Tobias Haller

Name: Tobias Haller
DOB: 1986
Interview: Moon Climbing / January 2013

Moon Climbing – When and where did you start climbing?
Tobias -  I started climbing some 16 years ago when a took a climbing course in school.

Moon Climbing – Do you have a favourite style of climbing (traditional, sport, bouldering etc)? 
Tobias - I used to just sport climb for many years but since about 8 years or so I focused mainly on bouldering.

Moon Climbing – You are stuck on a desert island with just one route and one boulder. Which ones would you choose and why? 
Tobias -  Good question!! I would probably choose Bloc Bruno from Magic Wood as I think it would keep me busy for a while … )

Moon Climbing – Who is your climbing hero or inspiration and why? 
Tobias -  I don’t really have a climbing hero, but Fred Nicole is really inspiring. He seems to just get stronger over the years which gives me confidence that I’ll be able to stick to bouldering for many more years …

Moon Climbing - How often do you climb?
Tobias -  On average about 4 days a week.

Moon Climbing – Where and how often do you train and for how many hours per week? 
Tobias -  I mainly train at the Tivoli gym in Innsbruck but I also consider rock climbing as training. Roughly 12 hours a week.

Moon Climbing – What kind of training do you do? 
Tobias - Mainly bouldering. Some campusing and hangboarding from time to time. Apart from that, I consider working on a project as a very good training as well. The fastest way to get strong is when you have a project where you keep falling off on the last moves.

Moon Climbing - Your top training tip or tips?
Tobias -  If you don’t feel psyched when you start training go home and come back tomorrow. Nothing worse than walking home after a training session and not feeling tired …

Moon Climbing – The climbing achievement you are most proud of and why? 
Tobias -  Probably the first ascent of “Knockin on heaven’s door”, V12 in Zillertal. It’s been a longstanding project that goes up the most impressive line on that huge boulder in the Sundergrund area. Sending that problem made a dream come true and released a maximum amount of adrenalin to my body. Check out the video: http://vimeo.com/19047385

Moon Climbing - What is your opinion on competitions? Good, bad or indifferent?
Tobias -  Comps are fun, but climbing outside on real rock is even more fun. I did a lot of competitions in my younger days but right now I’m more psyched on travelling and bouldering around the world.

Moon Climbing – Your goals for 2013? 
Tobias - I will be finishing my studies in economics in summer this year and the plan is to go on another around the world trip. South Africa, Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand are on the list. Until then, I have some unfinished business down in Ticino where I’ll probably spend most of spring time.