Connor Herson mini-doc FA’s the world’s first 9a+ trad

Connor Herson made the first ascent of Drifter’s Escape (9a+) in February. Including several trad ascents at 8c+ and above, the 22-year-old currently holds the most impressive traditional climbing tick lists in the world.

The line is the fifth pitch of an old aid route and includes two initial bolts that protect easier terrain from a serious potential fall. The 20-metre crack is mostly protected with small cams (0.2 or smaller), and Herson spent roughly 20 sessions over two seasons working the route. Most of the pitch climbs at around 8a crack difficulty with linked sequences, before finishing with hard 8A boulder-style cruxes.