"Each pitch is a challenge, a slippery foot and you immediately feel the adrenaline rush. A protection that is difficult to position is sure to get the arm pump going. Just like ice climbing, I like the principle of trad. Leaving a minimum footprint on the surface you are crossing. To climb a line without fixed protection is to accept getting into trouble. Weighed down with a double set of cams, the extra pounds are felt when the difficulty increases. With trad, you have to accept that the ascent will be slow. First look for the holds necessary for climbing, and above all look for options to place your gear. If the protection is not reliable, add a second or even a third piece of gear, easier said than done when hanging from one hand. Here in the Bavella Valley, Corsica, there is still room for a lot of new projects, so at the end of each session I like to lay down in the grass to eye up potential new lines for the next day." Rab athlete, @jeff_mercier_ Discover more epic athlete stories via the link in bio 👉 📷 @audricproduction #TheMountainPeople #WeAreRab