Interview with Franz Morandi – Climbing, van life and passion for Rupe

Today we get to know the new Rupe athlete, Franz Morandi.

From competitive sports to outdoor climbing, from van life to a passion for nature, his path is made of adventure, determination and the search for freedom. We asked him a few questions to find out more about his story, his dreams and his bond with Rupe. Here's what he told us!

From competitive to outdoor climbing

I started climbing at the age of 8 indoors and competed until I was 15. Although I achieved good results, I realized that this was not my path. So I decided to dedicate myself to outdoor climbing, a new world for me, where the only opponent to beat is yourself. From that moment I understood that I was on the right path.

But the moment I realized that climbing would become the focus of my life came with my first big trip to Australia, at 18. There I experienced the true sharing of this passion with people from all over the world.

I consider myself a 50/50 between a cliff climber and a boulderer, because I like both equally. However, my nature has always been bouldering, not surprisingly even on cliff routes I always look for very hard moves and routes that are not particularly long.

Being born in Arco is a fortune: I found my way in a place I call home. I like to actively participate in this movement that has been going on for decades thanks to the locals, contributing with new bolts and cleaning of boulders.

The road that marked me the most

The route that left the biggest mark on me was undoubtedly Pungitopo , not because it was the hardest I've done, but because of the journey it represented. I discovered the line, bolted it, and when I tried it, I thought it was out of my reach. I put my ego aside and had the chance to share it with Adam Ondra, finding a solution together. The process of getting to the point of passing the rope through the chain was such a mental, emotional, and physical commitment that it will be difficult to overcome for a while. It was an experience that taught me to always believe in it all the way.

Van life and new passions

Thanks to my father I had a particular imprinting with nature and exploration. From here my motto was born: one life, live it . Because what is life without passions? This thought led me to travel a lot, alternating trips with periods of work to finance myself.

The advantages of this choice? I learned several trades, which I then managed to reconcile with my camper outfitting business @olliwood_conversions .

It all started with a bad car accident, where I was in serious trouble but I came out of it unscathed. The car was ready to be thrown away, so I decided to buy a van and convert it into a camper. From there, another great passion was born, which then turned into a real job.

What fascinates me most about my work is the same thing that fascinates me about climbing: the ability to express myself.

My favorite places for van life?

• Spain in winter , for the amount of rock and the welcoming people.
• Norway in summer , for the uncontaminated landscapes, the perfect temperature and... salmon! Fishing and mushroom picking are two other passions that I have cultivated since I was a child.

Discover Rupe

I discovered Rupe recently and was immediately struck by the design of its sweatshirts, the materials and the colours.

Digging deeper into its values ​​on the site, I discovered that the brand does things in a way that goes against the grain compared to the competition: everything is produced in Italy, from design to the finished garment, with a sustainable approach and placing the quality and originality of the product at the center.

I found myself in this philosophy, because it is the same principle by which I live and work. So I thought: I also want to be part of this movement in an active way. Because unity is strength.

My favorite pieces?

• The Abete Curry hoodie , for its colors and comfort, both for climbing and for traveling in the van.
• The flannel shirt , for its unique style and details in the finishes and materials. It best represents the value of Rupe: a versatile, comfortable and original garment, which does not go unnoticed.

Dreams and future projects

My future goals are always the same: to improve myself in what I do and try to put my own into what I believe in. Whether it's climbing or everyday life, step by step, as I have always done. I constantly look for new stimuli and continue to cultivate my dreams.

I have climbed in many places around the world and there are many places I would like to return to. But one place I still have to go and that I would love to visit is the United States , home to some of the most iconic climbing spots in the world.