If you wonder what a mountaineer who has spent more than half of his life climbing is like, below these lines you will find the answer. Jonatan Larrañaga has been dedicating himself to mountain climbing since he was 15, where he has experienced very fascinating and , sometimes painful. The passion he feels for this sport has made him overcome all the obstacles that have been put in his way and he has lived wonderful moments with his friends and colleagues, who are united by ties that go beyond a simple friendship.
Since he was little he knew that his thing would be to explore beautiful landscapes, go on expeditions and dedicate himself to a hobby that became his profession: climbing.
Yumping.- For those who don't know you, tell us, what is Jonatan like in his daily life?
Jonatan Larrañaga.- A mountain fanatic, in all mountaineering disciplines. I like to enjoy adventure, teammates, travel, and everything good that surrounds this sport. Depending on the time of year, I tend to do a type of activity that resembles mountain conditions, whether ice, skiing, freeride, rock climbing...
Y.- You are about to turn 30 and you are an expert in mountain sports. Tell us, how did you decide to embark on this experience?
J.L.- The truth is that I have been lucky to be able to enjoy the mountains 100% since I was little. I have had a lot of support from my family and that, along with motivation, has led me to be able to live off the mountain.
Y.- I read that at 19 years old you were already guiding clients to the very top of Mont Blanc... Did you turn your hobby into a profession?
J.L.- At the age of 18 I began training as a high mountain guide at the Spanish school in Benasque and at the age of 25 I became the youngest guide in our country. The truth is that I was very clear about it since I was little and it has also helped me to share the rope with some of the best guides and mountaineers in the world.
Y.- In all professions the beginnings are usually hard, apart from the protrusions of some rocks, did you have any difficult obstacles to overcome?
J.L.- This profession has the tragic side of the mountain and you are exposed many days to what are called objective dangers (stone falls, avalanches, seracs), are things that do not depend on you and finally the luck factor comes into this game. Unfortunately, I have had to experience several accidents very closely, in which several colleagues have lost their lives. Many times you wonder if it is worth continuing, but there is something within each one that pushes you to continue climbing.
Y.- The family, normally, tends to oppose their children being in danger. How was your work received at home?
J.L.- As I mentioned previously, I have had full support at home and that is a plus. Since I was little I did a lot of mountaineering in Euzkadi and that is how my journey in the mountains began. From that time I have a special memory of an ascent I made to Naranjo de Bulnes when I was about 15 years old, where my mind opened when we reached the top in winter. And from that experience I started mountaineering to the fullest.
Y.- For our readers and members of the Yumping.com Community, what advice would you give them before starting in climbing?
J.L.- May they enjoy the moment and the environment that surrounds them.
Y.- Among so many mountains and such dispersed places that you have been to throughout your career, what is the place that you remember with special affection?
J.L.- There are many recommended destinations, but for me Pakistan is a point and apart. Within what is the Himalayas, the Karakorum mountain range is special, not only because of the mountains, but also the people, the culture, the orography. It is an amazing country.
Within Europe I prefer Chamonix, in my opinion it is the mecca of mountaineering.
And.- Tell us the anecdote that has had the most impact on you while practicing climbing.
J.L.- I recently had to go to a rescue in Pakistan, since a friend was trapped on a ledge at about 6,500 meters high on LatokII (7,100m). This has been the most intense experience I have had in the mountains. We had to leave Óscar up there and the truth is that he is left with a bad body that is indescribable.
Y.- In your sport it is very important that there is great camaraderie, especially when you go on long-distance expeditions. How is the coexistence between the team?
J.L.- Very good, I am lucky to share the rope with some of my best friends and that when you go outside is very important. There has to be good vibes in the environment for everything to run smoothly. normal. I think it is one of the most beautiful things about the mountain.
And.- One of the worst moments, without a doubt, has to be when in the middle of a route the weather breaks down and prevents you from continuing. Is it very hard to have to abandon the route because of this issue?
J.L.- There are times when the summit is in the background and it is more worthwhile to descend than to be exposed to avalanches. It also depends on the type of mountain or wall you are ascending, the climbing approach you have taken and a few technical factors that are very difficult to convey in a few lines.
And.- What is the best thing you take away from each adventure?
J.L.- There are many beautiful moments: freedom, the landscape, solitude, effort and above all the good moments you share with colleagues.
And.- What is the worst thing you have had to experience?
J.L.- In the guide course we had a fatal accident, in which a good friend lost his life in an avalanche, while we were ascending a north face in the Alps. This is one of the most tragic moments I have ever had.
Y.- What did you feel in 2007 when you received the award for the best Basque mountaineer awarded by the Euzkal Mendizale?
J.L.- Nothing special, I was happy about it, since they recognized the trajectory of the last few years. But I'm not very passionate about mountain awards.
And.- What will be your next adventure?
J.L.- I have several interesting projects in mind. But for me the adventure is day by day, since in the end where you climb the most is close to home. Expeditions nourish you a lot, but there are a few external factors that determine when it comes to reaching the summit.
And.- Climber... until the body can hold out, right?
J.L.- Yes, I think that except for injuries, it is a sport that you can practice for many years. I have friends who, at 50 years old, are doing very high-level activities and continue with the same enthusiasm as when they started.
