UKC

I haven't noticed anything about this in the climbing press, only the local Hobart paper. Paul Pritchard got up the Totem Pole earlier this week, 18 years after his horrible and life-changing accident.

http://www.themercury.com.au/news/tasmania/paul-pritchard-faces-toughest-ch...

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

My God. Chapeau. Isn't it E5 or something? How the hell did he do that?!

jcm

In reply to johncoxmysteriously:

Not sure; I would imagine it wasn't an entirely free ascent but I really don't know.

Still incredibly impressive under any circumstances. I remember some years back there was a documentary about him walking to Cape Hauy (where the Totem Pole is) and that in itself was a considerable challenge (it's about a 1.5-2 hour walk under normal circumstances).

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Absolutely fantastic!
Bet he's chuffed to bits!!

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Deep Play has to be one of the best books ever written. Brilliant.

In reply to johncoxmysteriously:

Judging from the photo, I'd say he was jumaring it. Not to decry him in any way - it must be a fantastic feeling to return and get to the top.

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Cor bet he put some ghosts to rest with that. Agrred, deep play is deffo amongst the top climbing books out there

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Wow - he's definitely pushing the YOLO philosophy:

"Last year Mr Pritchard became the first wheelchair racer to take on the Point to Pinnacle, the world’s toughest half marathon.

In 2005 he tackled Kilimanjaro, he has also rafted the Franklin and been on expeditions to the Himalayas, Patagonia and the Arctic.

There is no stopping Mr Pritchard, who is planning a 2100km expedition in September from Lake Eyre to Mt Kosciuszko — “from the lowest to the highest point in Australia”."

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Brilliant

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Interview coming soon...

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

This is just so brilliant!!

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Massive respect Pritch ... Well done kid. Can't wait for the interview/insight.

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Wow, good going - looking forward to the interview!

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Nice one Paul. Fantastic.

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Good to hear! Fantastic news! His books are great! One of the best climbing books I've read!

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Deep Play is the real deal, as is Paul. Brilliant!

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Thanks for posting this.

Total respect to Paul Pritchard. Gives me the heebie jeebies just looking at the Totem Pole.

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

A tiny bit disappointing that the caption to the picture suggests PP 'fell from' the Totem Pole the first time round, since as I understand it the problem was more that the TP, or a bit of it, fell on him.

Still, perhaps only climbers would care about the difference, and I'm sure PP doesn't worry how the non-climbing press puts it.

jcm

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

This popped up on my facebook feed. A friend in Australia was part of the team. Paul jumared up the route.

From Tasmania wildlife services facebook

"Conquering your demons...

Three Capes Track and Cape Hauy day walkers were witness to a remarkable event a few days ago: the return of Paul Pritchard to climb the Totem Pole.

Only 20 to 30 climbers attempt to climb this 60 metre high dolerite pillar each year.

In 1998, Paul was making his first climbing attempt accompanied by his girlfriend, when just a few minutes into the climb, a falling rock cracked his skull. With nobody else on the cape that day, Celia rope-hauled and secured him to a safe ledge (which took 3 hours), then climbed her way out (an extraordinary feat unaccompanied) and ran to Fortescue Bay to get help. By the time help arrived (another 5 hours later), Paul was barely conscious.

Paul lives to tell the tale but has been left with permanent leg and arm injuries.

On Monday, Paul returned to the Totem Pole to finish what he started 18 years ago. After 6 hours, with one working arm and one working leg, he succeeded.

Congratulations Paul!"

Link

https://www.facebook.com/147512044296/photos/a.421476944296.180665.14751204...

Some more photos on his Paul's facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1019332370&sk=photos&collec...

Sorry no idea if the links work

In reply to Captain Fastrousers:

Blimey! That's an impressive effort - nice one Paul!