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How to find your comfort zone in extreme conditions
When your mode of outdoor exploration is scaling craggy rock faces and moody ice formations, some degree of risk and discomfort is to be expected. Here, pro climber and Haglöfs ambassador Maria Granberg talks about the art of finding your comfort zone on the wall amid risky terrain and extreme conditions, and how she took advantage of the L.I.M Z|T system during her latest ice climbing adventure in Norway.
“Then it shifts from being a rather uncomfortable sport to something much more fluid, playing on the fine line between big, bold power moves and a cautious focus on the next unknown step up the wall.”
You recently completed an ice climb in Norway with Martin “Bruce” Lundberg. What was that experience like?
We have been climbing together for about seven years, so we’re quite a tight-knit team by now. Doing gnarly projects with him is always fun and colored by a sense of play and curiosity, so to say that his passion for ice climbing is contagious would be an understatement.
Climbing ice certainly requires a different approach than climbing a rock face. What do you find most challenging and how do you approach it?
Staying dry, warm and getting enough blood flow to the hands and fingers are definitely crucial codes that I’ve had to crack. Staying focused is another. You don’t want to take a whipper when you’re climbing ice and the fear of falling can sometimes be distracting and chip away at your performance. Mindfully progressing and expanding your comfort zone is key, at least it has been for me, but once you find the pace in which you flow the most the challenges will start to fuel you rather than frighten you.
What was the biggest highlight of this particular climb?
That moment when I’m leading a pitch and I become completely absorbed in the movement, trusting my body, my tools and the ice. Then it shifts from being a rather uncomfortable sport to something much more fluid, playing on the fine line between big, bold power moves and a cautious focus on the next unknown step up the wall.
You have been a part of the Haglöfs Outsiders by Nature family as an ambassador since 2020 and have completed many great and challenging tours. Do you have a favorite Haglöfs product?
One of the things that I appreciate most about Haglöfs is their commitment to continuously evolving and finding new ways to bridge the gap between innovative ideas and the knowledge of their athletes. It’s exciting to see how that comes to show in their new L.I.M Series where the Z|T Down Jacket has become my absolute favorite piece of clothing. It’s warm, lightweight, packable, extremely well fitted and has all the necessary details without the weight of any unessentials.
You spend a lot of time in the mountains in extreme weather. How does the L.I.M Series Z|T System help you adapt to different conditions and improve your performance?
Nailing your layering system when you’re out in the mountains for a long time is the key to staying dry, warm and safe. When you know how to keep those margins on your side it helps you to move efficiently, save energy and ensure that your performance is where it needs to be. I climb in environments where the conditions vary a lot, ranging from extreme heat and heavy rain to snowfall and -40 below temps. The gear that I use needs to be as changeable as the weather itself and the Z|T System provides not only that but also more function with less weight which is crucial when moving heavy expedition loads.
Do you notice a difference compared to other layering systems?
The movability and breathability of these layers makes them extremely comfortable especially when moving in more technical terrain. It’s easier to get rid of excess heat when you’re pushing hard and you find yourself not having to change layers as frequently, making you more efficient and less prone to get cold.
“The gear that I use needs to be as changeable as the weather itself and the Z|T System provides not only that but also more function with less weight which is a crucial part when moving heavy expedition loads.”