Coup de Grace 🧘♂️ Swiss 🇨🇭 report pt 5
Close attempt from today! Made it twice past the rest today for the first time after a week off and not much climbing. This was a good confidence booster for the last part of the process.
Never thought i'd get so psyched on a sport route but this line is amazing and so much fun to climb on. Basically just as massive boulder with very varied movement and holds. @dave_graham_ lines never disappoint🔥
With the heat of the last weeks, it's been a fun change of pace and mindset compared to bouldering.
Starting from zero endurance was tough but it's rewarding to see the gains after a week worth of sessions. Flow starts to feel present, links come together and pumped forearm dips in the cold river never felt so nice.
Slowly making it higher on the route every try, more milelage on the moves and a better feeling is making me psyched for the next session.
Big thanks to the real G @denzeldemeyer for driving two hours from magic wood tot belay and chill 🙇
@desteenuil.klimwinkel@stone.owl.climbing@klimzaalblok
Eye in the Sky✅ + Swiss🇨🇭 report pt 4
Couple of weeks ago I managed to repeat Eye in the Sky, a beautiful line from @giuliano_cameroni high above San Carlo. The rock around this part of Bavona is world class and that sloper is by far the most beautiful and interesting hold I've ever climbed on.
Right after finishing Embrace Gravity, I went straight to Eye to check the moves. First session was short but promising. On the second session I easily did the whole crux sequence to the top twice. I was suprised how well I moved on and around the sloper. Gave a few tries from the start but the rain and snow soon put the session to a stop.
Few days later I got even closer but kept slipping on the sloper. @dave_graham_ showed up, explained his method and some details and I gave it some tries but I felt horrible with this method.
Right after, the weather changed; it got a lot colder with a brutal north wind. I kept on trying but the dry air made the holds and my skin glassy as fuck and suddenly I felt like a beginner again. Two shit sessions went nu and I decided to try one more session in this weather, I could always wait on warmer conditions in order to move better.
I put a lot of cream on my fingers the night before and hoped for the best.
I warmed up on the upper part and fucked my hamstring and knee again so couldn't practice that part anymore. Started trying daves method again and to my surprise it worked out of nowhere. I analysed the pros of this method, repeated it once and waited.
One random try it stuck the sloper, cut loose way too hard, somehow held on, put my feet back on, crossed on the sloper and just kept on climbing. Suddenly I was standing on the slab, absolutely numb. I had to rest three minutes before actually topping out, my fingers couldn't feel anything.
This is by far my most random and unexpected send of my climbing career so far. Insane how things end up coming together sometimes.
Currently, spring hit bavona HARD and it's been crazy hot. It's been beautiful to see the valley change, colour appearing on the trees and afternoon river dips.
Life is good here 🙇❤️
@stone.owl.climbing@desteenuil.klimwinkel@klimzaalblok
Embrace Gravity 💎✅ + Swiss report pt. 3
Psyched to have finally finished @kimmarschner 'Embace Gravity' after two weeks of going back and forth between methods, 3 days of snow and a lot of doubt and frustration.
This boulder, like most hard climbs in bavona, is quite long but only consisting of 2 hard moves, with at least 4 different options to solve the crux. Projecting boulders in this style can be hard on your mind, even after finding a beta that works, you can easily doubt yourself and spend/lose time trying another way.
After a week I was 99% sure which method to use and it started to feel easy in isolation. Somehow adding that easy start that i could almost do with my eyes closed proved more difficult then expected!
I'm happy I didn't give up, stayed focused and kept on showing up. It's hard to keep up with this rhythm when you can't see the finish line but feeling back in the groove after this war! Thanks to the new buddy Tim for spending many sessions with me and showing me some amazing Bavona boulders 🙇
One boulder at a time🔥
After sending Embrace quite early in the day, I headed up directly to "Eye in the Sky", a boulder i've been very eager to try! First three sessions were amazing and so rewarding! Came close a few times already before another snow storm and the cold rolled in. One more day of insane wind gust (trees falling down, avalanche risk etc) and it's time to go back.
Thankfull to be able to spend a full season here, trying sick boulders without any time limit or stress.
I've met many wonderful people along the way, had friends visit, sharing sessions, psych and more google maps location pins then you can believe.
I can feel a level up incoming soooooon💪
@klimzaalblok@stone.owl.climbing@desteenuil.klimwinkel@rafikiclimbing
Dark Passenger 💎✅ + 🇨🇭 report part 2:
What a line! Instantly obsessed when I first stood before it. Tall, logical line, interesting holds and great rock quality.
Found myself in a similar situation (again) where a spotter or more pads would have been nice but the desire to keep on climbing was unstoppable. Put trust in the flow and just kept going. Massive respect to @dawoods89 for establishing this line 🙇
Spend most of my time lately in val bavona exploring the valley and all it's awesome boulders. Enough stuff to do here for a few lifetimes. One line that got me really psyched is Embrace Gravity from @kimmarschner . Amazing overhang, lot's of different ways to do the crux. Got really close dry firing just after the crux.
Most boulders here are tall/long but essentially come down to 1 of 2 really hard moves. It makes projecting hard (for me) as you don't "gain" much flow in the boulder and requires a longer time to work through crux sequences or a good amount or luck (or both).
Would have loved to finish this one before the storm but i'm sitting out the rain and snow, taking a rest and ready for war after the weekend🔥
It's been great to dig deep again in the project-process and to get consumed in the rhythm.
First 🇨🇭 report.
