Weekend Whipper: It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over
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Brad Richards was enjoying good friction from 20-degree temps as he worked the sloper-crux of It’s a Natural (V7) at Horse Pens 40, Alabama—then
a five-minute rain storm swept through. He covered the crux holds with his chalk bag and jacket, “foolishly” thinking that it would be a good idea
to keep projecting, he says.
After the storm, he powered through the crux and mantle and a few moves from the top, just as he thought he had the climb in the bag, discovered that
the slab finish was a sheet of ice. Friction gone!
Brad tells Rock and Ice, “I landed in between two boulders in some leaves and was very lucky to not break my back or pelvis.
“After I realized I was ok, I just started laughing for a good minute or two. Packed up and left right after that haha. I realized that I had pushed my
luck by bouldering alone in sketchy conditions.”
Happy Friday and stay safe out there!
Watch last week’s Weekend Whipper: Glissading Gone Wrong
Video submitted by Brad Richard.