Ice Climbing in the Netherlands

Unsusual, but nevertheless possible; ice climbing below sea level. In the little town Bodegraven Thomas Knoope biuld a cunning construction on which he let water trickle down. Cooled with a set of copper pipes the water made beautiful steep ice, no less than 11 m high.

Stalagtites, a little overhang and perfect ice ("plastic") and even a barn in which to take a little shelter for the wind. For the first time I climbed leashless with the Black Diamond Fusions (thanx Tim!) World class hardware :))

I hereby thank Thomas again for his hospitality and generous way he let's everybody climb at his premises for free.

A week after I climbed there the (!) Dutch Ice Climbing Competition took place.

ART - Intricate carvings from used books

Ever thought about what will happen with all those books when discarded or put away in cartboxes at the attic? French Canadian artist Guy Laramée did. Based out of Montréal, Laramée is a multidisciplinary artist, writer, director, composer and anthropologist.

He uses books to create intricate fine carvings of the most elaborate landscapes. 3D views of well known places like the grand canyon or the rock temples of Petra. Both as artist as well as from philosophic point of view he presents the books as natural material showing nature's denudation. Nature becomes art and art show's nature's decay, the hardcopy books might 'denudate' into the flatland of e-books.

Urban Environmental Innovation - 2100.nu

In one year citizens and companies in the urban area Østerbro in Copenhagen, Denmark have reduced a lot of CO2 and created green innovation. See the remarkable results and get inspired to do something in your own city or urban area!

The best thing however is the common sense of awareness and urgency they have created! There are a lot of ideas and methods of reducing the human inpact on the environment. The hardest part though is to mobilize people to act on a larger scale than one houshold. This initiative has reached that goal, which I think is far more important at this stage than reaching a very respectable 10% recuction of CO2.

(zourze: 2100.nu)

Brillant gig by the band Pickwick from Seattle. Reminds me of music from..., yeah what?? Just listen en make up your own mind.

Live From The Basement - Pickwick (bonus track) from Sound on the Sound on Vimeo.

FieldCandy Tent - Customize your tent

If you want to stand out against the mediocre and boring tents around you on a festival you can order your own print on your tent.

Through a two-year development process, Jersey, UK-based FieldCandy has created something never seen before. They selected a group of 20 or so artists and designers – photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, branding and advertising designers – to create designs that were then transferred to the ultra-light, waterproof flysheet that covers the two-person tent.

Only twitch: they're not cheap, ranging from 340 to 1.100 dollars....

(Zourze: thecoolhunter.com)

Ned Feehally - Bouldering Highball Samson - Burbage

Ned Feehally has repeated Samson at Burbage South. The route (or highball boulder problem) breaks left from the classic offwidth of Goliath. Ned soloed the route above bouldering mats and his ascent is thought to be the fourth overall.

First climbed by Jerry Moffatt in 1997 and graded E9 7b, it has since been regraded at E6 7a, however the E grade is fairly meaningless on this desperate but short route-come-boulder problem. The boulder grade is thought to be highball 8A.

Life On Hold - Samson Preview from Outcrop Films on Vimeo.

(zourze: thelowdown)

Punks in the Gym - Footage

Smitten: Punks in the Gym (5.13d/14.a) from Rock & Ice on Vimeo.

Ascent bij Australian climbers Jarmila Tyrril and Zac Vertrees in the testpiece of Wolfgang Güllich. Punks in the Gym was established by Wolfgang Gullich in 1985. At the time, this was the hardest route in the world at a debatable grade of 5.13d or 5.14a. I've seen the rock and felt the impossible-to-hold-holds the route contains of. It's magnificent colours and surroundings add to the entourage of it all.

By the way, this video is a sneak-peek segment from the new Australian climbing film SMITTEN. For more info on the movie and how to purchase it, visit smittenthemovie.com.au.

(zourze: rock&ice.com)

Dutchie Jorg Verhoeven climbs 9A - Video report

Pure Imagination 5.14d (9a) from jorg verhoeven on Vimeo.

Jorg Verhoeven, the climbing Dutchie, Climbs his fourth 9A (5.14d) Pure Imagination in the USA. Coincidence (or not), it is captured on Video, which is a rare occasion! Even more weird is the skip in the footage at 4.45minutes. What happened there?

(Zourze: bladoverklimmen.nl)

Tourboarding in the "old" days

It was back in 2004 and I just bougth a second hand splitboard. The idea was to go up to Plan de Aiguille, do some ice climbing and board down the Glacier. It turned out not to be the right place to board... To much icy slopes and to much kilo's on the back.
After a very cold night we made it down to Chamonix in one piece. I prefer Powpow !!

