The Naked Edge Done in 26 Minutes, See Video Clip
Scott Bennett and Brad Gobright set a new record on The Naked Edge in Eldorado Canyon, beating their rivals' time by 15 seconds.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 40% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Scott Bennett and Brad Gobright have reclaimed their speed record on The Naked Edge (5.11), climbing the 460-foot route in a blistering 26 minutes, 16 seconds. Their climb, on Wednesday, is 15 seconds faster than the previous record set by Jason Wells and Stefan Griebel in August.
“It went surprisingly well,” Gobright wrote to Rock and Ice. “I felt semi-relaxed almost the whole time.”
Bennett starting leading immediately after running the approach and soloing some ledges and ramps up to 5.8. “My heart rate and breathing were super high. I had to take a quick rest before entering the most runout section of the route for fear that I wouldn’t be able to stay calm while breathing so hard!” he wrote in an email exchange with Rock and Ice.
Completing Eldorado Canyon’s The Naked Edge, one of the most classic climbs in the United States, involves the time it takes to go “bridge-to-bridge,” or round-trip from the approach/descent trail.
On August 16 Wells and Griebel climbed The Naked Edge in 26:33, breaking Bennett and Gobright’s record of 29:53, which was set on June 10. In January 2013, Bennett and Gobright completed the climb in 44 minutes, which seemed as almost preposterously fast at the time.
Although the rivalry has pushed them ever faster, the climbers remain amicable, even having the competing pair time them.
The evening Bennett and Gobright set the current record, Griebel posted on Mountain Project, “Scott and Brad just lowered [the record] to 26m16s this evening. Wow, speed climbing this thing is so much fun! Go do it!!”
Check out Stefan Griebel and Jason Wells setting the speed record here!