A new film follows Black Diamond athlete Connor Herson on a journey to Norway’s Jøssingfjord, where he teams up with Babsi Zangerl to explore what it truly means to be “born from the climbing life.” Together, they take on two massive crack climbs that split the famed Profile Wall.
First up: Crown Royale (9a) — one of the hardest trad routes in the world. Legacy is earned. Connor Herson, the only way to leave something behind that stands the test of time is to first try the benchmarks that have already been established. That was the genesis behind Connor’s trip to Norway. With two of the world’s hardest trad routes sitting right next to each other on the iconic Profile Wall, the Jøssingfjord zone is now the ultimate mettle-tester for the trad climbing elite.
Babsi Zangerl shared her perspective on what makes climbing in Norway — and traditional climbing itself — so meaningful:
“Traditional climbing has a deep historical background in Norway.
The lines are clean and aesthetic. Most routes don’t even have anchors at the top. It’s a really cool style. You get to climb the routes exactly the way they were done back in the day. This not only adds many demanding aspects but also helps you grow massively as a climber. You protect routes using all kinds of gear—nuts, Camalots, ball nuts, beaks—letting your creativity run free. The goal is to climb a route completely clean, placing all protection on lead while climbing, without using it as aid.
This makes climbing more versatile, mentally challenging, and teaches you how to realistically assess risk. When things get serious, it can be very difficult to push danger and fear aside and focus solely on climbing. But that’s exactly what makes our sport so diverse and exciting. If you’re comfortable with the game, familiar with all types of protection, and have already taken a few falls, it can even be much more fun than simply clipping bolts.
On top of that, routes tend to leave a much deeper memory when you’ve had to overcome not only physical difficulty but also your inner resistance. Those experiences become intense and unforgettable.
I strongly believe we should protect this traditional way of climbing and give this ethic importance for the next generations of climbers. Our society constantly pushes us toward going faster, higher, harder, and better. But isn’t it just as much about experiences that allow us to grow — experiences that are more holistic and ultimately more valuable than setting a record?
Sometimes, what’s truly inspiring is not what we achieve, but how we approach something and the style in which you do it.”
Babsi Zangerl. Image Credits : Christian Adam / Black Diamond
About Black Diamond Equipment
Black Diamond Equipment develops innovative product solutions for climbing, hiking, mountaineering, trail running and skiing enthusiasts. With its HQs in Salt Lake City (Utah) and in Innsbruck (Austria), Black Diamond is recognized for its commitment to increasing safety levels in the mountain environment and has pioneered some of the most revolutionary and advanced equipment to better support people in outdoor sports. The Company has an active role in environmental protection, through the introduction and implementation of more sustainable internal processes – especially focusing on materials, product certification, manufacturing and transportation – and through the support of local and international environmental associations. Moreover, Black Diamond is a company of enthusiasts and proudly supports over 300 outdoor athletes and young talents all over the world. For more information about Black Diamond Equipment please visit https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_EU/
Enjoying this content?
Stay updated on our latest stories by subscribing to Vertical Life Magazine.
