Hello wild wild world!
Valandre© is a producer of high altitude down sleeping bags and jackets for extreme expeditions on high mountains, based in the French Pyrenees.

South Korea has more to offer than Hyundai cars and Samsung smartphones – actually they have a wild unbridled culture, where style is key.

JB KIM

JB KIM works in the marketing department of Black Yak in Seoul. JB graduated from law school at the University of Seoul, but his attachment to mountaineering drove him to develop what he calls: The NOMAD STYLE.

Korean NOMAD STYLE is a mixture of engaged high altitude climbing mixed with Rock & Roll and sex. NOMADE STYLE people naturally attend funerals of climbing friends in a suit….but it does not necessarily need to be clean.

JB KIM is a creative NOMAD STYLE climber, and besides working at Black Yak, JB fiddles around with videos. In the video above you can meet JB KIM in the role of “the diver” in the SINCITY video.

Climbing in the Val Vierge zone of the Calanques

Val Vierge – Escalade dans les Calanques

Val Vierge – rock climbing in the Calanques in South France. Another amazing film made by Paul Régnier who shows the different aspects of climbing in this range. For decades climbers from Marseille have measured their talents on these cliffs . The GIP (The Public Interest Group) who’s aim is to prepare the future National Park of the Calanques, have decided to create a major integrated reserved zone, forbidden for climbing. Once again our space is restrained, by decisions by deciders who do not really know the Calanques. The climbers pronounced IN FAVOUR of the creation of a National Park, and they have even initiated it. But if they ARE in favor of the protection of this natural environment, they are not willing to accept displaced prohibitions, which do not serve the major interest of the Calanques.

Val Vierge – Escalade dans les Calanques. Un autre film intéressant de Paul Régnier qui nous nous montre différents aspects de l’escalade dans ce massif. Depuis des décennies, les grimpeurs marseillais ont mesurés leur talent sur ces falaises. Le GIP (groupement d’intérêt public) dont le but est de préparer le futur parc national des calanques, a décidé la création de vastes zones de réserves intégrales interdites à l’escalade. Une fois de plus notre espace se restreint, par la décision de décideurs qui ne connaissent pas véritablement les calanques. Les grimpeurs se sont prononcés POUR la création d’un parc national. Ils en sont même à l’initiative. Mais si ils veulent la sauvegarde de cet espace naturel, ils ne se soumettent pas à des interdictions déplacées et qui ne répondent pas aux enjeux majeurs des calanques.

The Directissime of the Concave

High altitude – no ox – in alpine style, is our passion, but in alpinism you find an ocean of different passionate directions. In the south of France (Marseille region), local climbers “train” in the Calanques. And to these climbers, the Calanques natually have it’s Eiger Nordwand, or El Cap: “La directissime de la Concave”. This unique line, offers a 35m (115ft) overhang out of 90m (295ft) with a total height of 135m (443ft). This route/line was opened in 1966 by G Livanos and M Vaucher. French cotations: L1:IV; L2: A2, L3: A2; L4: A1; L5: A1/IV+. The pitons are the original from 1966….a bit rusty….but that’s how it is!

Oktober 6th 2011 French climbers Pierre-Olivier Blanc and Paul Regnier, took an early start, and climbed this mystical route, beading in the beautiful autumn sun light of the Calanques in South France. Paul Regnier shot and mixed the video.

Continue reading “The Directissime of the Concave” »

ICI Sports Tokyo

 ICI Sports Tokyo receives delivery (Nov 2th 2011) of Nolik’s work on the Japanese version of www.valandre.com. It’s not a simpel translation it’s the “Japoniard” version! (Japoniard = Japanese living in Chamonix). At times even Tokyo takes a blow!

NORIKO NAKANO

 I have been waiting for her return from Japan after 6 years. Nolik is a born professional from Chamonix, daughter of TORU NAKANO. Japanese Himalayan climber and photographer.

Some of the most difficult and the most dangerous routes was opened by Japanese in the alpes and in the Himalayas…..so one can only sit and waite, to see the dimention She will break into now.

Valandre is on belay…..Nolik!

中野 則子 | Mrs Noriko Nakano
営業アシスタント – ジャポン | Japan Sales Assistant
nolik@valandre.com
www.valandre.com