In the beginning there was Jean...
Every regular mountain-goer knows the oldest Belgian mountaineering and hiking shop. It is the result of one of the most curious and original personalities in the circle of mountaineers who, in 1950, experimented with the modern and reliable equipment we know today.
Jean Lecomte was the first in Belgium to discover the nylon rope, organising his legendary impact resistance demonstration in front of an audience of climbers. Goodbye hemp!
A man passionate about technology, a determined and resourceful tinkerer, he experimented with countless mountaineering, caving and diving equipment systems and imported, right in the heart of Brussels, the finest mountain gear.
Half a century later, the Lecomte shop has become an indispensable player in the specialist retail scene. For many Brussels residents, it is the last place where people talk… about climbing and mountains.
A family business
The tradition was inevitably carried on by Richard Lecomte, who gave the business its full scope by relocating it to «Ixelles-Flagey».
His team became omnipresent at Belgian and French climbing sites and supported the finest climbers who were still unknown at the time, such as a certain Muriel Sarkany… The hands-on field experience was directly reflected in the shop and in the selection of merchandise tested by the staff.
Today, entire walls of the shop are covered in equipment, with particular care given to backpacks, Gore-Tex clothing, hiking boots, and mountaineering gear.
The core team has been complemented by young mountaineers who are very generous with advice and highly available. All of this is overseen by Christophe Lecomte, who is already breathing new life into the 3rd generation…
Proud of our roots, here are the most important things Jean Lecomte did in his life in the world of sport, mountaineering and climbing, as well as for the history of the shop:
Climbing
- For 40 years, introduction and training of hundreds of climbers at the highest levels of difficulty.
- First climbs at Freyr (near Dinant) in 1938, with his sister Denise, Piet Van Vliet, William Mullenders (professor of botany).
- During the war of 1940, roped climbs with René Mailleux, Haroun Tazieff (research director at C.N.R.S.), Suzanne Tobback, Pierre Wei, etc…
- In the 40s and 50s, opening of several major routes at Freyr: the Tour du Cochon – the Pilastre – the Enfant – the Lecomte, at Chaleux: the Chambin.
- Inventor and manufacturer of the small brush for cleaning VIBRAM soles.
- Testing and distribution of new climbing, mountaineering and caving equipment.
Caving
- 1936 or 1938, 1st descent to the bottom of the chantoir U (Wéron hole), with Doctor Cardyn, Max Gosyns and André Jaumotte (ULB).
- Very precise theodolite survey of the cave (25 descents), with Jacques Godenne and Yo Verwilghen.
- Around 1950, 1st descent to the bottom of the Trou Bernard, with Bernard Magosse and J.P. Godenne.
- 1946, exploration of the Cacovetta gorges in the Pyrenees with Suzanne Tobback and Max Cosyns (200m free-hanging abseil).
Mountaineering
- Guideless ascents at Chamonix in 1950 including: North face of the Plan, Grépon Mer de Glace, traverse of the Aiguilles de Chamonix, Blaitière – Fou – Caïman – Crocodile.
- With his wife Lucienne Cornelis Lecomte and Yo Verwilghen: Traverse of the Dômes de Miage, Col Infranchissable, Bionnassay, Mont Blanc, Mont Blanc du Tacul, Mont Maudit, Whymper Couloir on the Verte, North face of the Drus, South face of the Géant.
- 1956, Freyr film, 35mm, colour, by Hubert Bastin, featuring François Henry, who died on Mont Blanc, Christmas 1956. This film won 2nd prize at the Mountain Film Festival in Trento, Italy.
- 1961, ethnological and mountaineering expedition to Tibesti (Chad), organised by Gerard Del Marmol (ascent of Mont Mousgou and other summits).
- 1961, lecturer and director of the first climbing instructor sessions, organised by ADEPS. For many years, he led climbing courses on behalf of ADEPS and ULB.
- 1966, participation in the construction of the Leschaux refuge, led by Jose Vandervoorde.