Cataluña

I've been sport climbing here in Catalonia, Spain for over a week now and it's been really fun. The bad weather all over Europe made me change my plans and I decided to come here to hang out with the crew. Overall the weather has been pretty good here, but Margalef is still wet for the most part, so we've been climbing a lot in Oliana.

Boira in Les Avillanes

Oliana is an amazing cliff with very long hard routes. Most of the routes are between 8b and 9a+. For a boulderer like me, climbing in Oliana has been very effective endurance training. I actually feel like I've gained a lot endurance in just a week and soon I can seriously start trying some hard routes. I can't wait for Margalef to dry up so we get to try some shorter routes also.

Dave on Fish eye, Oliana

Yesterday I actually managed to climb something by doing the first repeat of Duele la realidad, 8c+ in Oliana. To the right of Duele la realidad is a really hard project, that Chris bolted a few days ago. It has a very hard bouldery start. I managed to do all the moves of the first part yesterday, but linking them is going to be a challenge.

 Jon Cardwell using his Mexican ninja beta on Duele la realidad

We have spent our restdays looking for boulders. From what I understand, not many people boulder here and even fewer actually go looking for boulders, so there's a lot of bouldering to be discovered.

 Nalle Hukkataival trying Identifacation y placas, 8c

Chad filming in Oliana

Pure available as HD dowload

Chuck Fryberger's latest film Pure is now available as HD download from Bouldering.com. I just downloaded it and it looks really good in high definition. Get it here for $14.99 (~10 euros)

Here's the trailer:

Pure is about 19 extraordinary climbers in six countries on three continents, with no ropes.

Featured Climbers:

Nalle Hukkataival: This young Finnish climber has put in his time on the world cup circuit and is now focusing on climbing the most daunting boulders on Earth.

Kevin Jorgeson: Pure features exclusive footage of Kevin's first ascents and first ropeless ascents in California. A Unique

perspective on the mind control necessary to solo, and the rehabilitation needed when you screw up.

Kilian Fischhuber: Winner of the Mens 2008 Bouldering World Cup. No climber has ever had a more dominant season on the World Cup

Circuit then Kilian, and few have the sense of humor.

Anna Stoehr: Winner of the Womens 2008 Bouldering World Cup. Professional Climber. 20 years old.

Fred Nicole: No introduction needed. The author of the lion's share of hard boulder problems in the world. The leader and grand master of the sport.

Cody Roth: Psyched to get on just about anything, PURE showcases Cody on hair-raising first ascents from Rocklands to Europe.

Areas Featured:

Rocklands, South Africa.

Sonoma County, California.

Fountainebleu, France.

Innsbruck, Austria.

Colorado.

Arco, Italy.

La Vallei, Magic Wood, and Brione Switzerland

Join these visionary climbers as they test their limits against the rock of planet earth in search of Taller, Harder, Cleaner, and Farther.