Assistant Professor (UD)
Institute for Area Studies, Leiden University
2023. 8-9
SoCal summer
Not the best time to climb in SoCal, too hot. Had to chase the shade and high-elevation, but finally got time to project something and climb on non-limestone (i.e. lithified volcanic ash at Malibu Creek and grainy granite at Big Bear).
Redpointed King of the Castle 5.12a, which wouldn't happen without good belaytionship, including TRing it until all beta is figured out --might have overworked it (4 tries over 3 sessions before RP), but still helpful to minimize forceful/low chance moves.
Malibu Creek approach is still too far (45min), nearly heat stroke both days back-approach to the car. What are the aromatic small trees by Mt Gorgeous upper section? Not oleander.
2023.8.
Avalonia
Weekend to Avalonia (near Dortmund). Got topo from Daniel (beautifully hand-drawn topo and NOVELs), bought two main ones and took pics of the bigger picture books.
Managed to chill-boulder at Katla cave before the afternoon downpour, picked wild berries. Daniel walked around to show us variation problems (eliminates) and comforted us that in this humidity everything is harder.
Second day ran into a local stonesmith and did some easy boulders together, while friend projecting his thing.
2023.8
Freyr
The century-old most well-known crag in Belgium. Beautifully located by the river across chateaus. Rainy, only got half a day climbing in a 3-day trip.
Polished, grading below 6a is nuts. Grabbed the draw on a 5a. Guidebook reads (French and Dutch only) like a history book and lacks most information a topo needs. At least the approach (and beer) is not bad.
2023. 6. -7.
Sport climb in China
First time climbing outdoor in China.
2-days in Beijing amid 40c heatwave. Waterfall dried, wall/ground hot, borderline heatstroke (nauseous and headache), nice blocky granite but rubber sucks in the heat and feet swelled too fast.
2-days in Kunming, Yunnan. Super nice tufa climbing just like in Europe. Fantastic local climbers (and crazy driving techniques). One day on vertical tufa and one day in cave. The cave kicked my ass (as usual), first time to climbing in this triangle-shaped cave. Post-climb dinner/boba are enjoyable.
Met climber/route developer from 丽江 and it is now high on my to-do list.
2023. 6
Carriere des Awirs
A local crag near Liege, Belgium. 0-5min approach. Big S-facing slabs possible to mult-ipitch, Harder climbs in the back.
Very dirty rock, Le Sabier (that is a good route, solid at its grade, like other Belgian crags) indeed.
2023. 5
Geyikbayiri, Turkey
Less than 1-hr drive from Antalya. Peaceful village with gay goats and local farmer market with inexpensive local produce.
Standard limestone like Spain/Greece, new routes are being developed and topo available (only) at Flying Goat camp. A lot routes are equipped with perma-draws (at mid-point, crux, or all the way for roof) to encourage over-hang climbing or ease cleaning. Approach from 0-15minutes.
Ran into many Russian climbers, who fled the country since the war. Very grateful for their help during my little climbing accident/injury (oh yeah and the Antalya hospitals are GREAT).
2023. 5
Siurana
Back to Siurana in a surprisingly cold spring. Last year it was climbing in bras and this time belaying with big down jackets and trembling in the gust wind.
Tried "Siurana's softest 7a" La Morena del Monstant, 40m route consists of (boulder+ rest)*3. First time led it hangdogging due to the pump and scared by the exposed roof before the anchor. Felt bad.
Went back another day aiming to put up draws and try one more time. Turns out I only fell once while putting up draws, at the roof before anchor (because beta differs between clipping & putup draws and right hand forgot to leave room for left hand). Took a whip but called it a day without another try --Don't have to RP it just need to know that I don't suck.
2023.King's day
Berdorf
The only(?) crag in Luxemburg, and no wonder on a no-rainy(?) King's day weekend it sees too many Dutch. A small crag of roughly 150 routes with likely 400 climbers and 100 walkers/picnikers, Climbers get unhappy with long waiting lines for moderate routes.
