Roeland van Oss
"The outdoors gives me perspective and gives me a beautiful natural environment to enjoy myself in, but also to push myself and to find my limits. For me climbing is a combination of this beautiful environment, sharing with others, pushing myself and having the feelings of freedom and complete focus packed together."
Can you share a short backstory on how you got into the outdoors and your particular discipline?
My dad use to take us climbing maybe once a year when we where kid with my siblings. Doing this he gave us a huge gift, the passion for the outdoors and seeking adventures. When I moved to university in Toulouse, I finally had the opportunity access climbing, I first went to the climbing gym (Sylvain Thiabaud, Rab athlete as well, was teaching there at the time), I started to travel to Spain and slowly going more to the crags. I love every vertical practice: multi-pitch, bouldering, sport climbing and more and more ice climbing. Lately my eyes are turning more to big wall and adventurous projects.
We would love to know about your life, and interests unrelated to outdoors, or mountain sports?
I work as an IFMGA Mountain Guide on climbing skiing and expeditions. I also offer consulting and coaching on matters of leadership, teamwork and personal relations within organisations, companies and 1-1 with individuals.
I'm also a huge fan of the Dire Straits, which had some massive hits in the year of 1978, when I was born!
Notable Ascents:
2008: attempt on K2, got to C3 (7100m)
2013: first Dutch ascent of Moonflower, Mount Hunter, Alaska
2015: Denali Cassin Ridge in 22,5 hours
2016: attempt on Cholatse North Face
2017: Peak Lenin (7134m) with clients
2018: Manaslu (old summit, just before main summit) - 8163m, without O2 or sherpa support
2021: attempt on Everest
2022: Climbing4Climate. All 82 4000m peaks of the Alps in 78 days, on own power (walking and biking) - Read the full story here.
We are proud to work with a team of extraordinary athletes who push the limits of their chosen discipline – and our gear – in all corners of the world.