Doug McConnell Sends The Path 5.14R at Lake Louise
The climb is quickly becoming one of the world's most popular gear climbs at the grade
Strong Australian climber Doug McConnell has made the 10th ascent of The Path at Lake Louise. The 5.14R has become the must-climb trad test-piece in the Rockies. McConnell made the fifth ascent of Yamnuska’s Blue Jeans 5.13c in 2015. The Path has been climbed four times this summer after a few years with no sends.
The 10 climbers who have sent The Path are Sonnie Trotter (first ascent 2007), Alex Megos (first flash), Read Macadam, Tim Emmett, Ethan Pringle, Matt Wilder, Peter Kamitses, Miles Adamson, Tommy Caldwell and Doug McConnell. No climber has sent it twice.
The route was originally bolted, but after closer inspection Trotter discovered he could protect it with gear and chopped the bolts. Despite being a controversial move, time has proven his decision created a classic Canadian climb.
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