Will Gadd Sends The Mustang P-51 (M14-) Second Go – with Video

Will Gadd is only a couple of years away from qualifying for a CARP membership (Canadian version of AARP), but he’s still got it. Yesterday, Gadd cruised The Mustang P-51 (M14-), in The Fang Amphitheater of East Vail, Colorado—second go.

“A little luck and a lot of pump got it done 2nd try,” Gadd posted on Instagram. “Still as psyched on this crazy sport as ever!”

Gadd is no stranger to the Fang Amphitheater—where he established the world’s first M9 Amphibian and M10 Reptile—but it’s been 17 years since he last scratched around in East Vail.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Gadd won the City Rock Night Ice Comp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The next morning, December 7, Gadd was “battling through the endless roof” of The Mustang P-51.

The 60-meter mixed route, established by Will Mayo, starts on the Seventh Tentacle (WI5 M6, Jeff Lowe 1994), behind The Fang, and moves right into the 30-meter horizontal roof traverse of Gadd’s Reptile. The route ends at a ledge and single bolt anchor above The Flying Fortress (M13).

When Gadd reached the anchor on his second attempt, he opted for the 60-foot victory—keeping in style with Kwon Young-Hye, who made the route’s first repeat (on his third go) last December.

“I could never have imagined the psyche for mixed climbing that would grow out of the routes Jeff Lowe, Helgi Christianson, Pete Takeda and I did here almost 20 years ago. But it sure is cool to see today!” Gadd writes.

Gadd’s Still Got It: “The Mustang P-51” (M14-), The Fang Amphitheater, East Vail, Colorado