Training in January, February, ...

After I came back from Jordan I did not hesitate to start climbing and training back on plastic again. The first few days were interesting and quite hard, but I adapted easily and started to enjoy  working out every day and made progress soon.

at 'DEŠ' - photo by Marko Bratina

Foto by: Slovenia climbing team

Most of the time, I spent with my coach (Roman Krajnik) in Škofa Loka. I also climbed with the Slovenija climbing team, meeting twice per week at different places and gyms all around Slovenija to train together. It is really a pleasure to try hard with good company, nice routes, walls and people who know what to do! :)

Foto by: Slovenia climbing team

Some of the places we were at, included Climbing Center Ljubljana, UrbnRoof, Prestranek, at Domen Škofic's place, DEŠ, ...

more fotos at: Slovenija climbing team FB-page

In-between I also spent some days at Plusclimbing gym in Sežana, appeared on a talk show on national TV, received a reward for best sportswoman of my region and did some other not-just-climbing stuff :)

at 'Poločni klub'

Jordan project video

Short video clip from Jordan exploring and climbing ... Enjoy! :) - LINK

https://vimeo.com/86175078

About: ''adidas athlete Klemen Bečan and his crew spent December and January climbing and bolting new routes in Jordan. They visited Wadi Rum on the south where repeated routes and tried to find new lines. They found them, so now you can enjoy there even harder routes. They also visited areas in the north, where helped locals climbers developt new climbing area near Ajloun. They made 16 new routes and one of them is also new hardest route in Jordan - Same same but different, 8c.''

Outdoor experience and climbing in Jordan

For last 5 or 6 years I have been spending a week or two around New Year's climbing outdoors and exploring different places and crags. For the first few years, I have chosen Spain, but recently I am more interested in new, more foreign or 'unknown' locations.

My main purpose is to visit the place, meet with locals, share my knowledge, experiences and knowledge about climbing. I also try local routes hoping to promote the place and help the local community to develop its own climbing and culture.

I'm doing this to make a switch from competitions, to experience new places, adventure, and all the kinds of happiness that climbing, travelling and being outdoors can offer . I visited this country two years ago for the lead world cup in Amman (2011). I have very nice memories from this trip, not just because of winning the comp in Climbat gym, but also the unforgettable experience of visiting Petra and seeing so many cliffs and the climbing potential in this area.

I really liked the atmosphere of this country and how kind, open and generous people are there. I am happy to say that my first impression was not wrong and I am glad, that I got the opportunity to join Klemen Bečan (plus his wife, photographer and my boyfriend) on a second trip in Jordan.

We all have experienced many wonderful things that climbing and spending time outdoors can offer you (and also, how adidas outdoor collection can make it much easier and comfortable :P ).

We spent the first week of our trip in the southern desert area 'Wadi Rum'. This climbing place offers an unimaginable amount of climbing with much potential for new routes, from trad to sport multi-pitch routes, sport climbing and bouldering on all kinds of rock (from sandstone to granite).

Here we did some all-around exploring bouldering, and exploring the place and its uniqe environment. We (Klemen) also bolted and did (FA) of one sport route on granite and we found and climbed the hardest sport multi-pitch route in the area (Glory 8a+; 6a,6c,8a(+),7c,6c), I also tried 'trad' climbing (-it was the first time for me and I really enjoyed this experience!) and much more .. Sleeping in the desert, driving with 4x4 Jeeps, cooking on an open fire and talking with the very friendly and open local Bedouins is just something more to add.Later we moved further north, to the capital city Amman and the climbing areas around Ajlun (ca. 1 hour driving from Amman). We were kindly accepted and hosted overnight at the local bouldering gym and main meeting point for hiking, canyoning and other outdoor activities in this area, the office of Tropical Desert Trips (thank you Hakim Tamimi :).

There are many sport climbing areas around Ajlun, some of them are already bolted and cleaned, and many more are still waiting for that. We wanted to do some sport climbing, bolt new routes, explore the area and connect with Amman's sport climbing community to share the experience, knowledge and our views about climbing.

