It was another drunken evening in El Chorro. As two climbers, Australian Andrew Mortimer and Brit Andy Tappa became steadily more intoxicated, challenges began to take shape. After much debate and swearing they came up with a truly epic challenge. The speed ascent of El Chorro's classic multi pitch, Amptrax. As no record existed, training was essential, so they continued to drink beer and eat their pickled jalapenoes.
Greeting the cold dawn of day, arguing slightly over the effectivness of hair of the dog, the pair set off on their historical attempt. Arriving at the base of Amptrax, they then wasted 40 bloody minutes trying to find the damn thing. The giant Antrax [sic] scrawl was a bit of a hint as to where it was. Using this as the starting point, the junk show raced up until the final pitch.
With Andy Tappa on the sharp end, and Andrew Mortimer seconding, they put all their speed climbing knowledge to use. Since their knowledge was limited to things they had learnt whilst watching the Reel Rock Film Tour 2012 a few nights prior, the safety aspect was, at best, dubious. Once Andrew had slapped the painted 'eye' directly below the final anchors, they considered the speed ascent complete.
The (onsight) speed climbing record of Amptrax has been set at 1hr, 3mins and 5secs on a hungover 12/01/2012. Simultaneously climbed by the unusual pairing of Australian Andrew Mortimer and Brit Andy Tappa. Putting national pride aside, the two free climbed all 8 pitches (only occasionally shouting racial abuse at each other).
The record is set to be broken, anyone visiting El Chorro give it a try
