With out taking any credit from any one or diminishing any efforts I think its fair to say that 2010 will not go down in the history books as one of the most productive years for cutting edge alpinism. How ever a few bright stars are shining stronger than ever. This is no ranking of efforts or in any way a complete list of outstanding efforts. Its just climbs and events I think are worth mentioning one more time in this brief summary of 2010.
1. Colin Haley is the first person I like to feature. It would be almost rude not to start out this summary with out starting by mentioning Colin. The frenzy of Colins climbing is truly outstanding and inspiring. His raid in Alaska this spring with Bjørn-Eivind Årtun was all but ordinary. They did a simul solo of Cassin Ridge (Denai) in 17 to the top. Then the team pulled off a huge First Ascent on the South West Face of Foraker. They named the new route Dracula. During the summer Colin and Mikey Schaefer made a significant ascent of the Diabolo Traverse on Devils Thumb (on the BC-Alaska border). Colin also managed to go to Yosemite and in November he pulled off a Solo ascent of Cerro Standhardt via the EXOCET Route. Productivity numbers are up!
Photos Colin Haley
http://colinhaley.blogspot.com
2. Last years Piolet d'Or winners (with Jed Brown) Kyle Dempster and Bruce Normand teamed up for a visit to western China. The result has been covered extensively in all major climbing media. I'm sure there new route on Mt.Edgar is a sure bet for an other Piolet d'Or nomination. If for some political or other bizarre reason this climb is not nominated for a Piolet d'Or the event will lose all its credibility once again. This will be interesting to follow. I once again lift my hat for my friends!
The stunning line on Mt.Edgar, photo Bruce Normand
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web10f/newswire-dempster-normand-sichuan
3. Lunag II First ascent of summit and route
I guess this is a clear candidate for the Piolet d'Or. Looks like great climbing and executed in great style. This French team is no doubt composed by some strong guys. Mathieu Maynadier, Sebastien Ratel, Mathieu Détrie and Maxime Belleville. Look at the cool video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPsfk9tq-a4
4. Giri Giri Boys on Mt.Logan
Mt. Logan's east peak via its virgin 8,500' southeast face—what some called the continent's biggest and most significant remaining alpine challenge I-TO (ED+: WI5 M6, 2500m)
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web10s/newswire-logan-giri-giri
4. Cholatse via Russians
This ascent looks hard and like huge undertaking. Only thing I'm not sure of is how it was climbed. Looking at the pictures it looks like they used some kind of capsule style with aid and short fixing. But non the less it looks great and it was done in winter
http://www.Mountain.ru/article/article_display1.php?article_id=4411
5. Chad Kellogg has soloed what looks like a exposed new line on the famed South Face of Aconcagua 6,962m.
http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/solo_new_route_on_aconcagua_south_face/
6. The all female ascent of Amin Brakk i Pakistan
Ukrainians Marina Kopteva (leader) and Anna Yasinskaya, teaming up with Russian Galina Chibitok summited Amin Brakk after climbing its west face via the Czech Express route (A3-А4 27 VI 70?), according to RussianClimb.com. A repeat but a great effort and one of few interesting ascents in Pakistan during 2010.
http://explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?id=19512
Cool efforts:
Brittish Annapuruna 3 looks like an outstanding problem...
http://annapurna3expedition.blogspot.com/
Latok 1 Futuristic line and classic problems...
http://www.alpinist.com/doc/web10x/newswire-giri-latok-update
Dawn Wall Project Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson
http://tommyandbecca.blogspot.com/
Community Service gold medal: Rolo Garibotti for his on-line Patagonia top
http://www.pataclimb.com
Best clean up effort: Rolo Garibotti for clering off the bolts left by David Lama on Cerro Torre...
http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/1319502/Bolts-chopped-on-Cerro-Torre
Comeback kid of the Year:
Steve House looks like he is back in great shape after having had a massive accident and missing out on his K2 attempt.
Books of interest:
Freddie Wilkinson http://www.amazon.com/One-Mountain-Thousand-Summits-Tragedy/dp/0451231198/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292583237&sr=1-1
Steve House http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Mountain-Steve-House/dp/097906595X
Blogs of interest apart from this one...
http://verticalcarnival.blogspot.com
Lost:
Too many great guys where lost in 2010 all missed by partners, friends and loved once.
