Le Pèlerin is New 160-metre WI5+ in Quebec

Le Pèlerin (The Pilgrim) is a new 160-metre WI5+ along the Moisie River in Quebec that was first climbed by Charles Roberge and JP Bélanger last week. The two climbers used snowmobiles to travel around 35 kilometres to access the remote granite wall.

Earlier this month, Bélanger had teamed up with Jas Fauteux for a lap of the rarely repeated La Ruée vers l’or, a 330-metre WI6 M4/5 (M7+ on the first ascent in 2001), in Quebec. The two also climbed the famous Rainbow Serpent WI6 in the Canadian Rockies this year.

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Awesome day climbing "La Ruée vers l'or" (330m WI6 M4/5, M7+ on the FA) yesterday. This had been on my bucket list for years but it used to rarely form and it always seemed the be below -30 whenever I was free to go and try it. Yesterday was warm amd windless and I stood on top the awesome hanging pillar at the top less then 20hrs after landing in Québec city. #escaladequebec #iceclimbing #neice @ne_ice_conditions @north_east_ice

A post shared by Jas Fauteux (@jasfauteux) on Feb 11, 2020 at 4:33am PST

The first direct pitch of Le Pèlerin wasn’t formed, so they climbed behind using some rock pro to access the second pitch. Pitch-two is a 60-metre WI4+ and the final pitch is the crux with a number of steep moves.

They then attempted a new route to the left they dubbed L’orpailleur, but bailed due to difficult conditions. Roberge said Le Pèlerin was his most memorable and aesthetic first ascent to date.