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Ask the Expert
Big-Wall Warrior Mark Synnott Answers
Your Climbing Queries
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How has your free climbing experience helped in this or other
climbs? What's the hardest free climb you have ever
attempted?
—Steven T., Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Steven,
Free climbing is the foundation for all different types of climbing and it is
definitely something I've worked hard at over the years. On big
wall climbs, there are always mandatory sections of free climbing where it
is not possible to aid past the section. This could be an off-width crack, a
runout slab or maybe just a very aesthetic crack in which it would be much
better style and more fun to go free. Also, the better free climber you are,
the faster you will be able to move, the less time you'll spend out
there in those realms where you're exposed to hazards such as rock
or icefall. I have attempted several 5.13 climbs, in fact I was on one today,
though the hardest grade I've been able to successfully redpoint is
5.12d. I was actually close to getting that climb today so this might be the
season for me to finally push into a new level.
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About Our Expert
"A lot of people don't realize it, but the only thing you really need to climb
big walls, or any big route, is determination," says Mark Synnott. OK. But
what else does it take to best a big wall?
E-mail Mark and he'll give you the skinny on everything from grub to
gear to getting started. And he should know.
Mark has bagged more than 50 big walls, including Argentina's Cerro
Torre and first ascents on Canada's Baffin Island and southern Asia's
Karakoram Range. And when he's not climbing, he's helping design new
North Face equipment or contributing to magazines like National
Geographic, Outside, and Climbing.
E-mail Mark
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Climber Mark Synnott
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National Geographic Atlas of the World