Ostrov Updates

Ostrov is a small village located in Czech Republic just on the border with Germany. It is really quiet place with lots of walls and rock towers around it. It's hard to believe the thick forest wasn't here few decades before and the whole area was covered by fields. Nowadays at some of the local highline spots the trees are almost too high ;)

The coolest place in the whole village is campsite and pub 'Pod Císařem' where you can stay and get some delicious check food and beverage. The pub has it's own character and it is really busy on weekends so actually best time to come and highline is during the week.

Sleeping in 'Pod Císařem' (photo by Jean Geofrrion)

Jordan working in a pub ... (photo by Jean Geoffrion)

Well, I don't think I have to describe this place any more. Most of you probably already have been there  and if not you should definitely come and check out this amazing place. It is great for hiking, biking, climbing and most important ... highlining.

Most of the lines around Ostrov have average height of 20m but you can find anything from lower up to around 50 meters. The length of the lines is even more diverse; you'll be able to choose from multiple already existing lines from 6 up to 96.5 meters range ("Master of Universe" Highline).

Kwjet on the "Master of Universe" back in 2010 (photo by Jordan Tybon)

There is much more potential for mid-sized lines and BIG ones. Depends on the area you can also experienced different kinds of exposure. Most of the lines are in/above the forest or are exposed just one one side but the lines in between rock towers (for example Himmelreich Area).

Himmelreich Area (photo by Jordan Tybon)

In Ostrov rigging the lines is big part of heaving fun. You can not bolt because of the sandstone climbing traditions and ethics so you have to be creative and sling rock towers, blobs, put knots tight on spansets or pieces of wood/rocks as your caming devices in a cracks.

Jan & Kwjet slinging big tower (photo by Jordan Tybon/2010)

Because of all these reasons I really like coming back to Ostrov and it is a great area for practicing and mastering your highlining and free-solo skills. You can send without protection on really mild lines or get REALLY scarred.

FS on the "No Gods No Masters" Highline (28m L/28m H)

OS-FM-FS on the "Rainmaker" aka "Free Some" Highline (14m L/35m H)

This place is not only special to me but my friends and whole slackline community. Faith Dickey is currently leaving in Ostrov, establishing new lines and raging really hard, Jordan Tybon walked his first highline without protection there and the whole area hosted multiple slackline festivals and meetings (including Petzl Slack Trip or annual Girls Only Slackline Festival).

Jordan on the "Alterweg" Highline just before his first freesoloco (photo Jan Galek)

Faith and Jan (Kletter Kiddies) together in Ostrov (photo by Jean Geoffrion)

Lately the SWEL team or its team members were really active in Ostrov. Faith and Jordan set up "Yum Yum" Highline for the German TV show "RTL Nacht Journal". Faith worked together with Kletter Kiddies and the payoff of this cooperation is the movie called 'That Slackline Girl'. I have to admit it's really well done and unique. You can watch it down below:

Also, whole Somewhereelseland Team gathered in Ostrov to shoot footage for a French TV show which should be released really soon. It was really fun times! Faith put up two new female world records sending her longest FS highline ("28 Hertz" 28m L/25m H, FM) and longest highline ("Master of Universe" 96.5m L/25m H, HM). Jordan, Faith and I sent "Czexas" Highline (22m L/22m H, FA: F. Dickey) freesoloco style. I think I had like 10 leashless full-man sends on this line and even added few simple tricks. During that time, Jordan and I also waked another line without protection. "No Gods No Masters" sent first by Jordan is 28m long and 28m height scary line in between two rock noses. I mean the line itself is maybe not so scary but when you step on it it is quite intimidating feeling. I've sent the line the line FM plus one extra walk. Didn't have enough motivation to walk back the more scary direction. I was really happy to hear Jordan free-soloed the line too (HM). It is really proud send and he didn't plan it at all but you know how it is; first swami, then shackle, ankle-leash ... and "why not? I already free-soloed that shit" ;). I was also really surprised to send "Master of Universe" (96.5m L/25m H) too (OW). Soon, more about my new personal and polish highline record :) !

Jordan being happy after full-maning "Czexas" Highline (22m L/22m H)

Just before sending "Master of Universe" Highline (96.5m L/25m H)

Last but not least one week ago I came back to Ostrov again. I went with few friends (Magda, Cinek and Brzezik) to set up new highline I saw next to "No Gods No Masters". It is a really nicely exposed short gap. I had a pleasure to set it up with my peeps ;) It was a fun set-up involving lots of spansets on the tensioning side and hauling big wooden log for an A-frame and on the other side wedging piece of wood inside a crack. I've sent the line free-solo OS-FM. I thought it's a first ascent but I spoke with Stefan from Landcrusing and they did this spot back in April 2008 (to see photo gallery click HERE, from photo 13/35). On of my anchors was rigged a bit differently so I go with the original name "Rainmaker" (and mine aka. 'Free Some') ;) ... Faith put up 2nd FS of this line. Voŕíśek and Cinek send the line too throwing down few tricks. Brzezik & Magda - you'll get it next time for sure!

I gathered footage from few trips to this magic place and put up short video using just a free-solo footage. Some of the ines in this short pieces are:

- "Czexas" Highline (22m L/22m H),
- "No Gods No Masters" Highline (28m L/28m H),
- "Rainmaker" aka "Free Some" Highline (14m L/35m H),
- "Playground" Highline (15m L/17m H),
- "Zkouřenka" Highline (21m L/35m H)

ENJOY!

Soon, I will write about more stories from Ostrov, put up more movies and maybe see you there!!

Peace & SlackOn!
Janek