Nov 28 2007
Climbing
I began climbing in 1989, when I was 13, near my home town (Baia Mare) located in a valley in the Carpathians, in the North of Transylvania (Romania). Neither I nor my partners at that time had much knowledge of what we were supposed to do, we used to climb in big boots and with home made ropes tied around our waists, much like in early 1950’s everywhere else. Everything was allowed - stepping on pitons, pulling on slings…
In 1991, while on a caving school I saw a film that completely changed my perspective on rock climbing: La vie au bout du doigts (Life on fingertips) with and about the legendary French free climber Patrick Edlinger. After that I improvised a harness from a car safety belt, some climbing shoes out of Chinese sneakers, sew up a chalk-bag and tried to climb the same style like him. Was hard and much fun. By 1993 I was also into ice and alpine routes till an accident made me slow down for a while. My ‘glory’ years as far as sport climbing goes came and went sometimes between 1992 and 1996. Then serious life came into action and spoiled my fun… Still am climbing with equal passion, though sometimes with less fitness, and enjoy thoroughly both summer and winter climbing - sport, trad or alpine. I climb for fun and fun only regardless of grades, ropes, partners or countries.
I climbed a little in the USA and mostly in Europe and Asia. You can find trip reports or climbing related material in my Blog.
Every now and again I do some freelance guiding. If interested in guided climbs in the Carpathians or in China send me an email and we can discuss details.
