Gear Guides
Gear guides, product tests, best for your buck, what gear in what situation, gear history and so on.
Backyard Spots
Because we do not need to go to Chamonix for doing alpinism, we can find pillows outside of Japan and there is good crack climbing way closer than in Utah.
Adventure Guides
Guides and tips for trips with a strong adventure taste. You will get on the mud. That’s the whole point, actually, but at least do it with some folk knowledge beforehand.
Meet the locals
Getting to meet the real badass outdoor men, the ones that keep us safe, the ones that know all the secrets about our environment and the ones that have most fun.
Progressing
Training, technique and lifestyle tips that will help us push further our game.
Welcome to On the belay
I have worked as the head of purchases of climbing and alpinism for EpicTV in Chamonix and I’ve had the opportunity to work hand by hand with the leading manufacturers in the industry. I have worked two years in Norway as an outdoor guide and i’ve spent quite some time in South America and Iceland. Elsewhere i’m generally around Northern Spain, where i am from, on the classic weekend warrior slash wanna be dirt bag life plan. Don’t get me wrong, i’m a pretty average outdoor man, so probably most of the things I will write about will be useful for the average guy that just wants to spend more time outside and progress.
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Climbing and Alpinism. EpicTV. 2015-2016
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Outdoor Guide
Activities
Latest news
New freeride tech bindings 2018/2019: Salomon Shift VS ultralight reinforced tech bindings.
A gear analisis but as well on how to apply it according to our terrain and ski modalities. When the first snow falls take place, when we witness the first touring excursions of the season in instagram, when you get home the catalogue from the main shops and the first flash sales and black friday Read more about New freeride tech bindings 2018/2019: Salomon Shift VS ultralight reinforced tech bindings.[…]
Mountain Hardwear Multi-pitch 16. The minimalist wall backpack redesigned.
Last season I did a cooperation with Mountain Hardwear for testing their Hueco 20 wall backpack. In fact we did not only go through the backpack but as well through the main criterias and tricks that you should consider when choosing a backpack for those long days on the wall. Multi pitch rock climbing backpack: Read more about Mountain Hardwear Multi-pitch 16. The minimalist wall backpack redesigned.[…]
Mountain Hardwear StretchDown DS: redesigning the concept of feathered insulated jacket.
If you have been following my adventures through the summer, you have probably seen me constantly with the new Mountain Hardwear StretchDown DS jacket. When I saw it for the first time this ISPO, it’s concept, fit and technology made an impact on me. It is incredibly eye catchy with it’s discontinuous panel welded technology. Read more about Mountain Hardwear StretchDown DS: redesigning the concept of feathered insulated jacket.[…]
Becoming a better climber II. Trad climbing: the good, the ugly and the grade.
There are big stereotypes in our sport regarding what it is to be a good climber and especially how to become one. I feel sorry every time I see young climbers in the gym tearing their tendons apart day after day on dynamic bouldery moves on crimps while talking about how sick it would be to one day do a multipitch route. Read more AboutBecoming a better climber II. Trad climbing: the good, the ugly and the grade.
Becoming a better climber. Training for becoming a trad climber?
Lately you’ve been writing me quite a lot about trad climbing and multi-pitch climbing, especially around how to get started, what is the base level that we should have, how to specifically train to feel confident in your leads…On the way that you write me, somehow I can sense that several of you presupone that you need an important baggage from the gym and under a certain training regime before you can even get to the base of a real mountain. Read more AboutBecoming a better climber. Training for becoming a trad climber?
The Tafjord Haute Route: exploration ski where eastern Norway meets the west.
After the longest and snowiest winter I could remember in addition to the great arctic ski trip, I was almost excited for hanging my skis until next year and rack all my trad gear for heading to the Norwegian Fjords and it’s oceans of granite. I guess I hadn’t figured out that not even on my second day here, Jens-Petter was already proposing me a last great expedition for ending the season properly. Well, I’m a simple man, so actually it didn’t took long before I was in. Read more AboutThe Tafjord Haute Route: exploration ski where eastern Norway meets the west.
Cueto Agero, South spur (300m; 6A+). Adventure climbing in la Hermida.
There had been now quite some time since I had in mind to do a powerful activity in one of the oceans of limestone of the Picos de Europa. I had a few routes in mind in the Naranjo, although it’s quite a complicated mountain. According to the schemes, it looks like one way or another you should probably top out, however, you hear quite often those stories about really strong rope parties having to turn back poorly after quite some drama. Ok, having some desperate fighting is always in the equation; there are not that many people that can afford to top such monsters on comfort, however, been able to choose, I rather take a bit less spicy for the beginning of the season.
Read more AboutCueto Agero, South spur (300m; 6A+). Adventure climbing in la Hermida.
Arctic days on the Planks EP4. Tamokdalen, Ice climbing, skiing with huskies and discovering Lyngen.
We were excited to drive to Nordkjosbotn and meet Aniek for our next adventure. However, as we made it quite early over there, we decided to go smash some Ice to fill the day as we found a few walls that seemed pretty much like sport climbing crags. Pedro fixed the rope and then we went for a few lines. Read more AboutArctic days on the Planks EP4. Tamokdalen, Ice climbing, skiing with huskies and discovering Lyngen.
Arctic days on the Planks EP3: Senja: about beauty and learning through pain.
We finally picked up Pedro in the Airport of Tromsø and decided to book a lovely cabin for the night. Amongst other things, so we wouldn’t scare him with the mess inside of the van and so we could profit to clean and dry everything properly before arranging the space and gear of our three in a functional way for the trip. Senja felt a little far as to drive there straight, so we decided to check Tamokdalen on the way there. Read more AboutArctic days on the Planks EP3: Senja: about beauty and learning through pain.
Lifaloft: The new lightweight thermal insulation proposal by Helly Hansen.
Over the last two month I’ve been testing a new fabric. Again, it’s an innovative fabric, and again brought by Helly Hansen. I’ve taken it ski touring, climbing, on alpinism, ice climbing, skiing in the resort and hiking. I have worn it in the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, in the Norwegian arctic and ranging from Read more about Lifaloft: The new lightweight thermal insulation proposal by Helly Hansen.[…]