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Alex Fricker Sends Three-Year 5.14 Acephale Project

Canmore-based Alex Fricker climbed his first 5.14a last October while on an extended trip through Europe.

On his Oct. 30 birthday, he put down Geminis in Rodellar, Spain. Previous to that, Fricker’s first 5.13d was in 2016 with his send of Endless Summer at Acephale.

Earlier this year, Fricker made the likely sixth ascent of Fit Bird Direct 5.14a in Echo Canyon.

Fricker now adds another 5.14 to his growing list with his send of Leviathan 5.14a at Acephale.

“Finally. So happy to have sent my long term project, Leviathan 5.14a/8b+,” said Fricker.

“After three seasons of effort and falling on one of two moves for most of that time it was a huge relief to take it to the top. Time to restart the process and move to the next chunk of rock.”

The steep Upper Acephale route was first climbed by Scott Milton and bolted by Lev Pinter.

It passes eight bolts, has an incredibly sharp tooth and requires boulder power combined with power endurance.

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