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Friday, November 06, 2009

Rock Climbing Feat of the Year?

Yesterday, the blind Colorado climber Erik Weihenmayer climbed the Naked Edge (5.11b, 8 or 9 pitches) in Eldorado Canyon. Weihenmayer climbed with Brady Robinson, executive director of the Access Fund, and Charley Mace, a longtime friend and climbing partner. Cedar Wright filmed the ascent, so someday we'll be able to see it for ourselves.

The five main pitches of the Edge are comprised of near-vertical to overhanging sandstone, notorious for tiny holds and complex sequences. Three of pitches are 5.11, and one is a very tricky 5.10. Weihenmayer had never been on the route, yet Robinson and Wright said he only fell once or twice on each pitch, except for the final overhanging lieback and hand crack. Both men marveled at Weihenmayer's ability to quickly figure out 5.11 moves, and both said it might be the most impressive climbing feat they'd ever seen.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Too bad it wasn't an on-sight.

Anonymous said...

Also it fits the "within-20-miles-of-Boulder" category, which as we all know, instantly elevates any climbing accomplishment into world-class status.

Anonymous said...

The guy is blind, people! Of course it's an amazing accomplishment.

AB said...

First no-sight ascent

Anonymous said...

Check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF14cqTwxpQ