Eric Hörst, 59, Sends 5.13c at the Red River Gorge
The steep sandstone line is bouldery with a pumpy run to the chains
Yesterday, acclaimed climbing coach and author Eric Hörst, sent Kaleidoscope 5.13c at the Red River Gorge in Kentucky, sending the route in five sessions in around 13 attempts. At 59, Hörst continues to send 5.12 and 5.13 regularly but 5.13c is a grade near his climbing career limit. The route is located at the Drive-By Crag in the PMRP and works its way up a beautiful arching arete requiring big reaches and pumpy sloper slaps.
“A happy Easter Sunday send!” Hörst said via his 8a.nu account. “One of the best routes at the Red, and one of my hardest ever. Brilliant technical, sequential climbing on cool holds up an overhanging arete to a definitive boulder problem crux…that’s hard for me. But I took it to the chains the first time I stuck the boulder move!”
Hörst started climbing in 1977 at age 13. He is the author of many instructional books including Maximum Climbing, The Rock Climber’s Exercise Guide, How to Climb 5.12, and Training for Climbing, now on its third edition. He’s also written hundreds of climbing magazine articles and hosts the popular Training for Climbing podcast. His son and pro climber Cameron Hörst recently sent three 5.14d routes in a little over a month.
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