Mailsail - Jens Holsten

Finally, after years of big mountains, injuries and full time winemaking, the stars have aligned and Jens Holsten is feeling the pressure to get it done. Featuring a proud new line in the beautiful Icicle Canyon outside of Leavenworth, WA.

Film by Max Hasson - http://maxhasson.com

Jens: New Route SW Poincenot

Just had this quick email in from Jens who's currently out in Patagonia, where he and fellow climbers Mike Schaefer and Joel Kauffman have just had an epic 3 days on the South West Face of Poincenot.

Photo: Joel Kauffman collection, check Planet Kauffman in the coming days for more photos and more stories 

Jens...


"Hope life is good in the UK and that you are enjoying the holiday season.


Wanted to give you the most current update from down south...warm temperatures have made our ice objectives on the west side of the Torres suicidal at the moment, so we changed focus and chose a wild first ascent objective on the south face of Poincenot, one of the most beautiful big walls in Patagonia.


Two days ago, Joel Kauffman, Mike Schaefer, and I finished our 900 meter first ascent that proved to be one of the most difficult climbs of our lives. I am so grateful to have lived this experience. 


Our climb took three days and involved several types of climbing including difficult aid climbing on a wild steep big wall. A malfunctioning stove caused severe dehydration and several other crazy events happened as well. We are all safe, but barely functioning at the moment...trying to come back to life here! Once we have recovered a bit I will send some amazing material your way. We shot video and pictures and have a wild, wild story to tell"


We look forward to hearing more in the coming days!!!

Jens: Patagonia Update

I recieved this email in from Jens in the early hours of this morning with a quick update of what he's been up to down in Patagonia.

 

"Hope life is well in the UK...just firing you a quick note to let you know that I am here in Patagonia with all the right kit thanks to you and the great folks at ME! So far the weather has been challenging, which has not allowed us to try our main objectives, but never the less we have been giving it our best.

Joel Kauffman and I tried a new route on Pier Giorgio, a large formation that has only seen a few ascents. Rapidly warming temps difficult conditions made for a dangerous outing and we left the route before even really getting started...we were bummed out to say the least, but managed to make due with a repeat of a nice classic route on a beautiful, but smaller formation called Aguja Guillomet. Most importantly, we stayed alive!

Tomorrow we are heading into the Torre Valley to stash the ice gear for the main event. We have about 36 hours of decent weather ahead which we hope to use to get our gear in position. When the real weather window appears we will be ready to strike!

I've attached a photo of a climb up Guillomet to give you an idea of how beautiful the climbing is here! Once again, thanks so much, look for a blog post soon, and take care

Jens"


All Photos: Joel Kauffman collection, check Planet Kauffman in the coming days for more photos and more stories 

Jens Holsten Lecture: A life in the Vertical World

Were please to announce that ME Pro partner Jens Holsten will be lecturing at Redmond Vertical World, Redmond, WA at 4pm on Saturday 12th November'12.

Jens...

"As climbers and humans, we never know when our journey will end. Of course, it is impossible to see the future with all it's unimaginable twists and turns. We wake up each day and take the next step.

Although times to come are hard to predict, the roots of personal evolution can be looked back upon and added up to reach a sum of who we are today. Fifteen years agon I stepped into the Redmond Vertical World for my first time. That junior high after school activity sparked a passion that still drives my life to this day. Since that time I have worked extensively with The Vertical World as an instructor and route setter. Although the last six years have seen me squishing grapes for money, I am excited to head back to the Redmond VW for a slideshow presentation on November 12th. All the adventures I've had so far in this life blossomed from the skills, friendship, and work ethic instilled in me during those dusty days slapping plastic. I am excited to share photos and stories from my journey as a climber that continues on and on, and on..."

If your in the Redmond, Washington state area make sure you come along and check Jens lecture out

More information available at Redmond Vertical World

Jens Holsten: Kit review

ME Pro partner "newbie" Jens Holsten has just posted a short review of some of the bits of ME kit he's been using on his ventures during the past few months.

Head over to his blog to check out the full post and what he's been getting up too here

Guerrillas in the Mist - Direct

Head over to ME Pro partner Jens Holsten's blog here to check out his account of "Guerrillas in the Mist - Direct " on Mount Stuart, Cascades. 

Welcome to the team - Jen's Holsten

We are pleased to announce a new addition to our Pro partner team... Jens Holsten.

Jens is a alpinist/rock climber based out of Leavenworth, Washington, USA who is fast establishing himself on the US Climbing scene with both his impressive of tick-list of climbs and writing style. 

Over this past winter Jen's has been busy putting up new routes in Patagonia such as Jardines Japoneses (650m, 5.10 A1 AI4 M5) with Mikey Schafer and Colin Haley (more info here) as well as several new lines in his backyard of the Cascades, he has also just returned from climbing trip to Yosemite.  

Below are a few shots of Jen's putting some of of AW11 Styles to the test out on Mt. Huntington, Alaska back in early June’11.

You can read more about Jen's and his recent exploits over at his blog here