Mnemosyne E9, first ascent, Ben Nevis north face

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  • čas přidán 12. 09. 2021
  • TBH I almost just walked away from this route because the protection was seemed so bad and that ledge rather threatening. But you never really know the true difficulty and seriousness of it until you try it properly. When I did, it unravelled bit by bit. Still scary as hell to lead though and I did not want to test those RP0s!
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Komentáře • 138

  • @WideBoyz
    @WideBoyz Před 2 lety +139

    Great effort Dave, especially the energy put into the gear placing and down climb👍
    Nice point about the 'trying in poor conditions to improve sequence'. I often think the same and have usually found the small micro beta of routes either when conditions are bad or I'm tired at the end of a session (because I want it to feel as it previously did in good conditions or when I was fresher 😅)

  • @limpcallfish
    @limpcallfish Před 2 lety +12

    Non/new climbers probably think this is trad climbing. No this is Scottish Dave MacLeod climbing. Big difference.

  • @masasakano
    @masasakano Před 2 lety +58

    Congratulations, Dave! Top effort!
    Do 8b downclimbing with power-scream to climb an 8a - that's some trad climbing.

    • @climbermacleod
      @climbermacleod  Před 2 lety +9

      Thanks Masa, been meaning to drop you a line to see how you are doing. We have not been climbing for ages.

  • @robiniapseudoacacia
    @robiniapseudoacacia Před 2 lety

    Absolutely brilliant and inspiring Dave. Thankyou for taking the time and sharing this.

  • @mrthirty1139
    @mrthirty1139 Před 2 lety

    Wow, great video Dave. Congrats on the route!

  • @iantarncarpentry4285
    @iantarncarpentry4285 Před 2 lety +1

    Yes!! Being waiting patiently for one of your videos, thank you!

  • @simonmorley9962
    @simonmorley9962 Před 2 lety

    Fabulous achievement Dave and what a crackin' route, so well filmed and great commentary. Subscribed and looking forward to more of your adventures!

  • @andymorris17
    @andymorris17 Před 2 lety +11

    Fantastic effort Dave! You've brilliantly captured your focused and studious approach to mitigating some of the risks involved with climbing these types of routes - its great to watch and learn from, thanks so much!

  • @nsewnsew1
    @nsewnsew1 Před 2 lety +1

    Well done, Dave, and thanks for sharing the send with us. It was really cool to see your process.

  • @BrunoAxhausen
    @BrunoAxhausen Před 2 lety

    this was an absolute joy to watch, thank you Dave!!!

  • @fks8218
    @fks8218 Před 2 lety

    Wow! Exactly the inspiration needed for a low motivation Monday night training session. Great stuff!

  • @terraflow__bryanburdo4547

    I've seen most or maybe all of your videos over the years, but this one had my throat the most dry. Great work, no plans to emulate!

  • @arrdubz5839
    @arrdubz5839 Před 2 lety

    Absolutely incredible, well done Dave.

  • @mw5360
    @mw5360 Před 2 lety

    The best-made climbing content on CZcams. Such great and inspiring work.

  • @AndrewMacFarlane
    @AndrewMacFarlane Před 2 lety +6

    This was incredible! Well done Dave!!

  • @yuval1302
    @yuval1302 Před 2 lety

    Always awesome to see your videos, and SENDS! Keep going!

  • @TocTocTrax
    @TocTocTrax Před 2 lety

    I really enjoyed watching your amazing video! Thanks for sharing!

  • @pdebra6542
    @pdebra6542 Před 2 lety +4

    So nice to se a new video of you climbing hard. And with Robbie Phillips in it too, couldn't be more perfect!

  • @samhartfieldlewis5247
    @samhartfieldlewis5247 Před 2 lety

    Amazing.
    Well worked out format respect ✊

  • @paulmorin2582
    @paulmorin2582 Před 2 lety

    Brilliant content on all levels, from the climbing to the production value. Congratulations on a job extraordinarily well done.

  • @adrianmowat
    @adrianmowat Před 2 lety +3

    We’ll done Dave! The epic battle on the down climb was awesome

  • @johnhenryoliver1
    @johnhenryoliver1 Před 2 lety

    Brilliantly articulated project as usual 👍🏻

  • @ARustySpork
    @ARustySpork Před 2 lety

    Absolutely fantastic video! A masterclass in how to climb hard and what a fantastic new line too.

