On Feb 13, 2016, 16-year-old Drew Ruana made the first free ascent of The Assassin at Smith Rock. He proposed a 5.14d, which makes it the hardest route at the famous crag. The line had been considered for years and was known by locals as the Triple Link because it connected three separate climbs: Repeat Offender, Villain and White Wedding. The Assassin is similar to Shock and Awe 5.14c, which is another unrepeated line at Smith Rock. They both have identical bottom sections, but Shock and Awe has an “easier” finish.
