16 August 2023
How Olympian Tom O'Halloran trained for the hardest route in Australia
Tom OโHalloran made the FA of Hump of Trouble in Blue Mountains last week. The Olympian, who already has done five 9aโs, has not suggested a grade but calls it the hardest route in Australia.
โI bolted the route in 2014. Started trying it seriously in 2017. Then spent 2018 and 2019 fully dedicated to it. 2020 was injury and Olympics prep. 2021 Olympics. 2022 it didnโt dry out due to epic amounts of rain. Then sent after 9 days this year. I think itโs around 60-70 days total. Many days finding beta. Many days with not the best weather or tactics or whatever else, but also many days giving it everything I have and leaving empty handed. Happy to have it over with and thinking about new projects. There are many which have had to be put aside while I tried this project.
I really donโt know about grade. I prepped a lot better this year than previous years. Plus just being a better climber, coming back after nearly four years away. Itโs given me the most amount of trouble than any others route. Though Iโd named it Hump of Trouble prior to attempting it. It lived up to its name!โ
โI bolted the route in 2014. Started trying it seriously in 2017. Then spent 2018 and 2019 fully dedicated to it. 2020 was injury and Olympics prep. 2021 Olympics. 2022 it didnโt dry out due to epic amounts of rain. Then sent after 9 days this year. I think itโs around 60-70 days total. Many days finding beta. Many days with not the best weather or tactics or whatever else, but also many days giving it everything I have and leaving empty handed. Happy to have it over with and thinking about new projects. There are many which have had to be put aside while I tried this project.
I really donโt know about grade. I prepped a lot better this year than previous years. Plus just being a better climber, coming back after nearly four years away. Itโs given me the most amount of trouble than any others route. Though Iโd named it Hump of Trouble prior to attempting it. It lived up to its name!โ
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