Nalle Hukkataival

Finland

I'm a 22-year-old boulderer/climber from Finland. The last few years I've been on the move all the time, traveling around the world for climbing. Traveling has really made me realize the potential for climbing that is out there and yet to be discovered. I'm very motivated to develop new areas and push the standards in bouldering, in terms of difficulty and the aesthetics of the problems.

Birthday? 08/09/86

Year you first started climbing? I first started climbing at the gym, I think, '98, 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 FA of The Globalist (8b+) FA of Lopun Alku, an 11-meter highball in Finland.

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? It's 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 2 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, 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.