Watch Sean McColl on Classic Grit Route Gaia E8 6c
He's one of only a few Canadians to send an E8 6c on gritstone
Watch Sean McColl send the classic run-out grit route Gaia E8 6c in the U.K., which he sent in 2016. McColl is one of Canada’s top comp climbers, who often repeats rock test-pieces, such as Dreamcatcher 5.14d in Squamish.
Gaia was first climbed by Johnny Dawes and was the thing of legends after the film Hard Grit came out in 1998. Gaia climbs a corner and groove on a 15-metre prow at Black Rocks. The route’s only pro is low on the climb.
The 5.13 crux comes shortly afterwards and is said to be harder for short climbers. The real business is near the end, where insecure moves out of the groove gain an arête and easier climbing.
In McColl’s detailed report about his ascent, he wrote, “I have never in my life climbed on gritstone. Since as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to try it, but the opportunity has never arisen. It wasn’t until I found out that Jorg was already stoked to try Gaia that I realized that that line would indeed be my first exposure to the legendary gritstone.” Read McColl’s story here.
The opening scene of Hard Grit featured French climber Jean-minh Trin-Thieu taking a big fall. Watch below.
McColl on Gaia
Hard Grit Fall
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
