Tim Emmett and Slovenian climber Klemen Premrl have established a remarkable new line at Helmcken Falls in Canada, which the pair have named Interstellar Spice. The climb has been described by Tim as "By far the hardest, longest and coolest single pitch ice climb either of us have done before."
© aVision Photography/Chris Collacott
The steep pitch is 260ft long and overhangs by about 30 metres, starting up Tim's existing line Clash of the Titans WI 10+ before breaking left through a series of roofs. The climbing involves just two moves on rock and follows a long line of 28 bolts through a maze of ice daggers and mushrooms up to the lip of a cave.
© Tim Emmett
The pair spent a week working the route with a specifically designed 200m rope for the colossal line, requiring just a handful of attempts each to succeed on the redpoint.
© Tim Emmett
Tim and Klemen are no strangers to hard, visionary ice lines. In 2012, they established the first route to be given the grade of WI 11, with Wolverine - also at Helmcken Falls, and made the first repeat of Will Gadd's Overhead Hazard in 2014.
Due to their steep and physical nature, it is difficult to compare these routes with normal ice routes, but as far as adventurous winter climbing in a wild situation goes, Interstellar Spice offers - in Tim's opinion - "Possibly the ultimate winter climbing experience."
Visit Tim's Facebook Athlete Page.
Tim is sponsored by: Adidas Eyewear, Black Diamond, Edelweiss, Juice Plus, Mountain Hardwear and Scarpa
Klemen is sponsored by: Black Diamond
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