  • @CasaDelMandar
    @CasaDelMandar Před 2 lety +2

    Awesome video and great work! I was super stoked to see robbie philips in there too!

  • @LoveAndClimbing
    @LoveAndClimbing Před 2 lety +2

    It's great to have good enough sound quality to hear one of my heroes doing the "shaky breath" thing. We're all scaring ourselves on rock, just you're doing it on much harder routes than I am!
    Congrats on the ascent!

  • @M0dElite
    @M0dElite Před 2 lety +5

    Yes! A video from Dave Mac is always something to wait for. Gongratulations for another great first ascent!

    • @El_krux
      @El_krux Před 2 lety +1

      Indeed! Best climbing channel by far imo.

  • @brennanburns4326
    @brennanburns4326 Před 2 lety

    Amazing video Dave!

  • @lambdalandis
    @lambdalandis Před 2 lety

    Congrats Dave!

  • @glipquux
    @glipquux Před 2 lety +29

    beautiful footage, wonderful window into a world of climbing inaccessible to most. the gear placement narration was great

    • @AlexExplorer
      @AlexExplorer Před 2 lety

      I've been watching the weather on Ben Nevis for some time and I can say with absolute confidence that whether there is unpredictable!

  • @CourtsInPorts
    @CourtsInPorts Před rokem

    That is absolutely incredible video. This is my new favorite channel and I would never consider rock climbing. Much respect to all mountain climbers.
    I will just thank you for your 10 elbow recovery tips for bringing me here.
    Great content!

  • @kar0x
    @kar0x Před 2 lety

    congratulations with this awesome first ascend!

  • @anthill4623
    @anthill4623 Před 2 lety

    Congratulations on the climb~!

  • @JonnoDuck
    @JonnoDuck Před 2 lety

    Absolutely brilliant video. Well done on the send. That did not look easy.

  • @noahh2338
    @noahh2338 Před 9 měsíci

    Best in the biz! Great climb mac!

  • @jlsjls4210
    @jlsjls4210 Před 2 lety +1

    Awesome video. All nitty-gritty, uber-geekery, anyone could ever ask for!

  • @mattnathans4834
    @mattnathans4834 Před 2 lety

    right on Dave! love the narration along with the action to fill us in. would you consider showing us more of you wizard's gear placements?
    thanks!

  • @andrewgregory6680
    @andrewgregory6680 Před 2 lety

    Good job man! That’s awesome!!

  • @bonefishboards
    @bonefishboards Před rokem

    Awesome! Love that we don't need to bolt everything. This is why I subscribe.

  • @JonSteitzer
    @JonSteitzer Před 2 lety

    Amazing stuff. Huge respect.

  • @ralfrussel1950
    @ralfrussel1950 Před 2 lety +2

    Robbies helmet looks so comfortable. And congrats on the FA.

  • @saulsjourney7767
    @saulsjourney7767 Před 2 lety

    Great movie as usual, Dave.

  • @ferrells0987
    @ferrells0987 Před 2 lety

    best video you've ever done, Dave.

  • @alpinekiwi
    @alpinekiwi Před 2 lety

    Bravo!
    Great solo camera work too!

  • @jaketaylor24081991
    @jaketaylor24081991 Před 2 lety

    Epic vid. Keep them coming

  • @chillpurr275
    @chillpurr275 Před 2 lety

    Nice one, the rock looks amazing!

  • @KombiLife
    @KombiLife Před 2 lety +8

    Watching from my van, currently in the Austrian Alps. That was AMAZING!!!! Great work Dave 🙌

  • @kieran1289
    @kieran1289 Před rokem

    The Dave & Robbie combo is excellent

  • @TheDiabolicalDoogle
    @TheDiabolicalDoogle Před 2 lety

    So happy to see a 16 min video

  • @jonathanschmidt1668
    @jonathanschmidt1668 Před 2 lety +7

    Great route, climbing and good to see robbie phillips.

  • @AlexExplorer
    @AlexExplorer Před 2 lety +1

    I've been watching the weather on Ben Nevis for some time and I can say with absolute confidence that whether there is unpredictable!

