Nalle Hukkataival

Finland

I was born in Helsinki, Finland and I started climbing at the age of 12. I climbed only indoors for about a year and a half. Then I got to a point where I could climb up the steepest and hardest walls at the gym. For me that was it. I could climb to the top of every wall and since using only certain holds was much too contrived in my mind, I quit climbing.

About 2 years later I tried rock climbing and I've been hooked ever since. Real rock never failed to challenge me and there was never that red jug, that you're not supposed to use, next to the small blue crimp.

I still climb on plastic from time to time, but now it is purely for training and not the challenge itself. I've always been most inspired by bouldering, because to me it is the purest form of climbing where you get to push your limits physically and mentally. Lately I've been getting a bit more into rope climbing as well. Sometimes I have issues with bolts, just like anything else drilled into the rock, but I find trad climbing very appealing.

Traveling is a major part in my life as I spend most of my time on the road. In the last years my focus has switched from repeating hard boulder problems around the world to discovering and developing new climbing areas world wide.

Birthday? September 8, 1986.

Year you first started climbing? I first started climbing at the gym, I think 1998, but then got tired of it and quit. In 2000 I went rock climbing for the first time and I've been hooked ever since.

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of? Climbing Dreamtime in 2003, that was my first "hard" problem. First ascent of The Globalist (8b+) and first ascent of Lopun Alku: an 11 meter highball in Finland.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? It was with my school class. All I remember is being really pumped.

Favorite climbing area and why? Rocklands in South Africa, because of the amazing bouldering and beautiful surroundings.

Best climbing experience? Probably topping out Amandla in Rocklands last year. It was already dark and it was my last try when I stuck the crux move.

Worst climbing experience? One time in Magic Wood, when there was like two meters of snow. I fell really bad on my ankle and tore my ligament. It took me like an hour to get back to the car in the snow. Later my friends made me drive the car.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? Somewhere warm with a nice beach, good bouldering, deep water soloing and hot girls.

Guilty pleasure? Definitely beer.

BD gear you use every time you go climbing? White Gold chalk, Mondo or Drop Zone.

Something that annoys you while climbing? Sometimes it can be distracting when you're trying to focus really hard and people are talking loudly while you climb.

What/who inspires you in climbing? Seeing people try their hardest, no matter what grade they climb.

Favorite apre-climb meal? Fruits or chocolate.

Favorite climbing flick? The Real Thing is a classic.

What's in your iPod? All kinds of music, really.

Strangest place you've ever woken up? A manga cafe somewhere in Japan.

Strangest person you've ever woken up with? My friend Lauri Tuura.

Three things you'd never roadtrip without? My iPod, toothbrush and climbing shoes.

Superstitions? I can't think of any.

What's your dream job? What I'm doing right now: professional climber.

How are you training when you are not climbing? I really only train by climbing, but on rest days I often do a lot of hiking. I guess riding my longboard counts too.

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? A Bugatti Veyron.

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? Jim Carrey, George W. Bush and Homer Simpson.

Which would you prefer: power of flight or invisibility? Invisibility. Being able to fly would make climbing pretty boring, besides you could pull some pretty funny pranks on people if no one could see you.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings? No.