Vikki Weldon Sends Acephale’s Flying Ants 5.14

Acephale in Alberta has had a busy summer and the sends continue to go down on a daily basis.

Vikki Weldon just climbed Flying Ants 5.14a after a few days working on the new-ish extension to Army Ants 5.13c.

"I feel good, I feel good" The mantra running on repeat in my head while I climbed today. Third try of the day, second day on. I was beyond tired but had nothing to lose. Despite screaming skin and tired muscles, I was able to dig deep and finally stick this crux move. Full wing span. Had to believe I could fly! "Flying Ants" (5.14a) ? @etteloc . . . @arcteryx @maximropes @lasportivana @flashedclimbing @rhinoskinsolutions @petzl_official #acephale #bowvalley #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #outdoorwomen #treelinewoc #grippedmagazine

A post shared by vikkiweldon (@vikkiweldon) on Aug 25, 2017 at 7:56pm PDT

On Sendage.com, Evan Hau said about the test-piece, “Climbs First Flight 5.14 entering via Army Ants. I did this variation last year as a consolation after getting shut down on the Prime Time crux but it’s actually quite a nice line itself.

“Although a link-up, First Flight itself is also link-up as the direct start does not seem to go.” Flying Ants has been repeated a handful of times with most putting the grade at a soft 5.14.

Weldon noted after, “A really lovely link up at the Upper Wall. This is my first 5.14 in the Bow Valley, so I can’t compare it to others of the grade, but with the big rests between cruxes, I think it may be low in the grade for 5.14. Nevertheless, a great challenge and I found the moves off the birds nest to be at my max.”

The 5.14s of Upper Acephale
Full Nelson 5.14d
Kinder Surprise5.14d
Bunda De Fora 5.14d
First Flight 5.14c
Prime Time 5.14c
Shine Me Up Lev 5.14b
Existence Mundane 5.14b
American Whale 5.14a
Flying Ants 5.14a
Ojas Direct 5.14a
Angst 5.14a
The Shine 5.14a
Ojas 5.14a
Leviathan 5.14a

Got stuck in to Acephale projects this summer! No better place to be during a hot summer like the one we've been having. Thanks @mikkomaek for this beauty. My try hard face in action on the start of Army Ants ?. I call it the 'Toothless Granny' ?? . . . @arcteryx @lasportivana @maximropes @flashedclimbing @rhinoskinsolutions @petzl_official #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #acephale #bowvalley #treelinewoc #grippedmagazine

A post shared by vikkiweldon (@vikkiweldon) on Aug 23, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT