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Possible 5.14c FA By Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson1, writing on his blog about the FA of a potential 5.14c in Colorado's Clear Creek Canyon called Siberian Express:
I’m calling the route Siberian Express. Based on my maintenance training I can confidently say that I was in top shape when I did it.
The weather likely extended the outcome somewhat, but considering my fitness and the twelve days required, I suspect it’s the hardest route I’ve climbed and warrants a 5.
14c rating. More importantly, it’s a great route.
Mark also did the FA of Double Stout at Clear Creek back in January at a proposed grade of 5.14a.
Footnotes
- 1. Not to be confused with his brother Mike who just recently repeated Mission Impossible back
4 comments
Weird title. Possible? Potential? I think it is 14c unless someone repeats it and suggests something else.
Post enough times about an FA being a certain grade only to have it subsequently downgraded 95%* of the time and you start to be cautious about the language you use
*approximate
On the contrary, I think "potential" is a better reflection of a route/boulders difficulty until more ascents solidify a grade. Even then...its can still be pretty wobbly.
Moral of the story: A hard route hath been vanquished. Before thou ventureth into speculation, perchance it wise to cast thine lot against the stone as well?
Yeah dave