UKC

Josh Wharton is no stranger to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.In this video from Black Diamond he tackles his last remaining route there - the infamous Hallucinogen Wall.

Watch the video: http://www.ukclimbing.com/videos/play.php?i=2366

In reply to UKC Videos: The Black looks absolutely phenomenal!

In reply to Duncan Campbell:

wow great video, but that flake ! 'kin hell.

In reply to lithos:

I'd have thought his sponsors BD might lend him a helmet after a near miss and a direct head strike.

In reply to UKC Videos:

That was thoroughly ace, thanks for sharing.

In reply to UKC Videos:

As chasms go, it's an extremely impressive thing, the Black Canyon. The scenery is awesome and I was far more impressed with it than the Grand Canyon tbh. It's just so deep and so narrow, the walls are mainly vertical and huge. The vid doesn't really give a true sense of the immense exposure.

You need a wilderness permit just to get to the bottom and none of the relatively few ways down are a straightforward 'walk'. None of the trails into the inner canyon are maintained nor marked; even the easiest is extremely steep, rocky and strenuous. Head height poison ivy is a hazard of major proportions, virtually impossible to avoid and ticks abound as well. The comment about the heat is right. The walls really absorb heat and temps on the North rim when we were there were around 38-40C, but reached 47C one day, which was also the hottest day in Colorado for several years.

The huge flake detaching itself in the film is something else - and nicely understated too - but far more remarkable is the sheer number of routes Josh's done there as it's quite a remote place and the climbing's not exactly, erm, 'accessible'. His route tally is almost unbelievable, all things considered.

Great vid; brought back some really good memories. Thanks.

In reply to UKC Videos: Yay, an American who says "route" properly. BC looks awesome - any easy routes there for punters?