Jon Cardwell 'a muerte'

Jon Cardwell “a muerte” follows the American sport climber back to Spain after seven years away, stepping straight into the limestone proving grounds of Siurana and Oliana. With the mantra “a muerte”—climb like it matters, like every go could be the last—Jon dives into the culture of fanáticos, chasing long-standing projects and the country’s relentless rhythm of try, recover, return. What makes this short film so watchable is its honest mix of ambition and atmosphere: the pull of iconic routes like La Rambla and Papichulo, the raw reality of split tips and drained forearms, and the contagious energy of crags where everyone is all-in. It’s a tight hit of Spanish sport climbing—sunlit stone, big goals, and the kind of commitment that reminds you why we keep coming back for one more attempt.

Five Ten · 8:35

After 7 years Jon Cardwell returns to Siurana & Oliana to get stuck into some Spanish sport climbing projects, these include La Rambla and Papichulo both 9a+. Find out how he got on... "It’s easy to summarize my feelings on returning to Spain. The first thoughts are climbing everyday ‘a muerte’, to the death, as they say. Which isn’t to say it’s a bad thing, yet a responsibility you acquire as soon as you set foot into crags like Oliana, Siurana, Margalef and dozens of others. The climbers here, both international and Spanish are fanaticos, they love every moment at the crags, and each try is as if it's their last; blood from the fingers and muscles fatiguing. The energy is infections, and its every bit as inviting as I remember it; my last visit to Spain was a daunting 7 years ago when I spent over 6 months at various areas, I still remember it like it was last season.”