After La Ramirole in the Verdon Gorge, Katherine Choong manages another difficult multi-pitch route: Hattori Hanzo. The line with difficulties up to 8b+ runs through the north face of the Titlis in seven pitches.
Katherine Choong is in top form – physically and mentally. In the Titlis north face she climbed the challenging route at the beginning of the week Hattori hanzo (8b+). "I'm so happy that I was able to climb the seven pitches in one day without falling," enthuses the Jura native. «And the best thing is that this is my partner Jim Zimmerman also succeeded on the same day."
«I am so happy that I was able to climb the seven pitches of Hattori Hanzo in one day without falling. And the best thing is that my partner Jim Zimmerman did the same on the same day.»
Katherine Choong
Mental and physical challenge
Although the first four pitches of Hattori Hanzo are classified as "easy" in the route guide at 5b, 6b, 7b and 6c, they should not be underestimated according to Katherine Choong. The combination of vertical slab climbing, very small holds and sparse protection add spice to the entry ropes. "Together with the ascent, you're mentally challenged quite a bit before you even reach the key pitches that follow a long, impressive overhang."
"Together with the ascent, you're mentally challenged quite a bit before you even reach the key pitches that follow a long, impressive overhang."
Katherine Choong
failures and long falls
The first attempt at Hattori Hanzo didn't go according to plan for Katherine Choong and Jim Zimmermann. "We made a lot of mistakes and fell in the key pitch runouts." Accordingly, they were not able to climb to the summit. But the two didn't let that discourage them.
"Thanks to our mutual support, we managed to decipher all the moves and finally climbed all the pitches."
Katherine Choong
The magic happened as they worked the Crux pitch day in and day out. "Thanks to our mutual support, we managed to decode all the moves and finally climbed all the pitches," says Katherine Choong.
That might interest you
- Video: That's behind Katherine Choong's inspection of Jungfraumarathon (9a)
- Katherine Choong: "That is the greatest achievement of my career."
- Katherine Choong climbs Eiger-Route Deep Blue Sea onsight
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Credits: Cover picture Vladek Zumr