First two sessions on Alphane were great. It was a good confidence booster after the training of the past month. After that, the weather turned and i moved to some other projects. Unfortunately I tweaked my back and it's taking longer then expected before I can climb without pain. I had two more short sessions on Alphane, both being amongst the worst sessions i've had so far. I decided I needed a break and give my back some rest. Mentally this boulder is giving me a hard time as well. I realise I might never do it but I have a clear vision of myself moving between the holds, a rhythm of showing up every day and really putting in time and effort. When that vision doesn't seem to come closer, your mind starts playing tricks on you.
I had some good sessions and feelings on other boulders this week and it reminded me of how I used to experience the projects-process in bouldering.
The last 24h i've spend every minute hesitating between continuing with the fun and visiting some other boulders while giving my back more time to heal or just go back to Alphane, keep putting in time, pottentially losing my mind and fun
I decided to spend a few days in Bavona on other boulders that are high in the list but my mind will be partially somewhere else. I guess that's a good thing and proves the desire to keep going is still in me.
This trip is proving to become a good adventure and i'm curious where it will lead me.
Big love to all of you for helping to find physio's, exercises or sending get well wishes, means a lot ❤️.
Let's keep going 🔥
Belgian Championship 2026🥉
What a way to return, 10 years after my last national competition!
I enjoyed it so much it made me wonder why I quit in the first place. I could feel the energy and support of the crowd in every boulder, @klimzaalblok ❤️ is one of a kind and they know how you bring the vibes!
I had no expectations of really performing and definitely didn't imagine myself in finals. I've been setting for every one of these climbers for the last few years and their determination and grind is on another level. It was an honour to share the stage with everyone of you🙇
Massive thanks to the whole routesetting crew, judges organisers for putting up an amazing event!
Leaving for 🇨🇭 on such a high adrenaline moment and where i felt surrounded and supported by so many friends feels a bit weird and i'll remember all the feelings of this weekend for a long time! I'm gonna miss you guys❤️ see you in 4 months🫡
LET'S GET TO WORK!🔥
📸 by the amazingly talented @tdebelle@ashwin_callahan@louca.depauw1
🎥favorite boulder @elizatheonlyone
1 week left before spending 4months in 🇨🇭.
I'm normally not someone to look back much on the past, let alone new year's post or anything like that. The future is already happening and going back to the past can only trap your mind there.
But it's easier said than done. 2025 will forever be the year of change and i'm happy (now) that i went through all that shit because it made me more present, resilient and ignited the fire.
In march I experienced my lowest moments. I let go of my goal to go to war with Alphane that year and let my mind heal in Fontainebleau. The realisation that I wouldn't get my chance hit me harder than i'd like to admit or expected.
I felt burnt out for a while and didn't really know what direction i wanted climbing to take in my life.
In august I started training with @tonioclimbing and @simonlorenzi from @bushidoclimbing and it was the most positive shift in motivation i've ever experienced. Training made me psyched. I let it fully consume me. It felt like a relief to be only driven by one goal and to prioritise that over everything else.
Looking back (oops) on those 6 months, i'm extremely proud of what we have accomplished.
I have never been in a better shape in my life and it's time for my mind to continue the rest of the battle, my body is ready.
It was also the perfect moment to take better care of my body. I started eating healthier, payed attention (failing every now and then) to my sleep pattern, woke up early to strech and started running again. Every little effort I made felt like a win and slowly discipline turned into healthy habits.
Aside from the physical side, I also contacted my friend Martin aka @swizzybouldering from swizzy coaching from who i could learn a lot about the mental state, long term projects and tactic's. Every call i picked up something new and i started to understand my mind better. I'm here to climb lines that inspire me in any way and not a second of working on or towards that goal is time lost.
Continued in comments
Carbonated clam chowder 8B ✅
Finally. What started as a mini distraction project turned into a 10 sessions journey. After session 6 I was sure every try would be the one but it took some more time. Who's paying for my trip to Colorado to try Defying Gravity real quick?
Thanks @bushidoclimbing for leveling up. Deload week done now, let's get this shit started🔥
🎥@mathijsvangorp 🙇
Alphane trip 3.5
Short trip to 🇨🇭 to check the shape, figure out some details and enjoy climbing on some hard lines.
Did two sessions on Alphane, the first one being my best session ever! Completely switched beta for the middle part and it worked fantastic straight away. I always thought I didn't have the core of control for the sequence so it was a nice suprise to be proven wrong.
Finally felt solid on the dropknee as well and managed some good links already. The start still needs some work and understanding but i'm confident it will come.
Big thanks to @bushidoclimbing and @swizzybouldering for gettting me physically and mentally ready. This is only the beginning🔥
Thanks to @desteenuil.klimwinkel and @stone.owl.climbing for the fresh gear 👌
Thanks and ❤️ to @klimzaalblok for being the best place to train and support (and @redmonkeyrocks for covering for my shit when i'm gone 🙇)
Swipe all the way to the end for some laughs.
Back to training right now, few more months till the big trip, let's go harder than ever before🫡
@rafikiclimbing@kletterretter
Appreciation post for all the friends, setting crew's and gyms I got to work at the last 3 months. It's been busy to say the least but i've never felt more happy in my worklife. Long days, hard work, emotions and high quality above all.
This week, i've counted more hours setting then sleeping! After all that me and @redmonkeyrocks cooked up one hell of a compwall set at @klimzaalblok . Go and enjoy🔥
Every set had al different vision, different public and levels or purpose. Working with the most experienced athletes around, next generation talents of just explaining coordination moves to new climbers in the gym. I love it all❤️
Thanks 🙇 everyone for shared energy, ideas, vibes and the love. Always improving!
One more day in the best gym in the world, then a quick break to pull on some granite 🇨🇭
