Ned Feehally has just returned from a two week trip to Ticino, Switzerland, where his ticklist highlights included three hard classics at Chironico and Brione: Big Paw (f8C) 8B+, Vecchio Leone (f8B) 8B and Nobody ist der Größte 8A.
Ned told UKC:
'I didn't do loads, but I went for quality over quantity!'
Big Paw was first climbed by Dave Graham in 2008 and is the sit start of Boogalagga 8B, a stunning blunt arête. Originally graded 8C, repeat ascensionists have since suggested 8B+, which Ned agrees with:
'I think it seems to have settled at 8B+ now. That felt about right to me. Big Paw climbs from a sit start up a series of layaways and edges, to a crux move into a small pocket. I'd always wanted to do this problem and it was worth the trip alone.'
Ned added:
'Vecchio Leone is one of the best 8B boulder problems anywhere. An overhanging wall with perfect sculpted edges and poor footholds. Nobody ist der Größte is a totally unique problem on slopers. It climbs more like a Font problem, but on smooth river polished granite.'
Ned is sponsored by: Beastmaker, Five Ten, Friction Labs, Organic and Patagonia
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