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Gigantor is a Chossy Sandbagged 5.12cR Trad Route

Zac Vertrees made the first and second free ascent of this wild Australian climb - with 15 years between

Australian climber Zac Vertrees is at home on the Dogface climbing Gigantor, a route first aid climbed in 1967 by John Ewbank. Vertress freed the route in 2005, yet it has not seen a second free ascent since.

Fifteen years later in 2020, he returned to re-climb it and finds it tougher than ever before. The Dogface is notoriously scary, gear can pop, holds break, rusty bolts snap by hand and the climbing is always a sandy affair.

Vertress gave the route 26R [5.12cR]. However, filmmaker Ben Sanford said, “Just quietly though, Vertress mentioned to me that The Great Shark Hunt a grade 30/5.13c crack at Mount Buffalo felt easier than Gigantor.” Watch the amazing new film below.

Gigantor

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