CAMPBELL’S SOUP CANS—a simple image that allowed an expression of modern culture at the time. Andy Warhol’s painting became an icon of the pop art movement in the 1960s. The vivid tones, pure lines and crisp edges continue to captivate audiences at the Museum
FIRST ASCENTS of 2009
EMERGENCE
BY JAMES MORRIS
of Modern Art in New York. It is these same features that are sought on a new boulder problem in the Castle Hill Basin. Although these artworks will not be displayed in a gallery or sold for millions at a New York auction, they are making a statement. Castle Hill keeps revealing new, challenging lines in an area that people have been climbing at for decades. Two thousand and nine is proving to be a year of discovery and motivation for first ascents in this modern style: bold, technically challenging, involved, pure and beautiful. Teamwork and group tactics are perhaps the reason why these first ascents are so special. All aspects of the process become more exciting and enjoyable with a group of enthusiastic people; starting with the endless search for lines, collaborating ideas and miming possible sequences, to cleaning and working the problem and culminating with the send. The following photographs illustrate this process and showcase the problems of the highest quality that have emerged this year.
Weapon Omega (V11) Captain Marvel Project (P)
Flock Hill Climber: Derek Thatcher f5.0 1/250 sec
Flock Hill Climber: Zachary Orme f5.6 1/400 sec
Those who speak most of progress measure it by quantity and not by quality [George Santayana]
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THE CLIMBER ISSUE 69, SPRING 2009
Tijuana Bottle Rocket Climber: Justin Wood
THE CLIMBER ISSUE 69, SPRING 2009
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