Bouldering in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park. It's amazing how much rock there is that seems to be still untouched – despite the glorious climbing history o Yosemite. Here we are on a mission to find new lines in the Boulder field. This one looked much promising – bit of a highball. My onsight attempt failed due to poor rock conditions on the top out. Too much lichen and eventually crumbly rock made me down climb this! As a climber it is an important skill to learn when to back up – reasons could be different! This one was obvious. Put away your ego! Come back another time, clean the rock, make it safe, get stronger!! The BEAUTY: the rock will most likely be still there in our life time. You can measure your performance on an individual peace of rock for your lifetime. Can't wait to go back! Yosemite season around the corner. Climb safe and see you out there!

Bouldering in Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park. It's amazing how much rock there is that seems to be still untouched - despite the glorious climbing history o Yosemite. Here we are on a mission to find new lines in the Boulder field. This one looked much promising - bit of a highball. My onsight attempt failed due to poor rock conditions on the top out. Too much lichen and eventually crumbly rock made me down climb this! As a climber it is an important skill to learn when to back up - reasons could be different! This one was obvious. Put away your ego! Come back another time, clean the rock, make it safe, get stronger!! The BEAUTY: the rock will most likely be still there in our life time. You can measure your performance on an individual peace of rock for your lifetime. Can't wait to go back! Yosemite season around the corner. Climb safe and see you out there!

Black Forest gneiss! Here, 7 years ago on a first ascent near Freiburg, Germany. This one shows a "FLAG" move. A flag means that you extremely point one of your legs into one direction while your "flagged" foot is dangling with no foothold. There are two main benefits related to the flag that help you to smoothly reach the top:1. Extended reach! Pointing your right leg to the left will automatically extend your right arm's reach (see pic) or vice versa pointing your left leg to the right extends your left arm's reach.2. Avoid "barn dooring"/ adjust weight balance. A "barn door" pulls you off the wall due to an imbalance – often it is the weight of your leg that needs to be "flagged" so it cannot pull you away from the wall!Most situations require an "outside" flag where your "flagged" leg is either underneath your other leg or behind.A more advanced variation of the flag is the "inside" flag which means that your "flagged" leg crosses through your other leg. This move brings your foot and toes very close to the wall which eventually allows you to push them against the wall which again increases your reach!Show your flag! And see you out on the rocks.

Black Forest gneiss! Here, 7 years ago on a first ascent near Freiburg, Germany. This one shows a "FLAG" move. A flag means that you extremely point one of your legs into one direction while your "flagged" foot is dangling with no foothold. There are two main benefits related to the flag that help you to smoothly reach the top:1. Extended reach! Pointing your right leg to the left will automatically extend your right arm's reach (see pic) or vice versa pointing your left leg to the right extends your left arm's reach.2. Avoid "barn dooring"/ adjust weight balance. A "barn door" pulls you off the wall due to an imbalance - often it is the weight of your leg that needs to be "flagged" so it cannot pull you away from the wall!Most situations require an "outside" flag where your "flagged" leg is either underneath your other leg or behind.A more advanced variation of the flag is the "inside" flag which means that your "flagged" leg crosses through your other leg. This move brings your foot and toes very close to the wall which eventually allows you to push them against the wall which again increases your reach!Show your flag! And see you out on the rocks.

Rock climbing in "Valle Azteca", Baja California. This small climbing area is just north of Ensenada throning above the small village of "la Mìsion". From the border in San Diego its about a 45min. drive. My guess that there are about 50 climbs with a few high quality lines. This one might be the best (and interestingly also the hardest) climb of the area – "Montezuma", 5.12a. Great session at last sun light. #rockclimbing #mexico #bajacalifornia #bajaproject #ensenada #lamision #leadclimbing #sportclimbing #klimmen #klettern #explore #escalada #sandiego #climb #climbing #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climb

Rock climbing in "Valle Azteca", Baja California. This small climbing area is just north of Ensenada throning above the small village of "la Mìsion". From the border in San Diego its about a 45min. drive. My guess that there are about 50 climbs with a few high quality lines. This one might be the best (and interestingly also the hardest) climb of the area - "Montezuma", 5.12a. Great session at last sun light. #rockclimbing #mexico #bajacalifornia #bajaproject #ensenada #lamision #leadclimbing #sportclimbing #klimmen #klettern #explore #escalada #sandiego #climb #climbing #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #climb

100% trust in the rope system! Ropes ain't braking, bolts are not blowing out, routes are not overhanging and climbing in fact can be very RELAXING! For first timers, trusting the rope is a big deal! Yes! At that moment when you lean back your LIFE is dependent on the safety system which is pretty much: your rope, your harness, carabiners and your partner on the ground. Once you feel comfortable the world is yours! Here Finn in action feeling safe and comfortable! Lowered just as easy and smooth like German homeboy! @finnbredenberg #klettern #kalifornien #joshuatree #nationalpark #rockclimbing #epicdays

