While the photographer abseiled from the top, Begoña Ruiz Núñez (34) belayed by Steven Martinez (21), tackled a 6c climb at Bjoeks climbing centre. Here on an exchange for just a year, Steven, from South Carolina, quickly discovered Groningen’s landmark tower. The International Relations and Religious Studies student loves the freedom and adventure of climbing. ‘There are no rules – you just go wherever you can.’Begoña, who was born in Bilbao, is doing her PhD at the UMCG. She is studying hunter-gatherer DNA and started climbing about four years ago. ‘I like the challenge, the personal struggle and to climb in the mountains, with my friends.’

Photo and text Rim Lucassen. This picture can be seen at the back of our magazine.