  • @dab88
    @dab88 Před 2 lety +1

    Taps-Aff! That was bloody awesome

  • @StevenSugref
    @StevenSugref Před 2 lety

    That was absolutely tremendous!

  • @iljano20
    @iljano20 Před 2 lety

    That downclimb was sick🤯👏👏👏👏

  • @paulhowden720
    @paulhowden720 Před 2 lety

    Quality yet again from DM 🤟🤟

  • @hijack80
    @hijack80 Před 2 lety

    great effort!

  • @howler6490
    @howler6490 Před 2 lety

    I just wish there had been a top camera as you fiddled with those "runners"...it would've been spectacular!
    Great work Dave...

  • @howler6490
    @howler6490 Před 2 lety

    Well in there ,Big Man. 110%
    You should repeat with a camera assistant...we want to watch the fiddling and footering involved in placing the crux gear...sounded amazing!

  • @russellbrooks5073
    @russellbrooks5073 Před 2 lety

    World class Dave

  • @lukeglaister81
    @lukeglaister81 Před 2 lety +1

    Legend 🙌

  • @adventurefilmclub2549
    @adventurefilmclub2549 Před 2 lety

    Unbelievable ascent! Still pushing at the limits of scary as feck Trad in the UK! Beyond impressive levels of iron will!

  • @robertgallacher7214
    @robertgallacher7214 Před 2 lety

    Don't worry about the dry summers. Atlantic moving into it's cool phase so look forward to a return to traditional four season years instead of the mild damp winter and cool damp summers that have dominated Scottish weather during the warm phase. Love the film, fucking animal that doesn't look like slowing down any time soon. Can't wait to see more from THE Ben.

  • @rickedeckard2006
    @rickedeckard2006 Před 2 lety +2

    Two of the best Scots!

  • @BASEmedia
    @BASEmedia Před 2 lety

    What a line! 💪🏻👊🏻

  • @oldi6btm6t9d4
    @oldi6btm6t9d4 Před 2 lety +1

    trad climbing's kinna crazy

  • @MechanixPL
    @MechanixPL Před 2 lety +1

    Well worth the wait. I'd rather have a video like that once every one - two months than something less inspiring, which seems to be the trend these days. Let me rewatch it now.

  • @benruefmedia
    @benruefmedia Před 2 lety

    Yewweeww this was such a pleasure to experience.

  • @Parkour96MK
    @Parkour96MK Před 2 lety

    You are a mad man.

  • @matthewosborne4441
    @matthewosborne4441 Před 2 lety

    Dave huge fan of your content. Just sticking this on for some psyche before I head out for the day. At some point, I would love to see a video on flexibility in climbing performance. In your book, you seem to regard it as a fairly minor factor. I was wondering if that view had changed at all?

  • @mrjling
    @mrjling Před 2 lety

    Top class

  • @slives8848
    @slives8848 Před 2 lety

    Top off for the power!

  • @VDB420
    @VDB420 Před 2 lety +1

    Hey Dave, nice vid! You say you were "warmed up, relaxed and determined to finish the job". How do you deal with expectations that might get in the way of your climbing?

  • @simongreenthumb6376
    @simongreenthumb6376 Před 2 lety

    superb post Dave.....top banana

  • @lukynskylukynsky1068
    @lukynskylukynsky1068 Před 2 lety

    Brilliant good job 👏 👏👏👏🤩🤩

  • @johnhudson5414
    @johnhudson5414 Před 2 lety

    Hi Dave, that looks like a great route. However it's a bit of a faff going up and down with skyhook and long rests when you just want to do it in one. May I bring my makita sds and some resin and chuck a few bolts in?

  • @adammcneill8637
    @adammcneill8637 Před 2 lety +1

    as always your an amazing inspiration, whats the thinking behind the name? mnemosyne goddess of memory

  • @chloetodd250
    @chloetodd250 Před 2 lety

    so good, is that intermediate top rope anchor just rope threaded through two holes in the rock?

  • @ryantaylor6470
    @ryantaylor6470 Před 2 lety +35

    Would be interested in knowing how confidant were you in the gear holding if you did fall at the crux? looks like a ton of placements but didn't sound like any single piece was that great but I imagine as a whole there was a good chance of it catching you?

