New Quebec 5.14a Took Over 200 Tries
Olivier Turgeon opens another test-piece route at the Sanatorium
Olivier Turgeon has climbed his longstanding arête project at the Sanatorium in Quebec, calling it Souffle Court and grading it 5.14a. On Sendage.com, he said, “This stellar arête was the last obvious line to be completed on the main wall. It took me more than 200 tries over the last 8 years to get it done. An instant classic!”
The Sanatorium, which has become a popular crag with several test-piece routes, is found northwest of Quebec City in the Vallée du Bras-du-Nord region. Some of the hard climbs include Le Patient 5.14a, Bacille de Koch 5.14a, Poumon d’acier 5.13d and Sanatorium 5.13d.
Over the past decade-plus, Turgeon has climbed several hard Quebec lines, including L’Oracle 5.14a, Super Motocross 5.14a, Le Patient 5.14a FA and Bacille de Koch 5.14a. He’s also climbed several hard boulders, including Tea With Elmarie V12 and Barefoot on Sacred Ground V12.
A clip of him projecting Souffle Court in the snow appeared on Whipper Media earlier this year – watch it here, and watch his first ascent below.
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