First Ascent of Footprints, 50' Highball

[dltutt]

Really didn't need those douches on the bottom trying to be master spotters. Don't need them at all. more like a stretcher if he did fall. But nonetheless. Out-fucken-standing!!!!!

[yogonify]

There is a difference between highball bouldering and free solo, this rock should be a bolted sport route.

[ShadyCrux]

@yogonify if you're scared, go to church. dont go around bolting or suggesting to bolt others' problems. in fact, i suggest you relegate yourself to eternal ropegun - that way you never have to get scared, improve, or really even climb anything! cheers hangdog gumby!

[BeepimajeepBeep]

lol, that is a big rock

[Ethy787]

"solid dude."

[Wookiee81]

makes my blood run cold watching people highball that big.. keep thinking "cheese grater then broken ankle"

[dyshilton]

@Wookiee81 that's not cheese grater to broken ankle that's cheese grater to death

[eddthewelsh1]

i think it's called Footprints cos thats all that would be left of the climber who lost it on there! top send though!

[sstrong42]

Nice send Kevin!

[dvdsky8]

ummm hey spotters, put your hands down and walk away. The only thing YOUR gonna do is increase the number of people injured.

[silverimperial]

yeh this is how climbing gets such a dangerous rap.......people who get confused on what boldering is and do a solo climb insted.....you know its 2 high when u jump off and hurt a poor guy thinking that spotting you is gona work at that height... but hes still a bamf ill give him that lol nice climbing..........

[pdxmirage]

That's so badass. From where KJ is at when the video starts to the top is like your standard height boulder problem lol.

[rocofab]

where is this?

[JimboWizbo]

I can't even imagine how it felt up there.

[martinmedeski]

surely thats a free solo? imagine the spotters getting pulverised

[ricknet57]

Where abouts is the crux on this thing?

[ricknet57]

Balls out! I love the dudes with their arms up like they're somehow

spotting the guy! Nice job!

[baboonkee]

I just bought this dudes signature pad

[mpgxsvcd]

You wouldn't get a second try at that one. Definitely a free solo. I would have thought the spotters would step away after he crossed 30 feet. They just risk injury to themselves once the climber gets that high.

Great climb. Takes some real nerves of steel to climb that without a rope.

[SattesCircle]

Holy Shit. That counts as a free solo.

[Noold]

I'm not bagging the dude, just being reasonable. Why take that kind of risk, when he could top rope it?

[benoblest]

@Noold The guy who posted this video is the climber! also, wheres the thrill if theirs no risk?

[ricknet57]

@Noold Are you freakin kidding?

Cimbing is not a safe sport!

If one has the skills and the balls to pull this off, I believe it to be, climbing's purist

form of artistic expression.

[sailskisurf23]

@Noold cuz he's a BAMF... duh?

[kloud51]

wtf is up with the spotters?! lol

[darkgift06]

so that he could land on you & break his fall lol.

[ovomusic]

Kevin Jorgeson is one of the ballsiest climbers around. Check out his send of The Fly. Amazing.

[ninedfour]

ok, that's a free solo. Those dude's spotting him are useless!

[redlerb]

oh they're not spotters, they're enchanters willing him up the face.

[boxsterwelby]

the title says v9 crux. But, other people say it's a 5.9/5.10 crux. Which is it? Huge difference.

[smokeweedinhell666]

Holy shit. Bold send mate!

[P3313]

That is ridiculous. I highly doubt that the spotters would be able to do anything if he fell, save get crushed themselves. But props to the man. That takes some serious confidence in your climbing ability. Does anybody know where the crux is?

[jammanator]

the crux is a big move down low below the slab. the slab has a scary 10+ stand up move shown in this vid

[llamaero1234]

Past 30' (a height from which falls are often fatal) you're into the realm of free-soloing.

[turdoly1]

@llamaero1234 you are so naive

[yaqubwaggy]

lol the guys spotting him.

[boulder000]

That was huge..

[jammanator]

just to clarify, since your description may be misleading- Shown here, kevin is on the mental crux of the route, which is probably not harder than a V0+ slab move. the V9 crux, is a big move, much closer to the ground.

[xbelafontex]

what a cool boulder! nice work man

[masonic3rd]

Spotter's on the ground won't help at all

if this man sail's.... Nice solo.

[realcampusman]

@masonic3rd

agree'd they wont help

its called a high ball free solo

solo is with gear

[hankfoshizzle]

not irresponsible, fucking hardcore. if you are climbing v9 you are probably experienced enough to understand the consequences of blowing off a hold on a 50 foot boulder. its your decision, and if you want to do it, then right on and good luck

[climbingc0by]

What can that spotter do other than break a 50' ft fall with his body

[Noold]

No kidding, climbing this high without a rope is irresponsible, and plain stupid. I don't care how good you are.

[climbingc0by]

Just to be fair, an interview with him in Urban climber, he starts off with a couple of head point and trad accents before the initial free solo. Not like he does this sort of thing trying to do an onsight free solo. None the less it is dangerous but a calculated risk. KJ is a bad Mofo!!!

[Noold]

There is nowhere to place protection on that face, save for a top rope. One small flake or slip from that high means possible death or paralysis. Not a risk worth taking, regardless of how well you plan.

[bryantm6]

why do you have to bag on people with balls just cause you're a pussy? You should be stoked for him on this awesome climb not acting like some overprotective mother with her grade school aged kid. stfu.

[hatedrivesus]

seruiously dudes got balls

[Maxdwolf]

That is a value judgment for him to make. Noone else. Crazy, yes. Stupid and irresponsible, no. Not if he's aware of and acknowledges the risk.

[realcampusman]

@Maxdwolf

free soloing is dangerous

[Maxdwolf]

realcampusman- I am aware of that. I am sure the climber is as well. It is a greater risk than I would be willing to take. I was differentiating between stupid and crazy.

[realcampusman]

we know that, thanks

[kbb28]

maybe not for bitches such as yourself

[r0ck3tsm0k3]

Looks like you could just walk up the other side :)

Id meet him up there.

[golfismygame88]

just a wee bit past highball i would say

[Jimar35]

In my understanding a highball is an extended boulder problem this was a solo a very good and bold solo a fall from the top would result in serious injuries and most likely death

[dnpoolman]

insane in the membrane. see ya in bishop.

[joanne1017]

So funny the spotters.. They were just shiting there pants and did not know what to do most likely.. Nice job on the send

[romeocasido]

Wow. Nuts. What if the camera op forgot to record that? I wouldn't be his friend anymore.

No bolts up at the top I guess? That wasn't a highball, it was a free solo. What possible help can those spotters be at that point.