On a recent Red Chili tour of the USA, with Stefan Glowacz and members of the US team, Ben Moon found time to send a well known project in Little Cottonwood canyon Utah. The 'Swamp Arete', as it was known, had repulsed locals for a number of years but after a couple of days of effort Ben sent the line. Now called 'Eclipse' and graded V13 or 8A+, it's a mega-steep, granite arete featuring brutal pulls, undercuts and slaps on less-than-generous holds.
Ben comments: - it's a really cool problem that I'd had my eye on ever since I lived in SLC a few seasons ago. I'm pretty strong at the moment but it was still a hard send as conditions were a little warm and for me it's just great to get something so hard ticked on a roadtrip - always a bonus.
Also whilst on tour Ben polished off a few more classics, including the classic and now harder Mandala V13 8A+ 4th try.

Video clip - www.moonclimbing.com

More pictures - www.redchili.de