A MUERTE:
PATXI USOBIAGA PERFORMANCE CAMP
Six climbing days (rest day optional) training with the first climber ever to onsight 8c+ — the mind behind the training of names like Adam Ondra and Chris Sharma, now aimed squarely at your plateau.
- Margalef
- Elite Performance Camp
- 28 November – 5 December 2026
- 6 Days
- 6c–7a+
- Min. Redpoint Grade
- 7:1
- Coach Ratio
- €1,190
- Price
A MUERTE isn't a standard coaching week — it's a systematic dismantling of your weaknesses, led by the first climber ever to onsight 8c+ and the trainer behind names like Adam Ondra and Chris Sharma.
Six days built around the PUC method — cycles of Accumulation, Transformation, and Realization — with frame-by-frame video analysis, a genuine physical and mental diagnostic, and route selection built entirely around your specific weaknesses.
This isn't about trying harder. It's about training smarter, with someone who's spent his career doing exactly that at the highest level the sport has.
- Duration
- 7 Days
- Location
- Margalef
- Min. Grade
- 6c–7a
- Group Size
- Maximum 12
- Coaches
- Jan Novotny & Patxi Usobiaga & Klemen Becan
- Price
- €1,190
One unforgettable week
Spain
Established sport climbers only
Max 7:1 coach ratio
Coach may vary by date
Guiding & coaching included
Other Dates
More Missions
A MUERTE runs a few times a year across different Spanish crags. Here's the full calendar.
Real Rock, Real Diagnostics
Burns, Beta
& Beast Mode
No stock photos, no staged sends — just climbers earning it under elite-level coaching.
The 7a/8a Gatekept Climber
Established, technically solid, and stuck exactly at the plateau. What you need isn't more mileage — it's a real diagnostic from someone who's been there.
The Training Nerd
You want to understand the actual method behind elite performance, not just get told to "try harder." The PUC cycles exist for exactly this reason.
The Mentally Blocked Redpointer
You can do the moves in isolation, but fall apart the moment it's the send go. This camp treats the mental side as the main event, not an afterthought.
Technique
- PUC movement mechanics: flags, drop-knees, heel-hooks at your limit
- Conditioning & power drills based on Patxi's own regimen
- Proper grip technique: crimp, open hand, pinch
- Footwork, balance & resting positions refined
- Breathing under sustained load
Mental Game
- Managing fear, frustration, and switching into "Beast Mode"
- Handling the pressure of the send go
- Dedicated seminars on mental fortitude
- Concentration & motivation under repeated failure
- Realizing what's actually possible when you push past the wall
Tactics
- Projecting logic: clipping strategy & resting positions
- Finding hidden beta on routes at your limit
- Sequence linking & working a route systematically
- Frame-by-frame video analysis to catch what you can't feel
- Discuss a take-home training plan with your coaches
- 08:00
- Morning Briefing
Crag plan, conditions check, coffee
- 09:00
- Guided Climbing Block
PUC-method coaching on selected project lines
- 13:30
- Crag Lunch & Video Review
Packed lunch, rest, breaking down the morning's footage
- 15:00
- Afternoon Session
Project burns, beta refinement, or a mental-game seminar
- 18:30
- Pack Down & Return
Back to base, gear sorted for tomorrow
- 20:00
- Dinner & Debrief
Tactics talk, tall tales, and an early night before the next burn
| What You Get | Standard Course | A MUERTE |
|---|---|---|
| Lead coach | Certified guide | World Champion |
| Training method | General technique | The PUC cycles |
| Video analysis | Occasional | Frame-by-frame, daily |
| Coach ratio | Varies | Elite 7:1 |
| Take-home training plan | — | Ask about training-plan availability |
| Long-term follow-up coaching | — | Available |
Margalef, Spain
The Venue
Steep Catalan sport climbing on pocketed conglomerate in the Montsant region — short approaches, powerful sequences and roughly 1,800–1,950 routes from 4 to 9c. Terrain that rewards precise movement and smart tactics, exactly what this camp is designed to attack.
Patxi's home turf is around Oliana and Coll de Nargo, so expect a few stories from further afield too — and route recommendations that go well beyond Margalef.
