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Evan Hau Climbs New 5.14 in Alberta Rockies

Evan Hau has been one of Canada’s leading hard-route developers for the past few years. He recently sent one of his projects at Apocalypse Cave on Grotto Mountain and called it Belly of the Beast 5.14a. After his send, he wrote on Sendage.com, “The steepest line straight through the middle of the cave. After dreaming about this potential route all winter I’m psyched how it turned out. Contender for steepest route in the Bow Valley.”

Earlier this year, Hau made the first ascent of Sex Bombs 5.13c at Apocalypse. Last year, he added Ants in Overdrive 5.13d, Celestial Streaker 5.13a, Book of Revelation 5.12c and Box of Souls 5.14a, of which he wrote, “Another sick line through the belly of the cave. Crazy steep climbing with really cool holds!! I stared at zoomed in photos for hours trying to see the line and wondering if it could go before finally bolting it.”

Hau began developing the area a few years ago on the well-known south face of Grotto Mountain above Canmore. Other popular crags on the mountain are Bataan and the many walls in Echo Canyon. For an updated topo and approach info to Apocalypse, visit here.

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