Babsi Zangerl and Melissa Le Neve Crushing 5.14s
As covid-19 restrictions lift, climbers are proving that a month of training goes a long way
The self-isolation that covid-19 forced climbers into around the world doesn’t seem to have taken much away from their rock climbing abilities. Many climbers are coming out stronger, thanks to eight weeks of forced stay-home-and-train time.
Babsi Zangerl has sent Unleashed 5.14c and the 45-metre Instructor 5.14c/d in Bregenzerwald. Zangerl’s partner, Jacopo Larcher, made the first ascent of Instructor not long ago. “We trained at home for one month,” said Zangerl. “We got a training setup from evolution climbing and combined hangboard campusing and some core training.
Melissa Le Neve recently sent Christian Bindhammer’s Bionic Commando 5.14c in Bavaria after seven sessions. The French 30-year-old climbed the steep power endurance route after one week of work. “I was lucky to be in Bavaria (Germany) and there was no lockdown like in France, Spain or Italy,” said La Neve. “Only some social restrictions and hygiene measures. There is plenty of crags so the important thing is to keep social distancing and if somebody is already trying the route you want to try you bail and you find a plan b.”
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