100% trust in the rope system! Ropes ain't braking, bolts are not blowing out, routes are not overhanging and climbing in fact can be very RELAXING! For first timers, trusting the rope is a big deal! Yes! At that moment when you lean back your LIFE is dependent on the safety system which is pretty much: your rope, your harness, carabiners and your partner on the ground. Once you feel comfortable the world is yours! Here Finn in action feeling safe and comfortable! Lowered just as easy and smooth like German homeboy! @finnbredenberg #klettern #kalifornien #joshuatree #nationalpark #rockclimbing #epicdays

Sport climbing in Joshua Tree National Park!It almost sounds paradox since the JTree is rather well known for full on #tradclimbing style routes! However, sport climbing exists and this one is a sweet line fully protected by bolts.Climbers distinguish between these two styles: #sportclimbing vs. trad climbing.Sport #climbing means: the sole use of bolts for protection.Trad climbing means: using natural features such as, cracks, rock tie-offs, trees and boulders for protection.Advantages of #sport climbing: – more focus on technical climbing moves rather than focussing on placing #gear. That is why climbers often push their difficulty #limit on "sport climbs". – no "bad gear" (as long as bolts are placed correctly and in good condition). Sport climbs are usually well equipped with a safe distance from bolt to next bolt = no #runout – less mental stress due to no "bad gear". In sport climbing you are usually not worried that a #bolt will come out – great for beginner #leadclimbing because clipping bolts is easier to applyAdvantages of Trad-climbing: – all gear is removable and barely leaves any visible traces on the rock. Very popular trad routes still have "rock scars/friction grooves" due to extensive placing and removing of gear. It is much less visible compared to bolts placed on rock – increased #freedom in climbing! If you know how to use #tradgear your perspective on #rockclimbing will #change. A lot of the trad routes in the #USA are long and high #quality routes with continuous climbing for many hours or even days. – more freedom/creativity in placing your gear! Often you have multiple opportunities to place gear on a trad route and its up to you to pick where and how you protect yourself. This also gives you a great feeling of having more control over your actions and safety while climbing.Rock climbing is a diverse sport with many styles disciplines. Find yours and keep exploring!

Sport climbing in Joshua Tree National Park!It almost sounds paradox since the JTree is rather well known for full on #tradclimbing style routes! However, sport climbing exists and this one is a sweet line fully protected by bolts.Climbers distinguish between these two styles: #sportclimbing vs. trad climbing.Sport #climbing means: the sole use of bolts for protection.Trad climbing means: using natural features such as, cracks, rock tie-offs, trees and boulders for protection.Advantages of #sport climbing: - more focus on technical climbing moves rather than focussing on placing #gear. That is why climbers often push their difficulty #limit on "sport climbs". - no "bad gear" (as long as bolts are placed correctly and in good condition). Sport climbs are usually well equipped with a safe distance from bolt to next bolt = no #runout - less mental stress due to no "bad gear". In sport climbing you are usually not worried that a #bolt will come out - great for beginner #leadclimbing because clipping bolts is easier to applyAdvantages of Trad-climbing: - all gear is removable and barely leaves any visible traces on the rock. Very popular trad routes still have "rock scars/friction grooves" due to extensive placing and removing of gear. It is much less visible compared to bolts placed on rock - increased #freedom in climbing! If you know how to use #tradgear your perspective on #rockclimbing will #change. A lot of the trad routes in the #USA are long and high #quality routes with continuous climbing for many hours or even days. - more freedom/creativity in placing your gear! Often you have multiple opportunities to place gear on a trad route and its up to you to pick where and how you protect yourself. This also gives you a great feeling of having more control over your actions and safety while climbing.Rock climbing is a diverse sport with many styles disciplines. Find yours and keep exploring!

On belay!Do not underestimate the importance of a solid, confident belay! A good belayer always has an eye on the climber and is ready to adjust tension or slack at any time while maintaining at least one hand (usually the stronger one) on the brake rope. In climbing there is a big difference between lead belaying and top rope belaying! Lead belaying is a more advanced technique because adjustments may be more abrupt and consequences of a fall may be more severe! Force and distance of a falling lead climber is much higher than force and distance of a slipping top rope climber.

On belay!Do not underestimate the importance of a solid, confident belay! A good belayer always has an eye on the climber and is ready to adjust tension or slack at any time while maintaining at least one hand (usually the stronger one) on the brake rope. In climbing there is a big difference between lead belaying and top rope belaying! Lead belaying is a more advanced technique because adjustments may be more abrupt and consequences of a fall may be more severe! Force and distance of a falling lead climber is much higher than force and distance of a slipping top rope climber.