The Solution to a Data Problem was found on the Edge of a Cliff—a Remote Work Trip to Åland

We set on a remote work trip with colleagues to Geta, Åland, a renowned climbing destination. Our group consisted of a bouldering group from Cloud1 and Devisioona. The goal of the trip was to seamlessly blend work and climbing.  With its breathtaking bouldering spots, Geta was the ideal location for this combination of work and climbing.

"Perfect bouldering weather in Geta," a colleague stated over his shoulder while checking Åland's forecast in the office.

Geta is a climbing mecca that we set out to conquer with colleagues, eager to tackle its challenges. This world-famous spot, with hundreds of routes, lies on the northern side of Åland. Ahead of us was a week-long work and climbing trip, scheduled for the third week of April.

However, Saturday morning's glance out the window didn’t exactly scream perfect bouldering weather—winter had made an unwelcome comeback tp Southern Finland.

The worst possible weather for bouldering.

But there was no stopping us—out came the jack, on went the winter tires, and by morning, we headed for Turku and the ferry.

Just a few days earlier, we had received news of the merge between Devisioona and Cloud1, as well as the appointment of the new CEO, Seppo Kuula. These announcements sparked lengthy discussions, especially since the growth targets had been elevated to a new level. Over breakfast, excitement grew as we discussed the opportunities this merger and growth phase would open up for us. From the ferry, we drove straight to Geta’s bouldering paradise.

Geta Life

At Geta, the sea revealed itself from the hilltop climbing spot, and the cold that had settled into my body was quickly replaced by excitement. This was a new experience for me. To be honest, my previous impression of sit-starts, where climbers begin the route seated, had not exactly been my favorites. But Geta was something entirely different—vibrant red rocks, solid holds, and dozens of world-class routes.

In Åland's chilly April maritime climate, keeping warm was a challenge, and at the start of the week, the climbing routes felt particularly tough.

On the first day, I set my sights on a more challenging route. I tried climbing it several times without success and eventually moved to a different sector. But after watching a few successful climbs, I decided to give it one more go.

Encouraging shouts from my colleagues about where to place my feet kept me moving forward. The holds were sometimes so small that I wondered how I managed to hang on. The cold rock, hovering near freezing, felt like sandpaper, and both my shoes and fingers gripped like gorilla tape.

"One more move, and you're at the top! You can reach it!" I heard my colleagues cheering me on.

I collected myself and prepared for the final push. I pressed my hips against the wall for better balance, stretched my whole body toward the top hold, and secured a solid grip. I knew instantly that I had it. My personal best on an outdoor climb. What a great feeling! Breaking new ground with the help of your colleagues.

Remote Work Trip or Overwork Trip?

One of the trip's highlights was a visit to a client. We took a break from climbing for a day and headed to the client's factory. After a lunch meeting, we had a factory tour. It was fascinating to witness the various stages of the production chain and connect that to the production-related data analyses we had been doing for the client. A rewarding morning, to say the least.

Back at the cabin, we continued working, breaking occasionally for a walk outside, only to return to our laptops and work late into the evening.

“This isn’t a remote work trip; it’s an overwork trip,” I overheard my colleague Ville comment during our work session.

The next day, we put in a full day of work before heading back to Geta. One of the client’s data validation issues from the previous day was still nagging at me since we hadn’t been able to solve it during the client visit.

This time, I picked a challenging roof route for myself. After working on it a few times and watching how Tomi and Mikko led by example, I finally managed to power through and complete the route. It felt great to conquer a negative, strength-intensive climb.

We took a break, ate our packed lunches, and then set off to try the sector's namesake route. It was a highball—meaning it’s a tall climb where falling from the top is not an option.

As I sat on a rock, waiting for my turn, the client’s data validation issue came back to mind. Suddenly, I realized there was only one possibility left: the data had been loaded onto the platform without proper deduplication based on the ID columns.

I checked, and sure enough, that was the case. It was amazing to solve the client’s problem during a climbing session.

We ended the day with a sauna and then headed out for dinner at the Stallhagen Brewery. The next day, we did one more climb at Kasviken before catching the ferry and heading home. 

It’s great to have the freedom to work near hobby opportunities (while, of course, respecting GDPR regulations) and to plan work around colder, rainy days, making room to enjoy a hobby outdoors.

We had an amazing trip and the dynamic between work and climbing worked seamlessly. The announcements we received just before the trip brought the group even closer together. The next trip has already been booked. 

Back home, the weather was perfect for changing tires.

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