Barbara Zangerl

Austria

I was born and raised in the region of Arlberg, Tirol and started climbing when I was 13. My brother took me to the bouldering gym for the first time, where I made my first attempts at climbing together with my sister. After one year climbing on plastic, I got to experience climbing on rocks. At this time I spent a lot of time in various bouldering areas, like, for example Rocklands, Ticino, Magic Wood and Silvretta. When it comes to climbing, I think this is surely what has defined me the most. I had really good teachers and the start into climbing was a playful way.

The next key moment, was a back injury, which made me change my attitude towards climbing a bit; and I can't imagine focusing on bouldering only, the way I used to, again.

At the moment, and of course because of changing my focus, I can see the whole thing in a bigger perspective. I'm actually happy that I can have as much fun, regardless of if I climb with a rope or a crash pad. I am very happy to find cool projects that motivate me. I like to combine and do all styles of climbing. At the moment I'm definitly enjoying climbing multipitch the most. I really like it to start in the morning and staying on the wall the full day. It's always like a big adventure and also somethimes a fight with my head.

Birthday? May 24, 1988.

Year you first started climbing? 2001.

Three climbing achievements you are most proud of? Pura Vida (8a+/8b), a beautiful boulder in Magic Wood. In April of 2009 I did my first ascent of Fight Club (8a+). That’s a route near my home. It’s a very cool line; maybe my hardest one. Lastly, I enjoy bouldering in Galtür. One of the best lines there, is Falsche Götter… the best highball ever ;-)

Memory/story of the first time you ever went climbing? The first time I got in touch with climbing was, when my brother took me to the climbing hall in Flirsch. That was at the age of 14. I enjoyed it from the very beginning. In 2002 I met Bernd Zangerl and he showed me the boulders in Switzerland and in Tyrol...that was great, lot of new places, lots of rock It was much better than climbing indoor. For me that was one of the best experiences I ever had. And of course the best fun!

Favorite climbing area and why? My favorite boulder area is Rocklands in South Africa. It’s amazing to see this landscape. There are so many cool boulders. It’s a bouldering paradise. And for sport climbing the best place is Zillertal ;-). I really enjoy climbing at the crags and in fact here in the Tyrol we've got more cool crags than cool bouldering areas.

Best climbing experience? The best climbing experience was the bouldering trip to Rocklands. I was so fascinated to see this kind of stone. It was amazing. I had a very cool time there.

Worst climbing experience? Since last year I have a disc injury. At the beginning that was very hard for me, because I couldn’t climb any more boulders for a long time. But at the moment I’m really happy to climb a lot of cool routes.

What's your dream trip? Where? With who? I want to go to North America, to visit all the cool boulder and climbing areas. It would be cool to go with my sister. ;-)

Guilty pleasure? I sleep a lot.

BD gear you use every time you go climbing? The best crashpad for bouldering - Mondo Pad, Aura harness, quickdraws, White Gold chalk, brush (very important) and Demon pack.

Something that annoys you while climbing? Waste in nature, chipping holds and loud atmosphere.

What inspires you in climbing? It’s a lot of fun. You have to concentrate just on moving! I like playing with the rock! Having a good time with my friends…being outside in nature and looking for new boulders or routes. I like travelling, seeing new places, finding new rocks! When I can do something at my limit and I worked really hard for that, I feel happy. It's just an amazing feeling when you manage a move that you haven't been able to do before. But, what I enjoy most is climbing abroad, in new climbing areas and not thinking about anything.

Favorite aprés-climb meal? Gnocchi arrabiata (selfmade), Kaiserschmarrn and pudding.

Favorite climbing flick? Onsight.

What's in your iPod? Macossa and Cake.

Strangest place you've ever woken up? Airport.

Three things you'd never roadtrip without? Money, a good friend, sleeping bag and Mondo pad.

Superstitions? Lucky number 8.

What's your dream job? I need a lot of time for climbing to be happy.

How are you training when you are not climbing? I train when I climb. When I don’t climb I need a rest. Then I relax by doing nothing, go swimming, go for a walk…searching for new rocks…

If you could steal one thing and not get caught, what would it be? A plane with a pilot who fly with me around the world…

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive) who would they be? A difficult question… I don’t know…maybe… Jonny Depp, Didier Berthod… hmm and ?