Yesterday I managed to do something I've been dreaming of trying since 2007 when I first saw it. I climbed the mega line of the Grande Grotta, Fun de chichuune 8a. The route is 40m long and it's essentially a roof for most of its length. As you can see in the photos below, you climb through blobs and stalactites, interspersed with scary blank sections.
It is #8 on this topo.
There were tons of kneebars and other creative rests along the way. I spent most of the time hanging upside down by my knees. The weight of the quickdraws felt like it might pull my harness off. There are 28 clips.
It was a hot day so I was sweating heaps and the tufas were often damp or outright dripping with water. I managed to remove my shirt on one of the rests at halfway and use it as a towel. Later, towards the end, I had to thoroughly chalk up my forehead. That's a first.
Most of these pics are in the first third when it's not so steep (!)
Not even halfway yet!
Can you spot me here? I'm at about the 3/4 point.
And the best part, it was onsight. The first try. Meaning I thankfully didn't have to try the whole enormous beast for a second time, which would be crushing. You might cry.
Route pics © C Vaillancourt 2010
2 comments:
That looks spectacular Lee.... awesome effort mate. I take it the knee pads were well worn down after that.
I can't believe how many kneebars there were. The pads were _well_ used, but are still going strong!
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