Q: You are from Colombia. Colombia is not a place many of us know about for climbing. Tell us about the climbing there!
Actually, climbing isn't that well known here either. The climbing community is not as big as in the USA or Europe, but it is growing step-by-step. It’s like a “little community” which makes it more special and united because we support each other, climb together, have fun and make some friends around the country. We also contribute to make climbing bigger and better for future climbers and more visible for other climbers of the world.
I have climbing friends from Bogotá, Cali, Santander and I'm from Medellín, so it’s great to see all of us on the same vibe. As the community grows, there are new, friends, experiences, and unexplored rocks and routes.
I have climbing friends from Bogotá, Cali, Santander and I'm from Medellín, so it’s great to see all of us on the same vibe. As the community grows, there are new, friends, experiences, and unexplored rocks and routes.
|
Regarding the climbing itself, climbing is super different in each park. You can find hard and sharp rock to soft and smooth, and even some wet rock. There are fun slabs at El Peñol Rock, trad and old school in Suesca, wonderful roofs at Machetá, well-protected climbs at La Mojarra, or the most beautiful and technical movements at La Peña.
Weather depends on the location, but you can climb almost year-round in Colombia without trouble. And, people are always pleased to show you the area. Q: If a climber from another country were to visit Colombia, what advice would you give?
|
Carolina Quiceno at “Cosa de Chicas” 5.11c – La Peña, Abejorral
|
Yulia López at “La Moto” 5.11b - El Peñol, Guatape
|
Yulian López at “Grieta Garbo” 5.10c – El Peñol, Guatape
|
Q: Are you a climber yourself? If so, when and how did you get started and what type of climbing do you do (e.g. sport, traditional)?
Yeah! I have been climbing for about 5 years. It was the hardest and scariest thing I have done in my life.
I'm a sport climber. My favorite routes are those that have tiny, technical movements that make you look like you’re dancing on the rock. But I also like to try everything, to just feel the rock and be happy.
My first time at the rock was at El Peñol and I looked at that slab like “no way”, but I loved it. Then I climbed at the local gym, called El Muro. I have met the greatest human beings in the world through climbing. That keeps me motivated! Also my coach keeps pushing me to conquer my limits and be better by reaching little goals. The most important thing is that no one lets me give up. Thanks climbing friends! Thank you Jer!
I'm a sport climber. My favorite routes are those that have tiny, technical movements that make you look like you’re dancing on the rock. But I also like to try everything, to just feel the rock and be happy.
My first time at the rock was at El Peñol and I looked at that slab like “no way”, but I loved it. Then I climbed at the local gym, called El Muro. I have met the greatest human beings in the world through climbing. That keeps me motivated! Also my coach keeps pushing me to conquer my limits and be better by reaching little goals. The most important thing is that no one lets me give up. Thanks climbing friends! Thank you Jer!
Santiago López at “El Profe” 5.11a – El Peñol, Guatape
Q: Do you travel to other nearby countries to climb?
Sadly, I haven't been climbing in other countries, but I would love it - both to climb and to make some awesome pictures.
Q: Tell us about your favorite local climbing area and your all time favorite climbing area and why.
My favorite local climbing is La Peña, no doubt. It’s about 3 hours from Medellín. The view is great. The place has the best energy in the world and the climbing is magical. You have to walk about 30 minutes to get to the rock, but it’s a good hike to warm yourself up. Then, you get there and drink some water, unpack everything, and the fun begins. The climbing is very vertical, and the routes are the perfect mix between technique and power, you can find climbs from 5.7´s to 5.14´s so it’s a place for anyone, no excuses. On top of that, to finish a perfect climbing day, the sunsets are the craziest thing you will see.
