Jonathan Siegrist, 39, does Tre Mou Polacche (9a)

Jonathan Siegrist, with 83 routes 9a and beyond under his belt, has repeated Tre Mou Polacche (9a) in Arco. ”Opening boulder and then crazy resistant style with nowhere to hide for like 30 moves straight! Very unique route and rock - awesome vision Gabri [Moroni].” (c) Fallon Rowe

What made you return to Europe and what are your winter plans?
Actually we never left 😆. Well that's not true I went to North America for 8 days in the middle of November for a team trip. Bascially after we left Ceuse we came to Italy - to Arco. I have always wanted to check this place out and I am so psyched I finally did! I've had a really hard time with the cold recently (I have very dry skin and I suffer to find good friction in the cold), but at a minimum it has been awesome to finally see a bunch of areas in Arco and I can't wait to come back next year. For now I badly need some mental and physical rest.. and some time at home / training time as I have been traveling since June.

This winter I am so psyched to get some mental and physical rest. I have a few injuries I am recovering from that I need to address and I want to feel refreshed mentally to get after some goals in '25. I'll start the heavy training sometime in January and then I will be back in Europe in March.

What are the differencies doing 9a’s at 39 compared to at 25?
Haha. Yeah it is for sure different. I actually feel stronger and better than when I was 25, and like I can still improve! The big difference is that I need more rest now, and I have to be attentive to any issues that come up in my body to prevent injury. I also have more responsibility now so climbing is not always top priority. The important lesson I have finally learned over the last 2 years is that I need to have more frequent periods of intentional training and intentional rest throughout my year. Training is hard on the body but so easy on the mind and so predictable. Outside projects are a bit easier on the body but can be very hard emotionally and painfully unpredictable with weather, etc. It's all a balance! I have big ambitions still in my climbing and if I want to continue to improve, I really have to pay attention and be open to learning and adaptation.