- Nearest Airport
- Reus · Barcelona
- Rock Type
- Pocketed Conglomerate
- Best Season
- September – May
- Style
- Steep, powerful sport redpointing
Your Coaching Team
World-Class Coaches
Jan Novotny
Meet guideFounder & Head Coach
Rockbusters' founder and head coach, with 25+ years on rock. Jan traded a career in social work for a life of pushing climbers past their limits — technically and mentally — and hasn't looked back since.
Pro climber
Patxi Usobiaga
Meet guideWorld Champion & Lead Coach
A Basque pro climber who won back-to-back Lead Climbing World Cup overall titles and the 2009 World Championship in Qinghai, Patxi was the first climber to onsight 8c+ and has redpointed multiple 9a and 9a+ routes. He's since become known as a trainer behind the scenes for elite climbers, including Adam Ondra and Chris Sharma.
Klemen Becan
Meet guidePerformance & Mental Coach
A former World Cup podium finisher and lifelong onsight addict, Klemen brings decades of high-level competition experience to the mental side of climbing — fear management, focus, and taking a big fall without flinching.
Results
What Past Climbers Say
One past participant described the mental coaching as the real breakthrough — noting that once physical gains got harder to find, the mental game turned out to be the easiest lever left to pull, and real progress meant pushing past what had felt possible.
Three days in, Patxi pointed out something about my resting position I'd been doing wrong for five years. The free training plan afterward was the cherry on top.
Video analysis on day one was brutal to watch. Video analysis on day six showed exactly why it was worth it.
Accommodation & Logistics
We Sorted the Boring Bits
Accommodation
Handpicked local hostels, cottages, or campsites run by the climbing community. Standard booking is shared with fellow "Mission" members; a private room upgrade is available on request, subject to availability.
Getting There
Fly into Barcelona for both arrival and departure. We're happy to help coordinate shared rental cars within the group.
Gear
Bring climbing shoes, harness, a UIAA-certified helmet, belay device with 2 screw-gate carabiners, and a 60cm sling with a locking carabiner. Approach shoes, insulation layer, and rain shell strongly recommended.
Group Size
Elite 7:1 coach ratio. Minimum 3 participants to run the camp — otherwise we offer an equivalent alternative or a full refund.
What's Included
Full Package
- Elite coaching — personalized, one-on-one instruction
- Pro guiding — daily route recommendations & hidden gems
- Technical gear — full access to safety equipment & hardware
- Basecamp — shared accommodation in handpicked hostels
Not included
- Transportation: Flights and local travel are not included. We are happy to help coordinate shared rental cars within the group to split costs.
- Insurance: You are responsible for your own travel and climbing accident insurance.
- Food & Drinks: Meals and beverages are personal costs.
- Group Dinners: For convenience, we can organize communal group dinners for €15 per meal.
FAQ
Common Questions
What level do I need to be?
A minimum lead grade of 6c to 7a. This is a high-intensity camp for established sport climbers already stuck at a plateau, not an introduction to sport climbing.
What's the PUC method?
Patxi's own systematic training approach, built around three cycles: Accumulation, Transformation, and Realization. You'll work through the framework directly, on real routes, over the six days.
Do I need my own gear?
Bring climbing shoes, a harness, a UIAA-certified helmet, a belay device with 2 screw-gate carabiners, and a 60cm sling with a locking carabiner. Full kit list sent once you book.
Is food included?
Food arrangements and any included meals are confirmed before departure.
Do I get anything after the camp ends?
Ask your assigned coaching team about personalized training plans and the availability of follow-up coaching.
What if fewer than 3 people book?
We need a minimum of 3 participants to run the camp. If numbers don't add up, we'll offer an equivalent (or better) alternative, or a full refund. No hard feelings.
Where do I fly in and out of?
Barcelona International Airport, for both arrival and departure.
Reserve Your Place
Ready to Break the Plateau?
Spaces fill fast, and we only run this camp with a minimum of 3 participants. Secure your spot now — or drop us a line first if you've got questions.
Questions first? Email info@rockbusters.net or catch us on WhatsApp — we reply fast.