Keeping the Faith – Climbing in Israel with Ofer Blutrich
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When Ofer Blutrich clipped the chains of Chris Sharma’s Mind Control on April 9,
he became the first Israeli climber to send 5.14c—a grade that does not yet exist in his home country.
Despite the recent boom of climbing gyms in Israel, outdoor route development still lags behind the rest of the world, though, not for lack of rock quality
or motivation. One factor above all has hampered Israel’s climbing scene: climbing is, for the most part, illegal.
So how does a climber stay motivated?
“For me, it’s believing that change will come,” Blutrich told Rock and Ice in a previous interview, “and I will keep trying to do what I have done so far—push against all odds!”
Follow Ofer Blutrich on his website oferblutrich.com, on Facebook and on Instagram @oferblutrich
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Ofer Blutrich Sends Mind Control – First Israeli to Climb 5.14c