Mossy damp sandstone, cracks filled with soil/leaves/mud.
Walked around the first day after the rain. Empty valley with birds, breeze, and few humans. Magic place.
2023 Easter
Finale Ligure
2nd time in Finale, still love it. But given Easter holiday, the village was full of (German) mountain bikers. Raining half of time, too.
Did another shorter seaside traverse per friend's ask, ran into a Jesus (or Santa Maria?) statue midway. Went back to Grotto dell' Odera but still couldn't send Prana 6c+, the crux was sharp, hard to rehearse on TR, had to take once at the crux, but the rest is ok.
Checked out the castle?fotress? overseeing the village in a rainy day. Found another roadside crag, Boragni.
2023.2
El Chorro
Winter climbing paradise in Andalucía (too hot sometimes). Approach 20-40 min but mostly flat. Sunny walls and nicely bolted.
Followed the Poema de Rocca 7a, likely greasiest 7a in the world, I will never be able to send it...... so many strong climbers in that cave.
Liked the Arab Stairs crags a lot. Picked a vertical 7a that looks like my style (technical with good rests) and luckily sent it in 4 tries. My first 7a: Hockey Night in Canada.
Stayed in Ardales with a very nice seafood restaurant. Visited El Camino del Rey. impressive.
2023. 11
El Potrero Chico
Expecting warm weather but it was cold as the Netherlands for the most part. Hotels (read as 农家乐) had zero insulation and trickle showers. Same breakfast everyday and pollo/ribs every dinner, Occasional trips to Monterey for Galbi boba and kimchi (Big Korean community there). Easy approach. Temporary crag doggie from the hotel.
Well bolted, friendly grade (inconsistent), good friction grey limestone. Did my first multi-pitches (2,4, 7 and 11?). Dropped a biner rapping in the dark. Onsighted a couple 11a.
2023. 10
Albarracin & Costa blanca
Joined ATu's group bouldering at Albarracin and then a bit sport climbing at Costa Blanca (Calpe). First outdoor trip after the surgery, limping.
Albarracin - Red frictional sandstone, sloppy holds/top-out (but lowball and nice landing). Weather varies a lot. Flashed a V3 maybe.
Costa Blanca - met a 60yr lady on FB who showed the way and belayed. She never fell in 35 yrs of climbing ! (only climbs 4 to 5- now). Tried a few classics like Tai-Chi and Tufa Grove by luck (a pickup truck drove us from the parking to the trailhead which saved 30min approach).
Also tried the Queen's Bath at Calpe, an ancient Roman archeological site by the beach. Water is cold.
2022. 1&4&5
Siurana
Finally touched real rock again after 7 months since the move from USA to Europe. Took a while (via unlikely channel) to find climbing partners. Finally got connected to Ayun at Siurana, so there I went.
January was sunny and cold, numb fingers. Climbed 6a/6b on vertical limestone, hear Adam Ondra screaming across valley.
April (Easter) was warm, everybody chased shade at Siuranella (iron cable stairs up). Onsighed my first 6b+(11a) and repointed a nice 6c. Great belayer makes a big difference. Saw Chris Sharma hanging at El Pati.
May again was warm, tried other Tarragona crags, less crowded (sometimes historic/sandbagged). Spent one day at Margalef and flashed a 6c and took once on a 6c+. Newbie friendly.
2022.2
Finale Ligure
First time climbing in Italy. Pretty beach town and medieval village overseen by a fortress. Climbed for 6 days in a row.
Rained a lot, hence spent a few days at the overhung amphitheater, a lot of historic, polished climbs. First day climbed in the rain and cold, had to retrieve draws the next day.
Checked out the famous Grotto dell-Odera. Climbed the 6b/6b+/6c+ left of entrance. Didn't go far on Lubna. Goat looking down on us from the top of wall.
First multipitch (traverse), 10-pitch easy traverse along the sea cliff, took 6 hours, mostly by sorting rope and path finding. Rope got wet, the second half should have been done without rope. Climbed from midday sun to sunset and moonlight. 海上生明月，天涯共此时。