Climbing is not just a sport, but a way of living and feeling the mountains, the rock, and one's own body. With this series of interviews, we want to discover the most authentic and personal side of climbers, going beyond performance and numbers.
Today, we have the pleasure of getting to know Marta better, our ambassador and climber, who tells us about her connection with climbing, her habits, and, of course, her relationship with Lazyghost chalk.
Every climber has a moment when they fall in love with rock. When did that happen for you and how?
For me, it was love at first sight! My parents climbed but stopped before I was born; then a childhood friend took me to the crag for the first time when I was 17. At that time, I was boxing, but my passion for climbing took over and I never stopped! It was summer, during school holidays, and I remember desperately begging for rides (I didn't have a license!) and belays from everyone (including my mother) just to find a way to go to the crag!
Everyone has a ritual before starting a pitch or a boulder problem. What's yours?
Double check with my climbing partner, fist bump, big smile, chalk up, and two deep breaths!
If you could describe climbing with a single word, what would it be and why?
Freedom, because that's how being in contact with the rock and enjoying that feeling makes me feel.
Hands are a climber's main tool. What is your relationship with yours? Do you take special care of them?
Hmm, let's say it depends on the season! I have pretty good skin, so they don't need special care, but if I plan to climb many days in a row, I make an effort to apply a specific, natural cream (Spontanea Project) every evening to facilitate skin regrowth. In winter, they usually need more hydration, so I'm a bit more consistent. I always have sandpaper and a razor blade in my backpack just in case :)
And with chalk? Are you one of those who plunge their hands into the bag or do you use it sparingly?
I'm a serial compulsive chalker, my bad! But I'm trying to stop, so I put a little at a time in the bag to avoid waste :)
If your chalk had a superpower, what would it be?
The superpower of invisibility: that way I wouldn't leave a trace and wouldn't ruin anyone's onsight attempt!
If Lazyghost were a climbing partner, how would you describe it?
Lazy, of course!
Last question: any advice for someone who's just starting to climb and still has baby-soft hands?
Climb, Climb, Climb!