    • @climbermacleod
      @climbermacleod  Před 2 lety +34

      It’s an unknown and definitely not confident any of it would hold. Obviously the number of runners increases it from a small probability to a less small probability. But still, the strategy is to lead when you will not fall off, and not before.

    • @tristanmayfield4851
      @tristanmayfield4851 Před 2 lety +3

      @@climbermacleod Have you ever taken something like a sandbag and actually tested the fall on various climbs? Probably not often necessary but I've had others do it and say it's sometimes helpful and other times (when it confirms you will die) not so much.

    • @kyledrake9750
      @kyledrake9750 Před 2 lety +1

      @@tristanmayfield4851 You can also take a whipper with a top rope backup. Just gotta cover your eyes in case you get tagged with Shrapnel.

  • @Blaghhhhhhhhhhhh
    @Blaghhhhhhhhhhhh Před 2 lety

    Just what was needed.
    If I had 1/8th your ability I'd be more than happy..

  • @suezix8689
    @suezix8689 Před 2 lety

    Hi Dave, well done, and then some. But I wanted to ask about the name: why her? Is it because you almost forgot (abandoned) the route?

  • @reecepowell788
    @reecepowell788 Před 2 lety +2

    I feel like 'relying on sky hooks' is beyond what my head game will ever be capable of.
    What did you think with a cool head on how bomber that gear was?

    • @climbermacleod
      @climbermacleod  Před 2 lety +19

      Oh I was definitely not relying on them. I was relying on being prepared to climb with no falls.

  • @terraflow__bryanburdo4547

    "Wee bit..": Scottish sandbagging.

  • @rellify3
    @rellify3 Před 2 lety +8

    Nice! Thanks for showing the process, love it. I'm curious, I would have assumed that leading, placing gear, and downclimbing for a rest, would be sort of frowned upon stylistically for the final "send"? Is this common in hard trad? I stick to sport climbing, so I'm sure I'm ignorant of many things here

    • @climbermacleod
      @climbermacleod  Před 2 lety +24

      There is nothing wrong with climbing down during a climb, including in sport climbing. The thing that is important is not falling/weighting the rope.

    • @michaeledwards7604
      @michaeledwards7604 Před 2 lety +1

      @@climbermacleod I'm recovering from major ankle surgery (left ankle fusion). Down climbing while bouldering is essential so I don't shock load the ankle. I've always found downclimbing difficult and I'm learning heaps now that have to do it often.

    • @GattMiffin
      @GattMiffin Před 2 lety +1

      Not good stlye imo. Downclimbing a few feet to a ledge is one thing, but taking half an hour while your belayer climbs something else seems off.

    • @tomwalden961
      @tomwalden961 Před 2 lety

      @@climbermacleod Great video, I was going to ask the same question, Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on climbing ethics in general.

    • @kyledrake9750
      @kyledrake9750 Před 2 lety +3

      @@GattMiffin Looking at it from a cragging point of view where gear might be bomber but slow to place, so you downclimb for a rest, I see your point.
      However, if you were on a dangerous pitch and had gear that you could not trust enough to hang off let along fall on then it is entirely appropriate.
      Whether you are aiding or free soloing, I think all is fine so long as you are honest about what you have done.

  • @DefinitelyNotTwitter
    @DefinitelyNotTwitter Před 2 lety

    Would be very interested to hear your take on deciding what gear is and isn't worth placing. I'm currently looking at a rather more modest headpoint with dubious hard to place gear, which almost feels safer to ignore given the huge increase in difficulty for questionable pay off. Do you ever test placements prior to attempting a route or simply rely on experience and positive thinking?

    • @climbermacleod
      @climbermacleod  Před 2 lety

      Depends entirely on the route/ placement/ your probability of falling. You can only judge it placement by placement and use experience.

  • @austindonisan
    @austindonisan Před 2 lety

    Would leaving a fixed rope up to work the route not have been legal/acceptable there?

  • @GavinW1997
    @GavinW1997 Před 2 lety +2

    Taps aff for CZcams

  • @paulwolf3302
    @paulwolf3302 Před 2 lety

    Is there a lot of loose rock in Ben Nevis because of the freeze thaw cycles?

