Concrete 33

First of May or Vappu, as we call it, we were visiting friends in Berlin, so it was a chance to check local climbing scene einbischen-zweinbischen. The curious thing about Berlin is that there is actually no real rock for cranking! 

 

Thats why people climb on various buildings and bunkers, which have been turned into playgrounds for vertical fanatics. Among others, the most classic place is perhaps the Berlin main bunker where the grenade explosion holes are nowadays climbing shapes and holds, crazy. The bunker is mainly tough vertical crimping, little more technical, and above the vertical part is a power draining roof found.

The bunker. Many of the holds were chipped or carved in to the concrete and some rock pieces were glued in. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it, but concrete as a climbing surface was little tricky, have to say.

Kai leading barefoot bunkerwall in Kegel, which is another versatile bouldering-roping place in Berlin.

Second day I cruised to Friedrichshain Volkspark checking the artificial boulder wall. The graffitis give extra slipping momentum to the game. I think that the boulder wall was realized quite well. Kids liked to run up and down the place, sandy ground perfect for soft landings, not dangerously high, quite alot of details carved in. 

It's built in U-shape, there is always some corner in sun or in shade. The shade was needed cos it was rather warm, only +25C. After climbing I usually ate delicious currywurst (sausage) accompanied with a bread roll at the metrostation while waiting my train to arrive. And there are a lot of currywurst places in Berlin, so no need to fear for hunger;)2009-05-31 @ 16:37

Hey man! If in anyplace. Berlin. Berlin I have witnessed crazy climbing. WWar II tanks shoot bunkers.. and now people climb on that.. Speechless. Pure concrete.