We spend many days outdoor, sleeping in the cave, bolting, cleaning and climbing during the day . (OK, I have to admit, that I did not bolt my own new route, but Klemen, Anja and Luka did so).

We worked on bolting and climbing from sun-up to sunset. When we were done it was time to build a fire to prepare tea and our dinner, as we have learned from the locals ... I really want to give a big thanks to the local people for helping us during this stay with bringing water, fresh fruit, bread, batteries other supplies during our stay in Ajlun.

At the end of our stay, we left the area with a 'little new crag', some projects and also some new routes. Maybe I should mention also a very nice new line, Jordan Express (8b) of which I did the 2nd ascent (and Klemen the FA)...

The rock in the north is very solid and high quality, the routes are very well bolted and offer sport climbing experiences and challenges for all levels of climbers. I think that here in Jordan everyone can find a challenge and a new unforgettable outdoor experience! :) At the moment, as I am writing this, I am already) beginning my training and preparation for the new season ... So, there will be more news and updates coming for sure :)

Different december

After compeitions I have decided to do some climbing rest and take time for other, different things and activitis, for which I do not have time, chance or will during other part of year.

(enjoy winter sun and rock at Mišja peč, Slovenija; foto:Luka Fonda)

Don't get me wrong – I LOVE climbing, training, competing and travelling around, but changes are something, that I am always open and excited for! :)

So, I used nice and warm (winter days) for climbing outdoor at local crags (Mišja peč), give some advices and trainings to youth climbers at Plus-climbing gym, attended opening ceremony of first Slovenian big wall climbing center in Ljubljana and many other...

I have also visit my hometown and spend some very precious, relaxed and unforgettble time with my parents, challenged myself by cooking, baking and other activities similar to this ...

48. PDK – last competition event of 2013

As every year, I have finished competition year with 3 days of national competitions in lead and boulder.

It was overall very nice event, full of happening. Beside of climbing competition for all categories, there were many side activities, presentations and shows available for visitors. For me, it was already maybe a little bit more relaxed comp as I am used to, but I have really enjoyed every boulder and route. Maybe, because I knew, they are probably last for me in this year :'(.

After this event, I will took some rest and focus on other things. But, soon in January, I am coming back to plastic and training again!

all photos from:PDK

Until than, I am sure there will be many events and interesting things to do ...

So, see you soon! :)

Winter visit and climbing in Chamonix

Just after one day after finish of world cup circuit for this year, I had another competition. It was military climbing competition, on which also some international teams were invited.

I went there with Slovenia armed forces and it was really nice, relaxed and fun trip! :) It was also really nice to spend some time together with other team-mate climbers, meet Martina Čufar and others ...

About the climbing, I have just enjoyed it really much! First day we had qualifications (they were made in kind of 'open' format with 5 routes, 16 boulders and plenty of time to try and do it).

Routes were not really big challenge for me at the moment, but with some boulders I had some more fun. But, together with Klemen Bečan (personal 'hold brusher' and 'beta-giver' at that time: ) ) I managed to do also some harder pieces.

Some more walk around snowy Chamonix, little bit of shopping at local stores, coffee/tea in the down town and perfect climbing adventure day was over.

Next day it was time for finals. It was really interesting to climb same route together with men. Me, Maja Vidmar and 3 guys managed to finish final route and climbed also in superfinal, what was super cool step of an event. (and I also managed to come to the highest point of all :P ).

It was also really successful event for Slovenia armed forces team, with 8 medals and 1^st place altogether between teams (1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd places for me, Maja Vidmar and Martina Čufar in lead and boulder and 2^nd place for Klemen in lead and boulder).

Just to add, I think this trip will stay in my memory for long time. It was well deserved award for all year's training, competing and travelling around.

Thank you Slovenia armed forces! :)

3rd, 2nd and 1st place overall after WC in Kranj

At this momment and place I would like to give big thanks to Slovenija climbing team (supported by adids outdoor, Lapis holds), Slovenija armed forces, LaSportva, my coach Roman Krajnik, people who are close to me and everyone, who folloded, believed and support me and made another very sucessful competition and climbing year possible! :)

THANK YOU!

More news comming soon...