Jacopo Larcher Climbs a Yosemite 5.14c Crack
Nearly two years after his send, The North Face has released the footage of Jacopo Larcher's third ascent of Meltdown
In 2022, Jacopo Larcher made the third ascent of the iconic trad test-piece Meltdown in Yosemite, one of the world’s hardest trad routes at 5.14c. Located in Cascade Creek, it was first climbed by Beth Rodden on Valentines Day in 2008. Countless climbers learned about Rodden’s amazing ascent thanks to it being featured in the film Dosage V from Big Up Productions.
Meltdown went unrepeated for a decade, until Carlo Traversi redpoinited it in 2018. Larcher first tried Meltdown in 2016, when he spent two days working out the beta. He returned, brushed the holds and spent seven days piecing it together. He then sent, placing all of his gear on lead. Read more about his send here.
A video of Larcher’s Meltdown send has finally been released as part of a YouTube series from The North Face called The Traditionalist, which is described as “a narrative that weaves together the rich history, diverse ethics, and vibrant cultures of the trad-climbing world. Through Larcher’s eyes, viewers will discover the profound beauty and complexity of this form of climbing, challenging the conventional understanding of difficulty and what it truly means to climb the hardest routes on earth.”
The North Face’s description of the below video is: “With a fresh perspective, Jacopo dives into the local trad culture, experiencing the area’s classic climbs and pushing his limits on one of its most challenging and world-renowned trad routes – Meltdown. His appreciation for the valley’s history and his insights into the unique granite climbing style make this an unforgettable starting point for the series.”
Meltdown 5.14c Send
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