The Hulk - Peter Croft mentors Lisa Rands on Venturi Effect 5.12+

Climbing legend Peter Croft mentors boulderer Lisa Rands on the finer points of alpine free climbing during an ascent of Venturi Effect, Croft's spectacular route on The Incredible Hulk, in California's Sierra Nevada. This is the second installment in the Origins series, presented by Evolv shoes with The North Face and Mountain Gear. Featured on the 2010 REEL ROCK Film Tour DVD and HD Download. www.bigupproductions.com. www.senderfilms.com.

This is awesome footage !! Watch and feel the urge to become green yourself :))

(zourze: bigupproductions.com)

Adam Ondra Bouldering Terranova 8C+

Adam's hardest boulder until now, Terranova 8C+ stands for difficulty and "not for the most beautiful, exposed line in the world." he says. Although the different sections of the 16 move boulder have different grades he stil classifies is as a 8C+. Let the reapeats begin and see what others make of it.

(zourze: CzechClimbing.com)

Cartoon Rock Climbing - Deepzly Motivated

It's an 'oldie' but ever so funny still. Made by the one and only Dutch Climbing Cartoonist Mike Meijnhard. Others will follow, so stay tuned!
(source: with curtacy of Mike Meijnhard)

Ice Climbing World Cup 2012 Trailer

It's not winter yet in the Netherlands but instead an Ice Climbing a Dutch Drytool event has been held (see pic below made by Menno Boermans). Dennis van Hoek won the contest, and no surprise here since he is the leading ice climber in the Netherlands.

For the real thing on ice see the video above (funny similarity in pose of the climber in the picture below :))http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif



(source: Menno Boermans Photography, Dennis van Hoek)

Pixar animation - Pigeon Impossible

This animation was new for me ! Funny spoof of Mission Impossible.

Back in Bleau Bouldering

Some pic of me in Bleau last time. All pictures were taken by Tim v/d Linden. Thanks mate, it was good to be back!!

Biggest Hoisting Crane of Europe

This hoisting crane currently operates at the project of Rotterdam Central District, an urban development at the hart of the Port City of the Netherlands. It's being used to assemble the steel constructions which will later become the immense roof of the multi-user public transport station in Rotterdam.

The Liebherr 1750 stands 80 meters high and has a span of 150 meters, thus being the largest hoisting crane in Europe. It needed fifty lorries to bring toghether all te components of the Liebherr. A special fundament was made consisting of 70 concrete poles to carry and spread the weight.

Bleau Bouldering Busdriving - Camper Crashpad Crimp

plus

makes

Let's go for bleau!!

(this is me a long time ago)

ReUse - ReCycle - ReInvent

Rotterdam has a atelier/workshop where ordinary objects are given a second life; the re-use and re-invention of products. Beautiful products which some I would like to give a place in my house as well. Well.... besides the bycicle that is :)) Recycling with a touch of art and urban feeling, or as they describe it themself: Studio HeStudio Hergebruik / Re-use Studio displays work by artists and designers from all creative disciplines that focus on re-use and recycling of materials or concepts.Numerous functions are combined. Besides premises for a shop, gallerie and conferences, workspaces for educational activities have also been designed. Designers often make use of our facilities when developing prototypes. All areas of Studio Hergebruik are open to the public.Workshops, lectures and masterclasses are held in conjunction with vocational and higher education institutions.

(source: studiohergebruik.nl)

Spectacular pictures inside Glaciers (E.Ruth)

Woah, spectacular photos from inside a glacier. This must be a stunning place to go ice climbing!! See for yourself, Njoy.

(source: stumbleupon.com)

New Trad Climbing Gear - Helium Friends Wild Country

It's been a while since I have been trad climbing, but one of my best feats in trad climbing was topping the famous Oceano Irrationale in Val di Mello, Italy. Never have been in such a demanding route (for me that is :)) and enjoying the crag climbing at the same time.

The older cams of Wild Country have been my 'friends' for a long time since but the newest ones seem to be mor flexible in material as well as in range:

HELIUM FRIEND ESSENTIALS Up to 6% lighter per unit.
Up to 20% more range per cam. Bigger overlaps with adjacent cams. Bigger overlaps with alternate cams. Longer reach and deeper placements. Smoother triggering. Nine cams will be available.

HELIUM FRIEND NEW FEATURESNew:
Hot Forged Cam Head, Thumb Loop Trigger,m Moulded Thumb GripSprings, Trigger Stop, Stem Cover, Size Label, Low Profile Riveting, 12mm Dyneema Sling, Short Termination

(source: planetfear.com)