Siegrist Climbs Martial Law 5.15a in U.S.A.
The steep route near Las Vegas was established by Cameron Hörst almost exactly one year ago
Yesterday, Jonathan Siegrist made the second ascent of Martial Law 5.15a (9a+) at Robber’s Roost on Mount Charleston, just outside of Las Vegas. Established by Cameron Hörst in early June 2023, Martial Law is a direct start to Arrested Development 5.14+, a line first climbed by Ethan Pringle back in 2012.
After Pringle’s first ascent, Andy Raether had the idea of adding a more difficult start by beginning the climb at the very back of the steepest part of the cave. Raether bolted the direct start and Joe Kinder put in work to prep the line. Raether and Kinder then opened the project to the broader community, with Kinder introducing Hörst to the climb.
Starting from the depths of the cave, Martial Law adds a steep intro of 5.14a/b climbing directly into the crux of Arrested Development. This two-move V9 crux is then followed by more pumpy climbing up the 5.14b headwall. The original start of Arrested Development clocks in at around 5.12 before the boulder problem crux, making Martial Law a significantly tougher challenge.
“Yesterday I climbed the second ascent of Martial Law!” said Siegrist on Instagram. “I’d been falling on an enormous move in the center of the roof for quite a few days now. This move is truly at my reach maximum and while I’ll admit I was somewhat annoyed to fall here so much, it was a good challenge and test of patience. As with its easier sibling Arrested Development, the first time I was able to stick this move I went to the chains (thankfully).”
Siegrist has been on a tear over the past year and half. In February 2023, he made the first ascent of Back to the Future 5.15a at Mount Potosi near Vegas. While on a trip to Europe later that year, he repeated Stoking the Fire 5.15b in Santa Linya, Spain and Jungle Boogie 5.15a in Céüse, France.
He started out 2024 with the second ascent of Me I Eat Dust 5.15a in Texas. In May, he made the first ascent of Anemology 5.15b in Utah, his sixth of the grade to date. According to his 8a.nu, Martial Law is his 24th 5.15a.
Cameron Hörst’s FA of Martial Law 5.15a
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