Jan and Jules do mountaineering together: ‘The high mountains are the coolest things’

How did you both take up mountaineering?

Jan: “My parents and I used to go to mountains for holidays and when I was 10 I started rock climbing. When Jules and I were 14, we joined the same children’s club. After that, by coincidence, we both started studying at TU Delft.

Jules: “We joined Yeti, the student climbing association, which promoted mountaineering courses. We decided to join and from then on I knew that high mountains are the coolest things. I want to devote all my time, money and energy to high mountains.”

Jan: “And we have now both been selected for the Expeditie Academie (expedition academy). This is one of the NKBV’s activities. The NKBV is the national body that organises everything around mountain sports. The course will train us to become all-round mountaineers in two-and-a-half years and we will be able to climb uncharted territories.”

So you have climbed for 10 years already together. Are you completely in tune with each other or do things sometimes go wrong during expeditions?

Jan: After so long we know exactly what to expect from each other. I know exactly when I can assume that Jules has something under control and when I have to be watchful.”

Jules: “We have gone through dangerous situations. One was when I just completed my beginner’s course. Jan had a bit more experience, but not that much more. We may have been adept technically, but we had little general knowledge about mountain climbing. We chose a route across a steep snowy mountain ridge. Jan dropped his ice pick – which you push into steep areas to help keep your balance – and I tripped on my boot lace. Stupid beginners’ mistakes that could go wrong in mountains.”

Jan: “It was at the end of the day and the mountain ridge was icier than expected. We were so focused on reaching the summit that we took too many risks. It was a good lesson. Since then we check the effects of the weather on the ground on our route more thoroughly.”

How do combine your trips with your studies?

Jules: “We use all the holiday periods. Summer is high season so we really go for it then. We do rock climbing in South Europe in the Christmas holidays. The TU Delft holiday in February is perfect for ice climbing. Apart from these periods we also take extra free time.”

Jan: “Our top athlete status may not guarantee that we complete our studies successfully, but it does give us flexibility. If you miss something at the start of the quarter, you can catch up. The last quarter was harder as we went on an Expeditie Academie trip just before the exams. This is why I am taking one subject less.

After a training internship going back to sitting in lecture halls always feels a bit surrealistic. I am mentally and physically really tired. But life must simply continue as usual, and even more so as I have to catch up. The change in scene is actually quite motivating.”

Are all the trips and the climbing gear affordable for students?

Jules: “Unfortunately you can’t economise on the expensive materials. That would simply be dangerous. Luckily we have sponsors who help. I also work in a bouldering centre and I can borrow money from DUO. Climbing is also cheaper in summer as you can camp. I have also sublet my room before to cover the costs of the trip.”

What mountain is at the top of your list? 

Jan: “People always expect me to say Mount Everest, but it is very commercial. It often boils down to you paying a hundred thousand euros and someone carting you to the top. Climbing guides decide where you go and what you do.”

Jules: “The Trango Towers in Pakistan. They are very steep on all sides so are real climbers’ mountains.”

Jan: “They are among the most challenging mountains to climb in the world. You need to hike for a week just to get there. Only very experienced climbers can reach the summits. If we really want to do them, we would have to dedicate about two years of our lives to doing so. So it is not realistic at the moment. But for mountaineers, little is more impressive. This is why they are the dream mountains for us both. I even have them as the background picture on my telephone!”