  • @robertpepper5256
    @robertpepper5256 Před 2 lety +4

    When I have downclimbed after making a sketchy high placement, once I’m back on the ledge or ground I grip both sides of the rope and seriously bounce test my gear. Personally I find this tactic both reassuring and ethically sound. Your nest of gear seemed much less secure than my typical “questionable” placement and this may not have been practical, as if your’s were a one shot package deal of protection, also you may not be comfortable with the ethical questions bounce testing might raise. Any thoughts?

  • @MattyDredge
    @MattyDredge Před rokem

    Dave, would this style of ascent count as a headpoint?

  • @chyza2012
    @chyza2012 Před 22 dny

    If leaving the gear in, downclimbing all the way to the ground, and doing the whole route again counts, how long can you go away for? Could you come back the next day to finish the route and still have it count? Climbing is already a very contrived sport but the rules here just seem bizarre.

  • @xtrailz
    @xtrailz Před 2 lety +1

    Stick a few bolts in and be done with it.

  • @andrewmcintyre19able
    @andrewmcintyre19able Před 2 lety

    I nearly stopped breathing. 1st class

  • @hamishlivo
    @hamishlivo Před 2 lety +1

    What's the significance of the route name, Mnemosyne?

    • @petestack
      @petestack Před 2 lety +1

      Greek goddess... seems to fit with general themes on that part of the Ben (specifically for being a sibling of the Titans).

  • @escaladaseguraamimanera3621

    nearly inaccesible wall brother...

  • @ijustwannaleaveacommentony6511

    what's an RPO?

  • @Mitzbergatc
    @Mitzbergatc Před 2 lety +1

    I am slightly confised... can a climb be claimed if climbed with the gear (and rope) already in?
    I thought for a tick to count you had to place your own gear as you climb...
    Are there rules I don't know?

    • @aspuzling
      @aspuzling Před 2 lety +2

      The original idea of ground-up onsight climbing is simply are you be able to go from the bottom to top without falling or using aid. That means placing gear and retreating to the ground to rest is fine. This climb was not done ground-up but still follows the other parts of the onsight ethic. I think this is a lot more common in trad but the same applies to sport climbing too.

    • @DaleTurrell
      @DaleTurrell Před 2 lety +2

      If you want to be technical the gear and rope weren't already in, he climbed up, placed and clipped the gear then downclimbed to a ledge to rest. I'm sure you've been in a position where you try a sequence on a route or boulder that didn't work, got pumped then downclimbed a few moves to a good hold or a rest to recover or shakeout. It's the same principle just taken to it's logical conclusion. From an aesthetical point of view I personally think it's better to place the gear and climb it in the same "push", but that doesn't mean not doing that isn't valid.

  • @waynehiggins899
    @waynehiggins899 Před 2 lety

    Well done 💪💪 #yourafuckingbeast

  • @SyRyanYang
    @SyRyanYang Před 2 lety +2

    I ask myself WWMD before making any important decisions in my life. What would Magnus do?

  • @pasopschrikdraad
    @pasopschrikdraad Před 2 lety

    12:02

  • @SlamPvP
    @SlamPvP Před 2 lety

    can anyone explain the ethics behind the placing gear on lead then resting on the ground for as long as you like?

    • @mw5360
      @mw5360 Před 2 lety +1

      Seems fine to me tbh.

    • @ThirdEyePried
      @ThirdEyePried Před 2 lety

      It seems like, in this case, the ledge isn't technically the ground. I'm assuming that it's still part of the route therefore kind of like a no hands rest. But I'm just guessing. I'm just a pebble wrestler that has never been more than 1 pitch off of the ground so it's all a bit hazy to me.

    • @Thejohnster1012
      @Thejohnster1012 Před 2 lety

      similar sort of thing to the quick draws being in place before a sport climb maybe?

    • @saulsarry
      @saulsarry Před 2 lety

      Providing you place the gear under your own steam and don't weight it, it's acceptable

    • @baddingo4243
      @baddingo4243 Před 2 lety +2

      UK zones tactic, it seems. I am American and have been climbing all over the States for twenty years. Spent time in Continental Europe, Australia, China. Not an accepted practice in any of those places, in my experience. I got nothing against it, other than it seems like an absurd level of fuckery.

  • @crobbw
    @crobbw Před 2 lety

    You didn’t mention the other option, just bolt it!