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Evan Hau sends new hard route in Rockies: The Prestige 5.14c

Calgary’s Evan Hau has made the first ascent of one of the hardest routes in the Canadian Rockies. After averaging around 80 days a season at Acephale the past couple of years, Hau wanted a change of scenery and turned his attention to some of the old projects at Planet X in Cougar Creek near Canmore. This is the first new route at Planet X since 2007. The project was sitting there untouched for many years (other than some people using the fixed rope on it as a giant rope swing) until Hau resurrected it.

Now it’s the hardest route on the wall, Cougar Creek and the hardest route in the Bow Valley, excluding Acephale, at 5.14c. “After some time wandering around looking for the perfect project, this is the line that caught my attention and rekindled the psych,” said Hau. “I’m not sure who started equipping it initially, but I had to finish the bolting and clean quite a bit of rubble off the start slab. A powerful V13 crux leads to a perfect jug right before an amazing final roof. Such a great feeling and process. I love this stuff.” On the same day, Josh Muller sent his new 5.14c at Acephale. For the story about First Flight see here.

Hau on The Prestige Photo courtesy of Hau
Hau on The Prestige Photo Sheena Stares

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