20 Questions
Describe your climbing background:
I came to this drug called climbing through my uncle. Since then I have spent most of my time climbing and every year I improve and do harder routes.

Was there a big breakthrough or defining moment for you?
I have one thing in mind: my first 7c+ onsight in Simplondorf, Mikrocosmos. It was sometime ago when I was 18 years old. Before I climbed I was quite annoyed and in this annoyed state I just climbed this 7c+ without ever having come close to climbing that grade before. I felt very calm and had a lot of patience when I was climbing.

What are you up to when you’re not climbing?
Probably working, or at the sauna, cinema or enjoying a good meal with my friends

Who or what inspires you?
The challenge of climbing, when it looks impossible, inspires me. Also that feeling of pure strength in your body, when you’re climbing, inspires me as you move smoothly and elegantly.

How do you see climbing evolving in the next five years?
Presumably we will still be fighting against gravity in five years—what a shame if this were to change.

Any near death experiences?
I have spent my summer vacations in Chamonix with a goal of climbing Mont Blanc. One summer we took the cable car to the middle station to test some gear. We just could not resist the great icefall there and I started to leading. I made a bad move with my foot and fell 8m. Luckily my back was protected by my pack but I ended up with a hairline fracture in my skull, a concussion and some contusions. I stopped ice climbing for the next five years.

What are your future plans or goals in climbing?
There are so many spots on earth where I want to go and climb. Currently my motivation is focused on competitions where I hope to make it to the podium.