Houlding's Patagonian Epic In His Own Words
'Perhaps the worst decision I've ever made on a rock climb' he says of the foot-crunching misjudgment that put his climbing career in jeopardy
Posted: 23 July 2002
by Jon
Leo Houlding's foot-trashing epic while attempting the
Maestri-Eggar route on Cerro Torre, Patagonia has had a fair amount
of exposure in the specialist climbing magazines, but if you've
missed it or want the story direct from the horse's mouth, Leo's own
account is up on the Berghaus web site.
Leo fell while attempting to repeat a series of moves he'd already
managed with a little aid from a fixed rope: 'Perhaps the worst
decision I've ever made on a rock climb,' he says now, though adding
'I regret it not'.
The result of the slip was a badly shattered tallus bone in his
foot and a painful retreat to base camp and, eventually, home. The
good news is that after the bone was rebuilt using a graft from his
hip, Leo's on the way to recovery and hoping to be climbing in
Yosemite in October. He's also planning a re-match with Cerro Torre
next year...
For Leo's full account see the Berghaus
web site.
Discuss this story
|
