Austrian Daniela Zech has been dedicated to upcycling climbing ropes for a decade. Since 2018 she has also been processing used ropes from climbing professionals such as Stefano Ghisolfi and lets the climbing stories associated with them live on.
Born in 1979 in a small Austrian village Daniela Zech dedicated itself to upcycling climbing ropes almost ten years ago. She makes wallets, camera straps and belts from old climbing ropes and breathes new life into them.
In her Pro-Line she uses climbing ropes that have made history. Matching this, we are giving away a wallet made from the rope, with which Stefano Ghisolfi which originally rated 9c Bibliography climbed (more information about the raffle at the end of the article).
Upcycling - An infectious idea
While in the initial phase it was mainly climbing halls or sports shops that supported this idea with donations of material, since 2018 more and more climbing professionals have been impressed by Daniela Zech's idea. In total, more than 20 athletes are currently among the supporters of their label nope (Sew).
Awareness of ne-ia grew after athletes such as Babsi Zangerl, Jacopo Larcher and Beat Kammerlander became enthusiastic about this sustainable production and supported Daniela Zech with their ropes.
This initial spark followed in addition to those already mentioned Roger Schäli, Gerhard Hoerhager, Angy Eiter, Anna Stoehr and Kilian Fischhuber, Alex Huber, the Pou brothers, Me Kemeter, Caroline Ciavaldini and James Pearson, Jorg Verhoeven, Catherine Sauerwein, Michi Wohlleben, Alex Luger, Siebe Vanhee, Nadine Wallner and the last new additions: Laura Rogora and Lena Marie Muller.
«Each climbing rope has its own personal story.»
Daniela Zech
Every climbing rope tells a story
By supporting these athletes, Daniela Zech is able to create accessories that tell very special stories: stories of first ascents, expeditions or repetitions of some of the most difficult routes in the world by the best climbers in the world.
Each climbing rope has its own personal story, and the mother of two notices this while working with the ropes: “They bring me back a bit to the rock face and let me share in these special stories. This feeling, this special feature lives on in the products,” says Daniela Zech with conviction.
Picture gallery: The Ghisolfi bibliography wallet is born
Raffle: The Stefano Ghisolfi bibliography wallet
We raffled off a wallet from Daniela Zech's Pro-Line. The artist made this out of exactly the rope with which Stefani Ghisolfi laid the world-class route in Ceüse Bibliography scored. The lucky winner and new owner of the Stefano Ghisolfi bibliography wallet is Susi Schneiders. Congratulations!
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Credits: Cover picture Adrian Martinez