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Sean McColl Sends North Ridge V14 in Squamish

Sean McColl has repeated the burly North Ridge V14 in Gibbs Cave of the Apron Boulders in Squamish.

McColl has been back home on the West Coast for the past few weeks and recently won the Northwest Boulderfest at The Seattle Bouldering Project.

The North Ridge was first climbed by Georg Joost in 2008 and starts on Black Magic V13, it’s seen a few sends in the past decade. McColl projected the hard problem before heading to Seattle for the competition.

Been working on “North Ridge” recently, all the moves go and I can do it in two overlapping sections; unfortunately <insert excuse here> has prevented a send thus far! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I’m headed to @seattleboulderingproject for the North West Boulderfest this weekend so if you’re in the area, come grab a poster tomorrow around 17:00! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Fingers crossed for good weather Monday, some drier holds, and the elusive send ? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @adidasterrex @scarpana @walltopia @joerockheads @verticalartclimbing @flashedclimbing @perfect_descent #verticalart #climbing #train #canada #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday #athlete #igers #amazing #sports #fitspo #gymlife #power #fitfam #adventure #fitness #work #workhard #workout #strength #challenge #follow #ninja #gym #fun

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North Ridge is the most difficult problem in Gibbs Cave and involved 20 moves, with “no individual move is harder than V9/10,” as McColl said.

“After Georg got the first ascent back in 2008, I was working the line (around 2010) and on one of my redpoint tries, I snapped off the crux crimp. The move still worked but it was a bit harder. Over the years, it has seen a few ascents and for me it feels so satisfying to have now ticked that one off the bucket list.”

McColl has spent the past few months competing on the world stage, but hasn’t had his best year to date due to injuries. But, McColl did place second at the Chongquing Boulder World Cup and recently fifth at the Kranj Lead World Cup.

“North Ridge” (V14, 8B+) ✔️? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This line is the hardest in Gibbs Cave and is the definition of power endurance. You climb through roughly 20 moves where no individual move is harder than V9/10; it starts at the back of the cave on powerful big moves, goes through a small dihedral on crimps and fingerlocks and finishes up the iconic “Black Hole”. After Georg got the first ascent back in 2008, I was working the line (around 2010) and on one of my redpoint tries, I snapped off the crux crimp. The move still worked but it was a bit harder. Over the years, it has seen a few ascents and for me it feels so satisfying to have now ticked that one off the bucket list. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ With all the competing and training, it’s been a while since I seriously tried a hard line outside. The feeling of re-learning moves, figuring out the best beta and waiting for holds to dry can be a process ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The good weather here in Squamish won’t last forever but I’ve had an amazing October on multiple levels ? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Already have a new project in this majestic forest after bumping into local legends Tim Doyle and Ben Harnden! Guesses? ? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @adidasterrex @scarpana @walltopia @joerockheads @verticalartclimbing @flashedclimbing @perfect_descent #verticalart #climbing #train #canada #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday #athlete #igers #amazing #sports #fitspo #gymlife #power #fitfam #adventure #fitness #work #workhard #workout #strength #challenge #follow #ninja #gym #fun #squamish

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Watch Hans Montenegro Send North Ridge

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