5.15b Climber Tries Difficult Tree Climbs

Ethan Pringle recently travelled to Costa Rica to climb some of the world’s hardest established tree routes. The lines ascend giant strangler figs up overhanging and exposed sections. Each route is protected by slings around sturdy branches.

Pringle might be best known for his second ascent of Chris Sharma’s Jumbo Love 5.15b in 2015 and his first ascent of Blackbeard’s Tears 5.14c trad. In July 2008, he visited Canada and climbed The Path 5.14R trad and Cobra Crack 5.14 trad.

Pringle is also an accomplished boulderer with repeats of The Wheel of Life V15 and The Nest V15, and has established problems up to V14.

Costa Rica Trees