Climbing Vintage

Some of you may have noticed that I’ve been a little quieter here lately.

That’s because over on my personal channel I’ve been sharing another adventure that’s been consuming my life for the past seven months.

On 27 August, I’ll attempt a 22 km solo crossing of the IJsselmeer in the Netherlands.

Although Climbing Vintage will always remain about the mountains, vintage gear and authentic outdoor adventures, I wanted to share this journey with you as well.

This swim is deeply personal. It’s dedicated to my late grandmother, who was a well-known open water swimmer and whose passion for the water continues to inspire me every day.

Recently, the challenge was featured in the local newspapers, and the support has been overwhelming.

This summer I’ll still be heading to the Alps—don’t worry, there will be plenty of Climbing Vintage content coming but right now, 27 August 2026 is my point on the map.

This challenge also has a purpose beyond sport. I’m raising awareness and support for the Voedsel Bank Gooi & Vechtstreek ( Emergency food charity) , helping people in the Netherlands who struggle to put food on the table. In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, that reality is still heartbreaking.

If you’d like to follow this journey, I’d love to have you with me.

www.ijsselmeerswim.nl or follow Jean-Jacques François

“Adventure doesn’t always take you higher. Sometimes it asks you to go deeper.”

For the third year in a row, I’ve managed to grow Edelweiss. 🌼

I’m genuinely proud of that.

This tiny alpine flower reminds me why I love the mountains so much. Strong enough to survive where few others can, yet incredibly delicate at the same time.

Do you have a favourite alpine flower or a mountain memory that means something to you? I’d love to hear it.

It’s been a while guys!

There is a reason for that.

Over the past months, I’ve been working towards one of the biggest challenges of my life an attempt to swim across the IJsselmeer a famous water in the Netherlands, from Stavoren to Medemblik.

This journey is about endurance, determination and pushing beyond what feels comfortable. But it is also deeply personal.

In many ways, I am following in the footsteps of my grandmother, who was a competitive swimmer in the 1920s and 1930s. Her passion for the water inspired me and now, nearly a century later, I find myself taking on a challenge she would have understood all too well.

The mountains may always be home, but this adventure leads across open water 22 km!

In my opinion, history is not only something to preserve. Sometimes is history it is something to continue.

If you’d like to follow the journey and learn more about the challenge, visit www.ijsselmeersprint.nl

An unforgettable moment, captured in a single click.

High above Lac des Dix, on the legendary Haute Route towards Zermatt, time seemed to pause. In that instant when the shutter fell we knew this was more than just a photograph. This was a moment that would stay with us forever.

Taken by .gallagher.photo during our journey, shared with his brother and close friends, this image carries the spirit of adventure, friendship, and raw alpine beauty. moved through the mountains in the very latest gear from , while I felt transported back to the 1940s a different era a different rhythm yet the same wild essence.

Now, this iconic photograph has found its place in a vintage frame, complete with its story, displayed in the Climbing Vintage House. The last picture is without the frame.

An honour. A memory. A moment that lives on.

Ever tried stepping into vintage bindings?

Getting into vintage skis isn’t a simple click and go.
Every strap, every binding checked twice.

Telemark bindings demand respect
you really don’t want one ski turning while the other stays locked.

Six steps before the first turn.
Part of the beauty of vintage skiing.

A small look back at a perfect day in the Alps.

skiheritage mountainlife winterinthealps realskiing mountainmoments

A classic start of the day. ☀️
First some action, then a quiet moment of reflection and relextation at Frommes alp.

Best enjoyed with a small glass of Poire Williams, Apfelstrudel with homemade vanilla sauce,
and to finish it properly a warm cup of chocolate.

Some traditions are worth keeping. ☕️

A small glass of Williams to warm the inside,
getting ready for a demanding descent.
Calm before the drop. ❄️⛷️🥃. It is -12.