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Sterling Athletes Team
Rannveig Aamodt
Athlete Bio
Name: Rannveig Aamodt
DOB: Same as my mom and Lynn Hill: Jan 3
How did you get started climbing? A famous Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer named Arne Næss summed it up by saying that when he was a kid, he didn’t start climbing – everyone else just stopped.
How old were you when you started?
I started rock climbing in my early 20s.
Who or what inspired you to start climbing?
My older brother, a great climber, bought me climbing shoes for my birthday, and brought me along. He and his friends were just dancing up the walls, and I got totally fascinated at how challenging, complex and exiting it was. You could get through sections of rock that looked impossible from the ground. What I liked best of it all was how it captured my mind. When I’m climbing, the rest of the world just disappears. I’m completely in the moment. What’s so cool is that after climbing for years, I still have that feeling of being present while I climb.
I grew up by mountains and I love the feeling of being a part of nature. Climbing teaches me how to work with the world, and not fight against it. (Although sometimes, sends are battles!) You can’t change the rock – you just climb it. I really enjoy the mental aspect of climbing, working with my potential, and exploring the limits of what my body and mind can do. And last, climbing is fun, and it brings me on a lot of adventures around the world.
Who served as your inspiration in life?
I think nature is one of the biggest inspirations in my life. I also get inspired by many people, especially people who have found something they are totally passionate about. I get excited by people who work hard to make their dreams and visions come true, even if it contradicts other people's expectations. I’m inspired by people who have let go of their ego, and who can make fun of themselves.
What was your first outdoor climb?
It was a route called Boromir, at this incredible cliff called Julsenet. It’s by the side of the sea near my home in Norway. It has great exposure, a beautiful view, and it got me psyched.
What do you do when you’re not climbing?
I hang out with my awesome husband. We live part of the year in Norway, and part of the year in Colorado. I’m a student of alternative veterinary medicine and I coach a junior climbing team in Norway in the winter. When summer comes, we go to Colorado and climb all over the place. I travel a lot, go ice climbing, take photos, and do lots of yoga. I also enjoy hiking, backcountry skiing, scuba diving, playing guitar and good espresso!
Any training advice or suggestions?
Follow your inspiration, make goals, work hard, listen to your body, and enjoy and fill the rest days with lots of the good stuff.
What do you feel is your best accomplishment, outside of climbing?
I’m most proud of the way I live my life. I follow my inspiration, I work hard for my vision, and I try to be honest with myself and people around me. One cool “real world” accomplishment outside of climbing was that I spent four months crossing Norway south to north on cross country skis in the middle of winter. It was 3876 km. No cars!
What do you feel is your best accomplishment within climbing?
I’m going to answer this by mentioning some of the things that have given me the most satisfaction – and they aren’t hard boulder problems or routes. But they were, at the time and in my mind, huge for me. I was pretty proud of myself when I lead my first aid pitch. It was on Prodigal Son in Zion, and I’d never done anything like it in my life. I struggled up a C1 crack for something like four hours, but I hung in there. It was definitely an experience.
Another big accomplishment for me was the transition into being completely comfortable climbing trad. It happened in Indian Creek, when, for the first time in my life, I felt solid charging on gear. In Norway there is not much splitter crack climbing, and it’s not a skill you can really train. But over the course of a few days in Utah, I basically learned to climb, and then became obsessed with, tips finger cracks.
Favorite quote?
“Hvorfor være inne når alt håp er ute?”
If you could have 1 superpower what would it be?
Flying! At first I considered element bending, but isn’t that a bit irresponsible?
If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be? (no wishing for more wishes)
I’m not telling! If I keep them secret, they’re going to come true.
What was your favorite childhood cartoon? We barely had a TV, and I still don’t have one.
Shameless self-promotion
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=520846909
Photos courtesy Nathan Welton. Visit his outdoor photography and wedding photography sites.
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