Jan Štipek, 15, strikes outdoors

Jan Štipek, who won six European IFSC competitions in 2023, has onsigthed 12 routes 8a and beyond including El ball del triceps (8b).

Can you tell us more about your outdoor climbing this autumn?
Since I grew up in the crags on the Elbe sandstone, I couldn’t possibly forget about climbing outside and this year I managed to send a couple of good routes like Pain makes me stronger, every day (8c+) in Frankenjura. (This route seemed easier than 8c+). Then I climbed Ninja želva (8c) in Mišja Peč. After these trips, I got the chance to go to Margalef with Jindřich Hudeček and Richard Litochleb.

I managed to get a lot of good onsights. I sent 8x 8a onsight, 2x 8a+ onsight, and then and Alzeimer brothers (8b+) on my second attempt. I also managed to improve my onsight grade with El ball del triceps (8b).

It was a great trip and I definitely plan to go back there with the routes Pal norte (8c+) and Wild Publico (9a) in mind.

Any specific plans for 2024?
I would definitely like to climb Underground (9a), Sanjski par extension (9a) and the two just mentioned routes in Margalef as well as Temná hmota (8B) boulder, but I’m not much of a projecting type, I prefer onsights. I also have big plans for comps cause I will be able to climb comps for adults.