Spanish Inquisition

Competition climbers are a special breed. While the rock and natural lines drive most people, comp climbers spend most of their time on plastic, training and competing. One of the world’s best comp climbers decided to break the mold and spend her off-season crushing on real rock. When faced with the first World Cup competition in July, Maja Vidmar, 24, from Slovenia, decided to climb as many rocks as she could to stay in shape and stay motivated for comp season. In late March, Maja packed her bags and set out for sunny Spain. Between March 25 and April 16, Vidmar managed more than a dozen ticks that individually would make anyone a rock star. She toured the best places in Spain: Oliana, Siurana, St. Linya, Montsant, Masriudoms, and Tres Ponts. Her proudest send was an onsight of Humildes Pa Casa (5.14a), Oliana, on April 6, in the middle of taking Spain by storm. The route follows one long stalactite for a length of 50 meters, definitely a test of mental strength and physical endurance. “I entered the route fully motivated, but it wasn’t a quick or easy start. There were moments when I saw myself already in the air,” Maja said of her battle with Humildes. The route that translates to “humbles stay home” was defi nitely a test to measure up to the world’s best climbers, and in addition to having already won seven World Cup competitions, Maja has defi nitely proven herself in the global climbing scene, on plastic or rock.

SPRING RAMPAGE: A few ticks on Maja Vidmar’s Tour de Espana

Onsight