A beginner's mind

There is no doubt that Eva loves the mountains. We have learned that much in the five years she has been part of the Nøsen team. And still we wonder a little, because she never seems to get enough. Her free time goes on even more mountains. Holidays mean days in a tent, new mountain areas, glaciers and summit tours, often with Surya, her Border Collie, as her only company.

There are rumours too. They say Eva hangs out with some of the toughest climbers in the area, and that they play on rock faces with hardly any holds. We are talking about climbing sheer, almost smooth walls, in shoes so tight the foot curves like a ballet dancer's at the Opera, on finger holds so small that only the last joint of one or two fingers fits.

Tell us, Eva, what is it with you and the mountains?

"It is a very intimate relationship! That is the truth. In the mountains and in climbing I have found something I do not want to let go of. Something that has been hard to find anywhere else, except perhaps on the yoga mat. I think it is clarity, sharp focus, peace in the head.

When I am alone in the mountains with my dog, I am independent. I make decisions and I do not give up. I simply feel that I take responsibility for my life in a very basic way. It is a good feeling. And of course I tell people where I am, at least May-Rita (assistant general manager at Nøsen), because she always worries (hehe)."

We who know you know you are not a show-off, but we are curious. How hard are the routes you climb?

"I only started climbing a year ago. Climbing is completely new to me, but in a way it is also a little familiar. Climbing is like being on a hike where the path is very steep and very challenging.

Routes are graded, but that means nothing. It is like yoga practice: it does not matter whether you practise half the first series or the third series. What matters is the intention with which you do yoga, or climb. Is the intention to get stronger or more flexible just to show it off to the whole world? Or is the goal to challenge what limits you, to become braver and mentally stronger?

Sometimes I fall on the easiest routes, other times I am like a mountain goat. Why? The answer is always the same: when I am mentally in balance, I am also focused, and then it usually goes well. But to answer your question, the hardest route I have climbed is an indoor route graded 8-. It took me half a year. I was afraid they would take the route down and set a new one before I managed it (hehe)."

Finally, how do you think yoga and climbing go together?

"Climbing is great for the physical side of yoga, in that it builds muscles that protect the joints. That much is fairly obvious. What is less obvious is how many elements of yoga there are in climbing: how much focus it takes to make small movements, how calm you have to be, that you have to breathe even when it is hard, and that you must not be distracted even when a swarm of wasps buzzes round your ankles. It has been wonderful to come to an activity with a completely blank page, with no prior knowledge. The mind is so open and ready to learn. Being a beginner is great."