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Climbing

Tarn x Jonte: A climbers playground

Beautiful landscape, stunning limestone features and routes from single pitch to 200 meters in a very compact area that is easy to reach: The basic data is very promising indeed and our multi day exploration has confirmed these valleys to be worth returning visits indeed.

vanlife

Ariège: A somewhat hidden gem in the French Pyrenees

Having already spent quite some time in the Spanish Pyrenees and other parts of the French side of this range, our travels brought us into the Ariége valley for about a week in the late summer. What we found was a climbers and cyclist paradise that at least we did not have on top of our list.

Climbing

Endless seas of alpine granite on Dent d´Orlu

Sitting at the very end of the Ariege valley in the French Pyrenees the Dent d´Orlu is best known for its striking silhouette and its monster 1000m+ routes. However we were not out for a multi day climb and chose the less intimidating 11 pitch Tapas sans Dalle for our first outing on this mountain.

Tips and tricks

How to Road Trip in Norway

Having to leave our trusty van behind in Spain we set out to explore the Fjords and Fjells by car and on foot. The goal was to see as much as possible in 10 days and not spend a fortune doing it.

Hiking

A perfect day out on the Besseggen Ridge

I mostly tend to stay away from hikes that do not include at least some scrambling and also those that draw big crowds. However after my own research and a personal recommendation I had to check out this ridge cutting through mountains and lakes.

vanlife

A perfect slice of Spain

Picturesque sun baked houses on a backdrop of beautiful steep mountains combined with the possibility to take deep dives into the culture and history of the „real“ Spain. That what awaits!

Hiking

High above the wildest of Norway on the Romsdalen Ridge

While all of the Fjord lands of Norway are stunning, the area around Åndalsnes is of special rugged beauty. The walls here rise almost 1500 meters straight from the sea and the Romsdalen ridge cuts through the area. From my experience the hike along it has some of the best views in all of Europe.

Tips and tricks

Review Patagonia Nanopuff Vest

Light and packable piece of synthetic isolation that works very well as a layering piece for all kinds of outdoor activities - and not too technical looking for an everyday item as well.

Tips and tricks

Review Black Diamond Hotforge Hybrid Quickdraws

No fuss, okay weight, reasonably priced sport climbing quickdraws that do their job quitely day in and day out. Solid gates at the wall side and wire gates at the rope side.

Climbing

Getting slabbed around in La Pedriza

After quite a few successful multi pitch climbs on Mallorca Toby and I decided to try our luck on the granite slabs and cracks of La Pedriza north of Madrid. What followed was a week of hard work, run outs, being put in our place - and good memories.

Climbing

The Climber

A short story about the subjective experience of climbing.

Climbing

The Southern France Ramble

What was planned as a quick drive-by meetup between Martin, Brigitte and I on our respective ways north and south in France turned into a almost weeklong raid through the climbing areas and backroads of Cevennes and Ventoux regions.

Climbing

In the land of vultures and limestone: Climbing in the Spanish outer Pyrenees

After our great trip to the ranges of the Costa Blanca the year before we chose another region of Spain for this year's adventure and added two more players to the team - and we were welcomed with stunning landscape, great rock and perfect weather.

Cycling

The Zip Tie Express and its entourage

Take four climbers, put them on (and in) bikes, point them towards the Tramuntana mountains, add the special sauce of this being a test for Sebastians handbike creation and see what happens: That was the plan for this two day round trip on Mallorca.

Tips and tricks

Review Decathlon Forclaz MT500 pants

In summary, a super robust set of hiking pants with five pockets that come in at a very reasonable price - if you are willing to buy from a discount clothing company (and live with all the baggage related to that).

Mallorca Adventure Guide

Multipitch: Via Directa des Pilar on El Paredon / Puig Major

Quick info * A straight and proud line on the right and side of the Paredon wall that goes right to the top. * Never really easy and with some distinct crux pitches. Less sustained than La Comon but harder than Socuellamos. * Long mildly technical scrambling descend or steeper scramble and walk

Tips and tricks

Review Kapitän Ohlsen solid shaving gel

A good alternative to big name brand products that gets points for being locally produced and almost wastefree. Being solid rather than liquid also helps while traveling - be it in planes or any other way.

Hiking

The Sa Mola quarry in Felanitx

This website talks about the natural beauty of Mallorca all the time but even I must admit sometimes artificial places can be really interesting. The abandoned rock quarry Sa Mola in Felanitx is one of those weird and at times slightly creepy lost places.

Tips and tricks

Review Petzl Sama climbing harness

A do it all harness that works very well and is reasonably priced - those were my criteria when I bought my first “good” harness. After some looking around I found what I searched for in the Petzl Sama - and I have bought a second one after wearing down in three years of heavy use.

Tips and tricks

Review Patagonia Houdini jacket

This is one of the items of clothing that surprised me with how often I do use it. The idea was to have a windproof layer for outdoor activities that does not take up space in a pack but it turns out I carry this thing almost all the time: From multi pitch climbing to a walk around town.

Climbing

The multi pitch lines of Paret dels Coloms on Mallorca

While the bigger lines in the area are all in the Sa Gubia Cirque the sheer of Paret dels Coloms on the opposite side of the valley has some impressive and unique medium length lines on offer.

Mallorca Adventure Guide

Multipitch: Via Socuellamos on El Paredon / Puig Major

Quick info * The classic line on the crown jewel of a wall that is El Paredon (Puig Major). * A mix of harder, steeper pitches in the beginning with a traverse to an easy finish as the second part of the route. * Long mildly technical scrambling descend or steeper scramble and

Climbing

A loop around the Sa Gubia Cirque

The walls of Sa Gubia are THE playground for anyone who is looking for sport bolted multipitch lines on the island of Mallorca. Medium to hard climbing on solid rock in a beautiful Cirque that feels wild and exposed makes you want to come back here again and again.

Mallorca Adventure Guide

Scramble: Galatzo East Face

Quick info * An alternative and more adventurous way to reach the top of Puig de Galatzo, one of the premier hiking peaks of the island * Light scrambling with some exposure * Can be combined with the climb of the Agulla de Forcada (el Bispe) General The popular hiking peak of the

Mallorca Adventure Guide

Multipitch: Agulla Forcada „El Bispe“ / Galatzo

Quick info * Very aesthetic rock tower in a beautiful mountainous setting. * 3 pitches / 105 meters * 5a / 5c / 4b * Trad protection / only some fixed gear at belays and rappel stations * Descent via rappel two short or one longer rappel * Additional variantes and routes on the same tower (up to 5 additional