Wacky Granite Tufa route: Carlo Traversi climbs Empath (9a +)

Carlo Traversi managed the first ascent of the Empath route in Kirkwood in October 2020, followed by repetitions by Jimmy Webb and Daniel Woods. This video shows the process behind the first ascent of this impressive line.

Carlo Traversi started looking for new blocks and routes in Kirkwood, California, together with Jimmy Webb. Among other things, the two found the impressive line empath (9a +), which is one of the most difficult routes in North America thanks to the first ascent by Carlo Traversi.

The Empath route is essentially a Tufa route in granite rock. Snake-like structures, cracks, pincers and numerous slopers characterize the line in the gray-black rock.

The route has hardly any horizontally resilient handles and requires precise shifting of the body position between trains. If you are looking for a new route like I did, you hope to find a route like Empath.

Carlo Traversi

Video about Carlo Traversis first ascent of Empath (9a +) in Kirkwood

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Credits: Images Black Diamond / Christian Adam

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