Exit Crack | Yosemite Higher Spire Free, Part 4 (VR180)
Visible from all over Yosemite Valley, the pitch 11 roof is the last difficult challenge on Higher Cathedral Spire. A difficult 5.12 roof crack that requires athlete Ben Rueck to jam his hands deep into the rock while smearing both feet against the rock.Tricky gear placements and a dangerous swing back into the rear wall make this a place he can't mess up.
Climbing Higher Cathedral Spire in Yosemite Valley is an achievement for any climber. The Regular Northwest Route was first climbed by Yosemite climbers Royal Robbins and Tom Frost in 1962. 1200 feet tall and packed with challenges, the climb established them both as two of the world's leading climbers. Until 2018 the route had never been free climbed when Kevin Jorgeson and Ben Rueck set out to do just that. Watch in VR180 as these two Adidas climbing athletes take on the challenge of freeing one Yosemite National Park's most classic climbs.
Directed & Edited by Jeff Rueppel, Advanced Yeti Productions
Co-Producer Abbey Smith, Unknown Artists
Staring Athletes Kevin Jorgeson and Ben Rueck
Technical Rigging Ryan Sheridan and Chris Seefoo
Ground Support Priscilla Mewbourne
Special Thanks to Pete Takeda, Dusty Reid, Lena Palmer, Sterling Ropes, La Sportiva USA, Osprey, Rock & Ice, Touchstone Climbing, Digital Stoke Media