BWC Hall

The first World Cup this year was on Friday in Hall. I was really exited to meet all the climbers again, to see all the problems and just taking part again. This year the number of competitors was the biggest ever around 50 females and over 80 males! I was a bit unlucky with my starting number because I had to climb 2nd to last. The qualification problems were not too hard but sometimes a bit awkward. I managed to climb 3 problems in 5 goes, but there was another problem I kept falling of the top, I just could not find the right way to do the move. I knew that I was not in my best shape because my finger injury troubled my training a bit , but I was very disappointed with my end position and I could not qualify for the semi final the first time in my world cup carrier.

La sportiva climbing festival

On Friday there was a big La sportive climbing Festival in Tivoli. There were 60 problems in total all around the walls from very easy to extremely hard. The festival was a big success with a lot of peoples entering and I really enjoyed climbing with good climbers. I manage to climb 40 problems.

Unfortunately I rested the rest of the weekend because a few weeks ago I injured one of my fingers and it those not seem to get any better and the three hours of intense bouldering did not help either. However I was really proud at Stew because on Sunday he managed to climb Brandy Tarte 8c+ in Niederthai. He is super strong in the moment.

First Boulder Comp this year.

On Friday we had the first round of the Austrian Boulder Cups this year. The Competition took place in Kitzbuehl. It felt strange to do a Comp after such a long Comp break. The Qualification round went good, I made a few silly mistakes and felt a bit out of practice. On Saturday was the semi-final and final. In the semi I climbed well but I messed up the final and ended in position 6. This Comp was very helpful to find my major mistakes I have to work on to improve my Comp results

Easter weekend in Swiss

On Easter Sunday morning Stew and I went to Chironico. The first stop was “Teamwork 8a”, a crimpy wall with a fairly high top-out. I was just my kind of problem and I climbed in a few attempts. Then it was off to “The great shark hunt 8a+” for Stew. We were unstoppable and after just 5 goes Stew climbed it and we went to Doctor Crimp 7c for me because some people told me that it would be flash able with good crimp strength and so I did. It went dark and our first day was over. On Easter Monday we went to the high part of Chironico where I had quite a long warm up and just bouldered around on some easier stuff. Finally I started to try “Les doigts verts 7c+”. Frustrated I had to leave empty handed but I managed to wire the start, just the last hard move did not want to happen. My skin said “Game Over”.

Birthday Party in Tumpen

First time back at Tumpen bloc this year on my birthday on Tuesday. Was shocked to see all the lines chalked up with big ticks all over the place. Stew and I went to check out some new lines. Found one line just under the path I have never noticed before. It was already cleaned and possibly climbed. The first move felt really hard and I needed quite a few attempts to get it wired but the rest was not too hard, so we graded it approx.7b+ and named it Mr. Undercover for the new topo. At the end of the day, I tried Stick it extension 8a and it felt good but long and very high! It feels good to have another nice personal project at Tumpen.

Brad Pitt 7c+

The few days in England have been really nice, the weather was brilliant and I had a good time. On Thursday Stew, Kathi (my little sister) and I flew from Innsbruck to Liverpool. We went shopping, cinema, had a Chinese meal and a lot of climbing. I particularly enjoyed our time in Stanage. On Friday the conditions were cold and sticky and we messed around the Plantation sector. I climbed Zippy’s Traverse 7b 4th go and Stew climbed the Joker 8a. Monday Stew wanted to go back to Stanage to try the Ace 8b but it was too hot for it, so I decided to have a play on Brad Pitt 7c+. I tried it once a few years ago but I could not make out how to do the first move, I remember that I always tried the move with my right had and just could not share the hold, so I left it. However, on Monday Dave Barrans, a friend of ours, told me how he climbs it and it seemed to work for me. After a few tries I sorted the first move perfectly than each go I got higher and higher and after a short break everything went really smooth and I just climbed it. It was unbelievable and I was pleased to have climbed this classic!!! Sadly, today we had to leave and went back to Austria. I hope to be back to the UK soon.

Update from the last month...

Well I was a busy girl the last month and had no real time to do some hard boulders or routes outside. Beside my job I am also taking part in a course to become a “Pilates Master Trainer” what takes up some time in the moment. Additionally I often go skiing or snowboarding whenever I have a day off because the snow is just awesome in the moment. However my training goes well too and I finished recently my first part of the specific strengthening training and will soon move onto the specific campus and explosive power training what is well needed at the moment because from the other training I feel strong but not fast and bouncy but for every bit there is the right time to train…. I am really looking forward to go back to England mid February for a short trip to catch up on friends and to see how things are and hopefully to climb on the grit.