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Climbing

A Spanish multipitch tasting menu

On our most recent van trip through Spain we joined up with Wolf for some time and picked up our joined multipitch climbing where we left off the year before in France. Without much planning ahead we sampled climbs in Aragon, Navarra and the Basque Country.

Cycling

The Last Two Days of the Ronde van Bouldern – From Here On, Solo…

This is a guest article by Martin. After eight days across Germany on The Ronde van Bouldern with Bengt, I still had two more days to ride – and two final stops on the way.

Cycling

Post Tour Criterium: Hamburg to Wischhafen and back

After having ridden for eight days with Martin through western Germany I spent a few days in Hamburg meeting up with friends. With the bike on hand I took the chance of a bit of good weather for a chill ride down and up the Elbe to visit Ela und Tim.

Hiking

Åre: A mountain resort town - Swedish style

While traveling rhe Swedish west we stayed in the small town of Åre right by the Åreskutan mountain. In three days we ran, hiked and climbed our way around the area.

Cycling

The Ronde van Bouldern 2025

Ride, climb, eat, sleep, repeat. A simple yet enticing plan that Martin and I came up with for this summer trip through Germany. We would cycle from one climbing gym to the next and sleep there or at friends' places. Queue 10 days of fun, the occasional discomfort and many new connections.

Hiking

The whole Sonfjället for us and the reindeer

During our 2025 summer road trip through the Swedish outback we took the chance to pitch our tent in the barren landscape of Sonfjället - the area with the most bears in the country. It had it all: Solitude, views and friendly reindeer.

Tips and tricks

Long term review of the first gen Apidura 14L saddle bag

After many long and short on- and off-road tours I still happily depend my trusty old saddle bag. It is outdated for sure but still just gets the job done.

Tips and tricks

A multiyear review of Rapha`s classic, training and long sleeve jerseys

Over the course of my cycling journey I have picked up four Rapha jerseys. All on sale or used. Two wool-synthetic mix long sleeve, a classic shortsleeve and a Pro Team training jersey. Except for the hottest, coldest and wettest rides these are my go tos.

Climbing

Exploring the crags of Western Germany

Honestly speaking, climbing is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about western Germany. Still with a local guide showing me around I did experience quite a wide variety of different climbing styles and rock types in a very short amount of time.

vanlife

In the shadow of Mont Ventoux

Climbing and cycling in the French Provence  After several visits to the South of France in our trusty van I would like to highlight another gem of the region: Mont Ventoux and its surroundings. Situated northeast of Avignon this 1.909m mountain looms over the whole region and is well

Tips and tricks

An Ode to the Opinel knife

The tool we most use on any kind of trip is by far the Opinel: A barebones folding knife hailing from the mountain Savoie region in France. Whether preparing food, quick repairs, opening boxes or mindlessly whittling the Opinel just does the job.

Climbing

Berchtesgaden - Germany's other alpine playground

Watzmann, Königssee, the Eagles Nest, the Huberbuam - all names springing to mind when thinking about the region and mountains around Berchtesgaden. From climbing to history this place has a lot to offer. However you have to deal with the crowds.

Hiking

Hiking the Fisherman’s Trail in Portugal

Millions of years of wind and waves have formed the rough beauty of the Alentejo coast south of Lisbon. Our aim when visiting this unique landscape was to explore the area and to hike at least parts of the Fisherman’s Trail that hugs the coast.

Climbing

Exploring the famous Calanque de Marseille

Of the well known climbing areas of France the Calanque on the mediterranean coast might be the most bucketlistly for intermediate climbers. And why not with the promise of great limestone climbing right above the sea and perfect weather almost year round. However there are a few catches…

Tips and tricks

Independence on the Road: My Experience with REDODO Batteries

As a climber and passionate vanlifer, freedom is everything to me. Every day is an opportunity to scale a new peak or camp out in a remote spot - but all of this only works if I can stay self-sufficient in my van.

Cycling

Big climbs, big sky and big smiles in the Sierra de Los Filabres

Most road cyclists know Mallorca, Calpe and maybe the Sierra Nevada as destinations to ride stunning roads in great weather. However there is much more to explore in Spain - like the many climbs, quaint villages and beautiful landscape of the Sierra de Los Filabres.

Climbing

Multipitch climbing in Redovan and Orihuela

The two climbing areas of Redovan and Orihuela are just a few kilometers apart but their style does differ quite a lot. Which is great because you can find a multipitch line here for anybody: Sport bolted, sparsely bolted with tricky logistics or even alpine style.

Climbing

Multipitch: Cala Llamp Stargazer / Port d´Andratx

Quick info * Unique climb above the sea and the luxury development of the Andratx area with a 1 min approach.  * 4 Pitches / 120 meters * 5c / 6a+ / 6b / 6b+  * Fully bolted.  * Very crumbly rock on the lower pitches. A bit better on pitches 3 and 4. * Rappel descent (fairly tricky).  General

Climbing

Multipitch: El Paredon - Dijous Bo / Puig Major

Quick info * A good line on mostly solid rock on the far right side of the wall. The ambience, type of climbing and small amount of fixed gear give this route a very alpine feel. * Five harder pitches in a row with a distinct crux pitch at 6b+. Less sustained

Climbing

Le Thaurac - Great old school southern France climbing

With more than 1.000 tightly packed limestone climbs along the river L´Hérault this area is good for a few days or a longer visit on its own. Add the beautiful landscape, climbing history significance and the French charme and you get the full package.

Cycling

Through the hills and by the sea on knobby tires

Even though I have been riding bikes on Mallorca for some years there is still new stuff to explore - even close to home. So Martin and I packed light and rode off on mountain bikes for an overnighter along the East coast.

Mallorca Adventure Guide

Cave: Cova des Moro / Porto Cristo

Quick info * Medium size cave with archeological sites that can be reached via a hike and short downclimb * No technical gear needed  * Can be combined with other caves or climbing for a full day out  General Situated right by the sea and very close to Cala Varques (popular among beach

Climbing

Tarn x Jonte: A climbers playground

Beautiful landscape, stunning limestone features and routes from single pitch to 200 meters in a very compact area that is easy to reach: The basic data is very promising indeed and our multi day exploration has confirmed these valleys to be worth returning visits indeed.

vanlife

Ariège: A somewhat hidden gem in the French Pyrenees

Having already spent quite some time in the Spanish Pyrenees and other parts of the French side of this range, our travels brought us into the Ariége valley for about a week in the late summer. What we found was a climbers and cyclist paradise that at least we did not have on top of our list.

Climbing

Endless seas of alpine granite on Dent d´Orlu

Sitting at the very end of the Ariege valley in the French Pyrenees the Dent d´Orlu is best known for its striking silhouette and its monster 1000m+ routes. However we were not out for a multi day climb and chose the less intimidating 11 pitch Tapas sans Dalle for our first outing on this mountain.