Pete Whittaker succeeds in what is probably only his second ascent of the difficult Pura Pura trad line (8c) in the Italian Valle dell'Orco. The unorthodox creation goes back to Tom Randall, who in 2014 expanded the famous Greenspit cracked roof to include the Boulder Green Shadow underneath.
Crack specialist Pete Whittaker repeats Tom Randall's route in Valle dell'Orco pure pure (8c). This combines the Boulder Green Shadow with the world-famous Greenspit trad line (8b+). The 12 meter long, horizontal cracked roof is a touchstone in itself. By combining it with the bouldering problem, the climbing distance doubles to a good 25 meters.
I'm pretty sure only Tom Randall would think of doing something like that. But if you like that sort of thing, Pura Pura is a linkup that guarantees a good pump.
Pete Whittaker
The most difficult crack in Europe
Greenspit was developed in 2005 by the Swiss crack specialist Didier berthod first climbed after several years of planning. In 2008, Nicolas Favresse achieved the second ascent and confirmed the difficulty level of 8b+ given by Berthod.
Trad first ascents in the high-end range
It is hardly surprising that Pete Whittaker was able to repeat the slightly harder version of Greenspit with Pura Pura (8c). The Englishman currently seems to be achieving almost everything he sets out to do on the rock. This is how he got to the Jossingfjord in Norway Eiger dose (8c) and Crown Royale (9a) two superlative Trad first ascents.
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- Longest and steepest crack tour in the world on bridge climbed | Pete Whittaker & Tom Randall
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Credits: Cover picture Pete Whittaker