Another top climbing area is La Mojarra at Santander. It’s like heaven on earth - the hostel, the food, the variety people, the vibes - everything. The climbing is almost perfect! You wake up and drink a delicious coffee, eat breakfast with you friends, rest a little bit, and go to the rock by the time the shade hits at around 11:00 am. Then, you climb all day with a nice wind, no sun, but with good light though. In the evening you go back to the hostel, eat dinner, sleep and repeat. The best part is that your fingers don’t suffer because the rock is super friendly and soft.
Another top climbing area is La Mojarra at Santander. It’s like heaven on earth - the hostel, the food, the variety people, the vibes - everything. The climbing is almost perfect! You wake up and drink a delicious coffee, eat breakfast with you friends, rest a little bit, and go to the rock by the time the shade hits at around 11:00 am. Then, you climb all day with a nice wind, no sun, but with good light though. In the evening you go back to the hostel, eat dinner, sleep and repeat. The best part is that your fingers don’t suffer because the rock is super friendly and soft.
Ángela Moreno at “A Última Hora” 5.11d – La Mojarra, Santander
Federico Pérez at “Fuego en la Proa” 5.13a – La Mojarra, Santander
Q: What do you do when you are not climbing?
I'm studying audiovisual communication and work as a freelancer with photography and video, sometimes as a creative. Also, I make rock-trips only for photography in which I'm not able to climb (if that counts!)
Q: Tell us about you as a photographer? How did you learn? Do you have a particular style or approach – especially with climbing photos?
Through my degree as audiovisual communicator I have received lessons about light, composition and how to use a camera. I also trained my eye, to find my own view, by studying different photographers, movies, photographs, and even art. But the only way I really found my photographic style, was by trying over and over again - actually, I'm still looking for my own style.
I consider myself an artist, so my mission is to feel and create. I try to apply that in climbing photography - which is a world that I have been exploring and learning for about three years. Climbing photography is my personal project. It is one way to combine two things that give me peace and inspiration. This kind of photography isn't easy at all - learning to use the gear, the different knots, not having the control of your subject, and not missing the moment. It's a complete and lovely challenge.
I especially enjoy capturing the gestures of the climber, the details and textures of the body over the rock, the struggle, the passion and feeling in that moment where it is "you versus you." In this way I play with the angles, the field depth and light, and different details and points of view.
I consider myself an artist, so my mission is to feel and create. I try to apply that in climbing photography - which is a world that I have been exploring and learning for about three years. Climbing photography is my personal project. It is one way to combine two things that give me peace and inspiration. This kind of photography isn't easy at all - learning to use the gear, the different knots, not having the control of your subject, and not missing the moment. It's a complete and lovely challenge.
I especially enjoy capturing the gestures of the climber, the details and textures of the body over the rock, the struggle, the passion and feeling in that moment where it is "you versus you." In this way I play with the angles, the field depth and light, and different details and points of view.
El Papo at “El Profe” 5.11a – El Peñol, Guatape
Q: Is there anything you’d like the Common Climber audience to know?
Hey! this is just the beginning and I can be nothing but grateful. Tons of love, my friends.
Yulian López at “La Moto” 5.11b – El Peñol, Guatape
A little bit about the places Camila mentions:
The Wandering Climber blog has a nice overview of many of these areas.
- La Mojarra is located in the majestic Chicamocha Canyon - the second largest canyon in the world.
- El Peñol is a massive hunk of granite that is a popular tourist destination. There are stairs up one side all the way to the top. Or more fun for us climbers, free climb on the other side!
- La Peña has high quality granite and some multi-pitch climbs.
- Suesca has sport and trad climbing on sandstone located about 1 hour north of Bogota. Mountain Project only shows about 160 climbs, but there are currently over 600.
- Machetá - overhung, sport, sandstone are the descriptors for this area, located east of Suesca. Mountain Project only shows 4 routes, but there are around 300.
The Wandering Climber blog has a nice overview of many of these areas.
INSTAGRAM: @rexinraw
WEBSITE ADDRESS: behance.net/camila_ospina
WEBSITE ADDRESS: behance.net/camila_ospina