writing this post I am reminded why so many climbers chose Rodellar to hang up their hats for a few months. The amount of sheer rock here is insane! We spent the first week of our time here just exploring the different crags and trying as many fun looking lines as possible. We have now been here just over two weeks and we still haven't climbed at all the areas but we have chosen a few specific areas (Ventanas, Surgencia and Prince Sans Rire) that we have been trying the more difficult routes we are hoping to get done before we head to Siruana.

I was actually in Rodellar four years ago with my family, friends as well as my former coach and climber extraordinaire Dung Nguyen. It was one of my first times outdoor climbing for much more then a day here and there on a weekend, Rodellar was where I sent my first 5.12a, the first time I took a big whipper outside and where I first became mesmerized with outdoor climbing. It's been really cool being back four years later and warming up on routes I struggled to even make it to the top of. The first thing I said looking at my old 12a project was "oh my god it's so short" (even though it's over 20m) . Lots has changed since the trip four years ago but the one thing that says the same is the reason I'm here, because I love to climb.

We now still have two weeks left here to enjoy. Which is a wonderful thing because I have not sent my projects, actually come to think of it the only thing I send each day of climbing are my warmups, if I'm lucky ;) haha. I am currently working on a route called El Chorreras la belle inconue which is a beautiful overhanging 5.13d (8b) . The crux itself is only five or so meters from the top so as you can imagine it's hard to feel fresh enough to do it after just under 30m of climbing below. But if conditions stay okay (it's been raining) and I can milk the shitty rest before the crux and give it my all I think it will go very soon. I was initially trying a world known route called Les Chacales 5.13d (8b) but I am three inches too short to reach a big bump move coming out of the crux...I found alternate beta for myself that requires me to do a very big cross off a two finger half pad undercling. But this sequence is really physically taxing and after I complete it, I am just too exhausted and pumped to do the top big moves on the route. So for now I have left the route and if I have time at the end of our stay I may go back to work on it some more. Yesterday we also tried a 5.14a (8b+) called Iexia. We have been wanting to get on it sooner but it's been quite wet, it for sure feels like next level but doable, If not in these next two weeks when I am back next time :) above all it just feels awesome to try hard!

That is all for now! If you guys are interested in seeing more about the trip I am updating Facebook and Instagram quite regularly with posts/photos :)

Until next time,

Becca



Thursday 1 October 2015

Europe Trip-Part One

Hi Everyone,

It's been a while since I last posted but I wanted to give you guys an update on my European adventures so far!! It's already been almost two months since I left Canada and it's crazy to think how much has happened since then. From the last bouldering World Cup in Munich,  the Youth World championships in Arco Italy, exploring Greece with my wonderful family and climbing in paradise here in Kalymnos, the past few months have been a whirlwind of adventure and fun that I can't wait to continue.

We've been here in Kalymnos for about 2 and half weeks now and island life is treating us well. We have been climbing as much as our skin can handle and taking the occasional rest day to relax by the pool and enjoy the ocean. Island life here operates at a crawl, especially in the mornings. It is rare to find people out and about before 10 unless they're going climbing, in which case people are sprinting up the hill to the Grande Grotta just past 8am to grab the most popular routes before the masses of other climbers arrive. Lucky for us hardy mountain folk who are used to 45 minute approaches to crags, most people's "sprint" to the grande grotta is turtle pace so we can leave our studio at 8:45 and get there at a reasonable time as well. :) Another example of slow Island life...The climbing shop here  opens at 5pm which I find particularly amusing.

Kalymnos in October is rather crowded as a result of numerous climbing camps and the North Face climbing festival around the corner. Although the crags are busier it has been awesome meeting many people from different countries as well as many fellow Candians. What's really cool about the crags here is that lots of the sectors grades are really diverse. I was working my way up a 7c+ at the Odessey wall only to look over and find Magnus Mitboe working on his 8c+ project a few lines left and down from him there were others working their 6b+ routes. Everyone here is just having fun and getting super inspired no matter what grade they climb.

We still have another week and a half left here which is prefect for us as we all have either some unfinished business to attend to or want to try a few more inspiring lines. Sara is getting as close as close can be on Daniboy (8a) , Andrew is wanting to get on Racomello (8b) and I want to try a steep pocketed line called Labyrinth (8b) at the Jurassic Park sector.

As far as what is next, we are flying to Espana to tour around Barcelona for a few days then we are off to Rodellar and Siruana to crush some hard routes :) and eat some Pallella!

Anyways that's all for now friends...another update to come once we get a taste of some Spanish rock.

Thanks for reading,

Becca :)

P.s sorry for no pictures...they wouldn't upload