Editors
Editors

Climbed the classic 300-meter route without a rope

climbingVideos

Dave MacLeod is known for his extraordinary nerves. Be it bold trad lines, wild mixed routes or free soloing: the Scots are not easily ruffled. His most recent video shows him rope free on the Left Hand Route on Ben Nevis.

Dave MacLeod has opened up the most difficult lines for decades. With first ascents like Rhapsody (E11, 7a) or Echo Wall on the north face of Ben Nevis, he has once again explored the limits of trad climbing.

Compared to these bold routes, the 300-meter Left Hand Route seems the most Ben Nevis almost a walk. Of course that's not entirely true. Dave MacLeod summarizes the challenges of his free solo ascent as follows:

"With a line of this length on Ben Nevis, the most challenging part of a free solo is finding the route."

Dave MacLeod

Video: Dave MacLeod rope free climbs 300m route on Ben Nevis

That might interest you

Nerves of Steel: Dave MacLeod repeats the trad route Lexicon (E11, 7a)
Learn more

Don't miss anything - receive our newsletter

* Indicates required
Interests

+ + +

Credits: Cover picture Dave MacLeod

News

climbing

German Lead Championship this weekend: Who will take the titles?

0
This weekend, Germany's best lead climbers will compete for the national titles in Darmstadt. Last year's winners, Anna Apel and Yannick Nagel, are also registered. Find all the information about the starting field, schedule, and livestream of the 2026 German Lead Climbing Championships here.
mountaineering

Following a fatal avalanche accident in the Großarltal valley: Investigations against Austrian Alpine Club mountain guide discontinued.

0
In January 2026, four participants in a training group of the Austrian Alpine Club died in an avalanche in the Großarltal valley. The Salzburg public prosecutor's office subsequently investigated the group leader but has now dropped the case. The Alpine Club expresses its solidarity with its mountain and ski guide.
climbing

“Drifter’s Escape”: Pietro Vidi achieves the first replay

0
Italian trad climbing pro Pietro Vidi has secured the first repeat of "Drifter's Escape" (9a+, 5.15a). On October 13th, he completed Connor Herson's trad route on Stawamus Chief in Squamish. It is considered one of the hardest crack climbs in the world.
climbing

“DüDaDo in Nowhere” (8a+) – New Alpine multi-pitch route by Schild & Bacchetto

0
Jonas Schild and Anja Bacchetto have established a new alpine multi-pitch route on the Scheideggwetterhorn. "DüDaDo im Nirgendwo" (8a+) ascends the Epp Pillar in nine pitches. Schild achieved the first free ascent in September.

German Lead Championship this weekend: Who will take the titles?

Editors -
This weekend, Germany's best lead climbers will compete for the national titles in Darmstadt. Last year's winners, Anna Apel and Yannick Nagel, are also registered. Find all the information about the starting field, schedule, and livestream of the 2026 German Lead Climbing Championships here.
Read more

Following a fatal avalanche accident in the Großarltal valley: Investigations against Austrian Alpine Club mountain guide discontinued.

Editors -
In January 2026, four participants in a training group of the Austrian Alpine Club died in an avalanche in the Großarltal valley. The Salzburg public prosecutor's office subsequently investigated the group leader but has now dropped the case. The Alpine Club expresses its solidarity with its mountain and ski guide.
Read more

“Drifter’s Escape”: Pietro Vidi achieves the first replay

Editors -
Italian trad climbing pro Pietro Vidi has secured the first repeat of "Drifter's Escape" (9a+, 5.15a). On October 13th, he completed Connor Herson's trad route on Stawamus Chief in Squamish. It is considered one of the hardest crack climbs in the world.
Read more