Ostrov Updates

Ostrov is a small village located in Czech Republic just on the border with Germany. It is really quiet place with lots of walls and rock towers around it. It's hard to believe the thick forest wasn't here few decades before and the whole area was covered by fields. Nowadays at some of the local highline spots the trees are almost too high ;)

The coolest place in the whole village is campsite and pub 'Pod Císařem' where you can stay and get some delicious check food and beverage. The pub has it's own character and it is really busy on weekends so actually best time to come and highline is during the week.

Sleeping in 'Pod Císařem' (photo by Jean Geofrrion)

Jordan working in a pub ... (photo by Jean Geoffrion)

Well, I don't think I have to describe this place any more. Most of you probably already have been there  and if not you should definitely come and check out this amazing place. It is great for hiking, biking, climbing and most important ... highlining.

Most of the lines around Ostrov have average height of 20m but you can find anything from lower up to around 50 meters. The length of the lines is even more diverse; you'll be able to choose from multiple already existing lines from 6 up to 96.5 meters range ("Master of Universe" Highline).

Kwjet on the "Master of Universe" back in 2010 (photo by Jordan Tybon)

There is much more potential for mid-sized lines and BIG ones. Depends on the area you can also experienced different kinds of exposure. Most of the lines are in/above the forest or are exposed just one one side but the lines in between rock towers (for example Himmelreich Area).

Himmelreich Area (photo by Jordan Tybon)

In Ostrov rigging the lines is big part of heaving fun. You can not bolt because of the sandstone climbing traditions and ethics so you have to be creative and sling rock towers, blobs, put knots tight on spansets or pieces of wood/rocks as your caming devices in a cracks.

Jan & Kwjet slinging big tower (photo by Jordan Tybon/2010)

Because of all these reasons I really like coming back to Ostrov and it is a great area for practicing and mastering your highlining and free-solo skills. You can send without protection on really mild lines or get REALLY scarred.

FS on the "No Gods No Masters" Highline (28m L/28m H)

OS-FM-FS on the "Rainmaker" aka "Free Some" Highline (14m L/35m H)

This place is not only special to me but my friends and whole slackline community. Faith Dickey is currently leaving in Ostrov, establishing new lines and raging really hard, Jordan Tybon walked his first highline without protection there and the whole area hosted multiple slackline festivals and meetings (including Petzl Slack Trip or annual Girls Only Slackline Festival).

Jordan on the "Alterweg" Highline just before his first freesoloco (photo Jan Galek)

Faith and Jan (Kletter Kiddies) together in Ostrov (photo by Jean Geoffrion)

FULL story: HERE

Peace & SlackOn!
Janek

SWEL Morocco Trip 2012

Kwjet on 'Mamma Africa' Highline

Just few days ago, after one month in Morocco, the SWEL team came back to Europe. It was an amazing experience for all of us. For Jordan and Janek it was also a reconnection, first with the place where they met 6 years ago, and also with Moha and his family in the guest house in Todra. Over period of 28 days we established 6 new lines (including: 1st highline in Morocco 'Berber Gold' sent FA by Jakub 'Kwjet' Hanuš, 1st highline free-solo and of course longest and highest highline). Besides highlining we occupied our time with climbing, hiking way too much, getting tan, getting sick and experiencing Moroccan food and music. Jordan and Janek climbed in total 24 sport routes up to the grade of 7b+ and 4 multi-pitch routes (1 of them was a solo climb).

Jan bolting the far anchor on the 'Eyes of Fear' Highline

Almost every day was spent accomplishing something, and we definitely didn't have enough rest days.  Everyone got sick, one after the other, and that was really the only time spent resting. Faith was the only person which didn't have to go through it.

Janek sending 'Berber Gold'

Unfortunately we didn't quite make it to Taghia. We had made all the arrangements, spoke to the locals and got the beta on how to get there, and planned to rent mules to make the 2-day hike from the last village into Taghia.  Unfortunately, there was something on the order of 15cm of snow in the mountains, the conditions were horrible, and a german climber had just died trying to open a new route. All in all, the detour cost us 100 Euros, and one day of traveling, and after dinner we were back in Todra. We were very disappointed that this part of our journey was impossible to undertake, but, as always, the weather is something that we cannot control, and of course Moha and Nabir were actually really happy to see us back in the house; 'Todra is the best! Spoko Maroko'

'Berber Gold' from the below ... find Kwjet on the picture

We had the pleasure to work with a new video-maker - 'Kapi Bloga' - a really warm and friendly guy from the Basque country (just don't say that he is Spanish!) and his friend 'Txirrita'. After recovering from his knee injury, Kapi worked very hard the entire trip, and even managed to send 7a+ on his second try - that was awesome to watch. Faith and Kwjet were in the other climbing team sending lots of sport routes and together with Kapi one multi-pitch route on the 'Pillar De Couchant'.

Faith lost in space on the 'Too Much Cous Cous In A Head' Highline

After we returned to Todra, we wasted no time and set up more epic lines in the Gorge. Finding the new lines wasn't easy. A lot of times after 4-6 hours of hiking in a 'killer sun' we arrived at the top, only to find a line that looked incredible from below turn out to be not even worth the hike up there...

Faith on the 'Too Much Cous Cous In A Head' Highline

It's hard to describe everything that happened over such a long period of time so we'll be posting photos and stories from each line separately. Stay tuned for more blogposts, upcoming trailer and full movie from the trip in a few months.

