The Asgard Project :: On the climb! We've received the latest update from Leo and the team - unfortunately there have been some communication problems and only the second part of the update was received but it really brings home the difficulties the team are facing tak... View page for full story

On the climb!
We've received the latest update from Leo and the team - unfortunately there have been some communication problems and only the second part of the update was received but it really brings home the difficulties the team are facing taking on the mighty Mount Asgard.

• Day 6
  

The steep and blank nature of the rock forced Leo and Stanley to full on aid climb today
Progress was extremely slow. It looks free climbable, but too hard to do onsight with a few questionable sections.
We only fixed two pitches.
Meanwhile, Chris and Jason started to move the camp upto the ledge on belay 4, they brought the portaledges and enough food and gear for 1 night.
Unfortunately the stove was damaged during the haul, so we had no hot food today.

• Day 7

Having not eaten or drunk anything all day or all night yesterday, we woke up wanting to go
home.
Stanley gallantly descended to get the other stove. After coffee and breakfast, motivation started to return.
Leo and Stanley climbed up and fixed another 3 pitched.
Chris, Jason and Al brought the rest of the camp to the ledge.
Leo and Stanley returned to camp after midnight, they where both exhausted.
The route still looks free climbable but we are running out of time.
The weather is still and clear but very cold as we are in the shade all day.

• Day 8

The jumar up to the high point is becoming very long, our hands are a bloody mess!
It is very difficult to get going in the morning.
Two very slow pitches of difficult aid climbing, Leo took the first fall of the trip, a 15 ft time bomb.
Aid climbing is very hard work, wish we could focus on free climbing but we need to get to the top of this thing.

• Day 9

Oh dear, the weather is deteriorating. we now have the first real wind of the trip, its brutally cold and extremely intimidating when it blows.
It feels more like mid winter and not mid summer.
Everyone is wearing all their clothes.
If this wind persists, I'm not sure if we are going to make it.
It's Stanley's birthday, 34 years old today - that will be a portaledge party and flapjacks to celebrate!
If the wind calms down we will try to free climb and film some pitches today.
If the wind persists, we will be in the portaledges all day.
It's only 6 more pitches to the top but we need to film and free some stuff.
Its going to be a big challenge to get everyone up and off Asgard in the next 6 days.