UKC

Adam Ondra, Pete Whittaker, and Will Bosi explore the unique ethics and hard trad lines of Adršpach, Czech Republic.

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Best climbing film I've seen in ages. Stunning place, great music, proper adventures and some important heritage to tie it all together. Brill.

Good to see the best climbers in the world getting schooled too...

For us this video shows the true flavour of Czech sandstone. We have been very lucky to have climbed on many occasions, the feeling of reaching the summit is incredible. Almost like an alpine summit.

Tony & Sarah

I agree, that was class. 

Almost? Better!

Great film! My two favourite Adam quotes: 1. (about Aliens): Pete: Do these things actually work then? “I don’t know, I’ve never placed one”. And 2: “I don’t place knots, I just clip the rings and run it out”. 
 

There’s an Easter egg too. When Adam takes a biggish fall while being watched by the 1st ascentionist (1961?), you hear a single sentence in Czech which doesn’t have a subtitle. Apparently it means “D’you wanna beer?”

That was brilliant.

Si.

Loved it - between Adam running it out and that horrific looking flared chimney, that was excellent viewing!

I felt a bit sorry for Will. A bit like inviting Usain Bolt to a fell race!

Really enjoyed this. Stunning scenery and loved the relaxing nature of the film, even though gripped at the same time.

One thing caught my eye which did no understand. Around 18:57 it looks like there are two quickdraws on the same ring, both threaded with the lead rope. Any ideas why two quickdraws

Absolutely incredible - what those Czech guys were doing right back in the 1960s and with so little protection. That rounded open chimney groove looks about as hard as climbing of that type comes. To see just how much Adam Ondra struggled on it spoke volumes. It would be interesting to know just what English sandstone grade it would get on a top rope. 7a?

The way quick draws hang on a big ring (I.e. with gate facing out) means the rope is prone to unclip itself in a fall. Two quick draws, with opposing gates, avoids this. And it's not like you need a lot of quick draws on these routes...

They were climbing E2 in the 1920s, a long time before the Brits.

And E3 in the 1930s.

Found it showed his character in a beautiful light, not taking himselft too seriously, no inflated ego.

Good that you mention that. I actually had the rope unclip just like that on a wire. The gate facing in on the rock it can actually open on impact, thus two draws is a good shout.

More from the same trip  youtube.com/watch?v=z8vDHIioev0&

That’s a great comparison. I also felt kind of sorry for Will: he’s hardly a Lord of Trad, but I’m sure he enjoyed himself immensely. Didn’t want to write that in my first post, I have immense respect for him and his achievements, but you put it brilliantly in a nutshell for us. Thanks!

Indeed. There's no denying that he's got a long neck.