GET TO KNOW ANIA PRZEDLACKA
CLIMB CULTURE ARTIST
Polish climber and illustrator based in UK. Surgeon when not climbing/climber when not operating. Loves illustrating women in sports and capturing the spirit of all the outdoors adventures.WHY DO YOU CLIMB?
Where do I even begin : ) I started climbing at the end of high school – it was love at first sight and this feeling has never left me for the last twenty years! I’ve had my ups and downs and a couple of longer breaks due to an injury but climbing always somehow makes it back into my life. There is just nothing else that gives me the same feeling of completeness and being in a state of full focus, where nothing else matters. I love the adventures and travelling that are such a huge part of the climbing life.
3 PROUDEST CLIMBING ACHIEVEMENTS
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The fact that I’m still climbing! I did not think that would be possible after the hand injury I suffered a few years ago. Having to stop climbing at that point felt like the toughest breakup ever.
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Building a home climbing wall on a houseboat on the River Thames in London with my partner during the latest lockdown and discovering how much fun training can be. We had to compensate for the small height of the boat with a very steep overhang so it’s a real monster!
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I still remember the feeling after leading my first 7a in Osp in Slovenia which used to be a mecca for Polish climbers. I think I would still remember all the moves : )
MOST MEMORABLE CLIMB
Doing my first multipitch route this summer! My partner and I became obsessed with multipitch climbing during lockdown – we talked about it day and night, we watched all the videos that ever existed, we drooled over guidebooks, choosing potential routes. We even built a little anchor station on the deck of our houseboat, which we were constantly hanging off, belaying each other to the dismay and joy of our neighbours. The first day that the lockdown was lifted and we were allowed to travel, we left at the dawn and drove to Cheddar Gorge. After the lockdown climbing starvation, we felt like we were at least in the Yosemites! The route was beautiful, the conditions were incredible, every move felt perfect and everything went so well. It felt like it was a dream come true.
CURRENT PROJECT / GOAL
My current goal is to stay focused and keep the motivation for training in hope that one day it will be possible to travel again! Our climbing trip to Sardinia was cut short last year and I would love to go back there and explore in a camper van all the climbing regions we did not manage to see!
