DESERT
FRICTION
..
a 500 meter granite slab leaning only
65º, an angle that is deceptively
comforting from the bottom, but dauntingly exposed once you're off the
ground ...
"Best Film
on Climbing"
BANFF FILM
FESTIVAL
Read more about
the
FRESH AIR CREW on www.freshaircrew.com |
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Spitzkop is a mountain rising out of
the desolate landscapes of the Namibian Desert. On its
South-West face a brown water streak runs almost vertically from top to
bottom. The route is quite featureless, it is a perfect slab and there
are practically no hand or footholds. Only one group has successfully
repeated the climb since it’s bold opening party, despite
numerous attempts.
The climb has got a serious reputation and it’s called INXS.
It is a 500 meter granite slab leaning only 65 degrees, an angle that
is deceptively comforting from the bottom but dauntingly exposed once
you’re off the ground and there is NOTHING to hang on to.
Jeremy Samson is a leading all round rock climber and mountaineer. He
has climbed extreme routes all around the world and his forte is
climbing long, complicated and adventurous routes. Ever since the route
INXS was opened it has been a dream of his to travel to the Namibian
Desert and repeat the route. But he needs the perfect partner.
Justin Hawkins is a highly competitive sport climber. He has won
numerous national and international competitions and is world class in
the gymnastic “bouldering” forum too. His passion
is for the pure movement of climbing. The controlled nature of sport
climbing and bouldering provides him the environment in which to push
his climbing grades to the limit. Justin is an incredibly powerful
climber.
The route up Spitzkop poses a unique problem to both climbers
… they must rely on miniscule crystals as hand and foot
holds and the pure friction of their climbing shoes and the skin of
their hands.
After following the climbers in their preparation for the attempt,
Fresh Air Crew journeyed to Namibia to see and record the climb
…

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