Combining my hobby development projects with climbing passion. Meet the climbinggrades project.

Drinking red wine and enjoying the warm breeze overlooking the lights reflecting off Lake Garda, wait how did I get here? I was suppose to be in the Balkans. Well 24 hours prior to when we were set to leave Munich for Kosovo the carrier we booked, Adria airline, went bankrupt and canceled all flights, what luck. So we moved to a backup plan of a weekend climbing and doing via ferrata in the Arco area on Lake Garda. Was Italy a better destination? I’m not sure but I did find some of the best climbing Europe has to offer and can’t wait to go back.

The Lofoten archipelago, a Norwegian chain of islands in the arctic circle and the destination of my most ambitious backpacking trip to date. Myself along with a group of 7 friends and colleges got together and for a week to become trekking team exploring the land of breath taking views, fjords, and midnight sun.

Update 09-24-19

Excited to proclaim success! Last weekend I summited on the route I had attempted earlier in the year with a different climbing partner. This time nothing but sunshine. We employed the swinging leads method of climbing with notable success and made the climb in just under 3.5 hours, slow but for the longest climb to date for me I’m ok with it. It was a relief to summit because the day had been a bit stressful.

“Hacking health” in Zurich, this weekend I attended a health" in Zurich. I attended a hackathon focused on innovation in the health care sector. Getting outside Munich for reasons other than mountaineering or tourism, what a concept! The event opened me up to exploring the wonderful city if Zurich with friends, go to my first European hackathon, and learning a bit of Go lang.

Originally wrote this Iceland trip log post in German as language practice. Hence the interview format. Now I’ll be translating it back to English.

Frauenwasserl is a great beginner friendly crag just outside Oberammergau. I’ve been there a few times now and with groups, five to seven, usually including some first time climbers. With fifteen routes there are plenty of 4-5 UIAA routes to start off with and then some more challenging ones to hone skills. Its a great place to start climbing outside then expand into other crags in the area.

This weekend I had the good fortune to visit Mittenwald for summit hike with friends. It was another step in furthering my integration into Bavarian traditions where a summer weekend is not complete without mountains and a beer garden. The hike proved a good workout featuring views into Austrian Alps and after Mittenwald was more exciting then expected.

Excited to bring my little over a year old art project, Scanning for Meaning, back to life today.

Recently my mother was doing a tour up the east coast of the US in her small RV and I made my way out to join for the Nova Scotia portion. Turned into a nice family adventure.