Jan finishing the 'Too Much Cous Cous In A Head' Highline

For now enjoy the list with specs of the lines we've sent in Todra and few shots from Jordan. More galleries coming up soon ('Inshallah', if Jordan's computer will co-operate).

Todra's Sends LIST:
(L - length, H - height, E - exposure)

1) 'Berber Gold' (L: 47m / H: 60m to the notch & 150m to the bottom/ E: 300m),
2) 'Mamma Africa' (L: 49m / H: 70m),
3) 'To Much Cous Cous In A Head' (L: 47m / H: 80m / E: 270m),
4) 'Photos One Dirham!' (L: 17m / H: 60m / E: 270m),
5) 'Very Nice Eyes' (L: 33m / H: 70m / E: 270m),
6) 'Eyes of Fear' (L: 61m / H: 100m / E: 270m).

Jordan and the wild swami exposure turn on the 'Very Nice Eyes' Highline

Last but not least we would like to thank our sponsors Gibbon and Deuter and other supporting brands like Rock Empire, Tendon and HippyTree. Huge thanks goes to Moha's family for hosting us at the 'Hotel Panoramique', Kapi and Txirrita for videotaping, helping and being awesome!

Kwjet being professional ... how to clean the holes without a tube

Jan getting ready for the FA on the 'Eyes of Fear' Highline (OS&FM)

Peace & SlackOn

 Janek

Urban Slackline Terrorists Strike Again!!!

Oh no! The Urban Slackline Terrorists have struck again!  The horror!!!!

Undisclosed location.

We tried to get an early start to avoid all of the people who might be hanging around at the building, as it is well-known for attracting tourists and photographers.  Unfortunately, things don't always go to plan, and Helmar ended up waiting for Jordan for almost an hour.  Of course, Jordan knew that waiting was obviously better because of the lighting conditions of the project, and was careful to plan his schedule according to his photographic spider-sense. 

Upon arriving, we found the situation a little unnerving.  We approached from the bridge above, looked down only to see two surveyors making their way onto the premises. We had no interest in attracting their attention,  so we waited.  Eventually, they walked out of sight, but not so far, and we decided to move down to the staircase and debate what we should do. 

After setting down the gear, we sat on the steps for a while to figure out if we should go ahead with the project; meanwhile, a few guys showed up with camera equipment.  We approached them and asked if perhaps they had a permit to be filming there and if they planned to go inside.  They didn't, and told us that you can't get inside, but we new better :)

We all entered the grounds together, and while the others busied themselves with filming some of the ruins, we began our 'entrance procedure,' which consists of several steps:
1. Climb a tree to gain access to the first roof
2. Walk along sketchy roof to reach broken window
3. attach rope to sharp-edged pillar, crawl through tiny space, and lower 10m down
4. lower backpacks separately because you can't fit with backpack through the crack

They had this building pretty much sealed up tight, except for a few small exceptions which we were able to take advantage of.   We had actually been inside a few weeks before, so we knew how to get inside and had already scoped out the line.  Once again, the plan changed, the original idea was to go from the pillars between the windows, but the location is very near to a well-trafficked road and our cautiousness told us this was not the best idea.  Instead we rigged from two large steel pillars on either side, we couldn't go directly across because there was something hanging in the middle, but the line ended up about 45m long.  We rigged on threaded tubular with a dynamic backup, very loose, Helmar is quoted at saying 1.5 m sag.  

Jordan got on the line first, and had some trouble getting his head straight.  But after a couple of catches, he sent in both directions several times.  Helmar walked onsight fullman, much to the shagrin of Jordan :)
Some kids ended up coming  by and watching for a while, we asked them politely not to make too much noise and try not to draw attention.  'Of course,' they replied.  Then we hear from the side of the building closest to the Subway platform, that they are using rocks to try and break the lock on the large metal door...
But all in all, a good day :)

no police, a new line, slacklife.
We were really really really hoping that Janek could be there with us, but unfortunately he couldn't make it, but we both walked the line an extra time for him :)

Erotic Narcotic

The last project from Moab, Erotic Narcotic, accomplished over three days along with a new aid route 'Dubstep Ladder' from andy.  

The weather was not ideal but it made for fun times and nice pictures, so we hope you enjoy!

Full gallery here:

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/eroticnarcotic.php

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/eroticnarcotic.php

Lighthouse Tower Lines

A couple of new lines from the iconic lighthouse tower at big bend, 'easy assecc' and 'shenis'

Full gallery is here: 

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/lighthousegallery.php

Corona Arch Photos

Some photos from the corona arch madness, rope jumps, hang-climbing, and a pretty sick line.

Full gallery here:

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/moabcoronagallery.php

Moab Gifs

Here are a couple gif projects, perhaps they give more of a 'being there' feeling...

only posting one here, because otherwise it would just be too chaotic, but check out the other links as well.

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/ggby1.php

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/ggby2.php

Climbing

A few climbing pics from so called 'rest days' and after dinner sessions at brent's place.  

Full gallery here: 

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/moabclimbinggallery.php

It had to be snakes!!!

Number 2

Click here for the full gallery:

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/cobragallery.php

Moab 2011 First Gallery

So finally we have the first gallery from the Moab trip 2011, check out the full gallery here:

http://www.somewhereelseland.com/moab11agallery.php

Stay tuned for more soon :)