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New Route on Canon Cliff

Matt Ritter is a New England ice climber who owns Walkabout Mountain Guides. 

On Monday, Dec. 22, Ritter climbed the new Cannonade Direct on Canon Cliff with Jim Shimberg. “It only took me six attempts over the last few years,” Ritter wrote on his Facebook.

The following day he and Michael Wejchert put up a variation to the crux pitch, the Canonnade Direct Direct. Updates to come!

Ritter started climbing in 1999 at the age of 14 at the Gunks with his older brother and father. Later that season, he went on a three-day winter mountaineering course in the White Mountains. Climbing and guiding became the driving force in Ritter’s life.

Ritter’s Walkabout Page

“It was here that my passion for adventure as an essential holistic, meditative, therapuetic lifestyle was solidified. I have had the privilege of learning from many great mentors,” said Ritter. “This process of mentorship continues to inspire me in my never ending quest for knowledge. My travels have taken me all over the country in search of great rock climbing and ice climbing adventures.”

Cannonade Direct is steep! Bayard took this photo from the Black Dike.
Matt Ritter on Cannonade Direct Photo Cathedral Mountain Guides (Bayard Russell Jr.)

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