A Great Year for Edelweiss

2012 was a very good year for team Edelweiss U.S.A. Over the internet and in the pages of our favorite climbing magazines, we read the names of Hayden Kennedy, Kyle Dempster, Cheyne Lempe, and Pamela Pack for their over the edge style of climbing. Photos and videos generated quick applause from us, the weekend warriors, as we were able to visualize their phenomenal feats. Thanks to technology and the dedicated members of the climbing media, their amazing accomplishments did not go unseen.

Pamela Pack’s first ascent of the hardest off-width crack in Vedawoo left everyone amazed by her tenacious efforts to tackle a beast of a climb. Pack defeated The Forever War after she allowed the 5.13c/d R monster to swallow her legs and torso while dangling her upside down.

Just recently, the “Super Big List” for the Piolets d’Or was posted on pioletsdor.com. We were honored to see that Kyle Dempster, Hayden Kennedy, and Cheyne Lempe made the preliminary list for these prestigious awards. Our hopes are that their amazing efforts to establish historical first ascents will merit them to be finalists of the Piolets d’Or.

Hayden Kennedy has been nominated for his three phenomenal ascents:
First complete ascent of the southeast ridge of Cerro Torre, Chalten Massif
First ascent of the east face and fourth overall ascent of K7, Masherbrum Range
First ascent of the southeast ridge to southeast face to south face, and third overall ascent of Baintha Brakk (The Orge), Panmah Mustagh

Kyle Dempster has been nominated for his two major ascents:
First ascent of the east face and fourth overall ascent of K7, Masherbrum Range
First ascent of the southeast ridge to southeast face to south face, and third overall ascent of Baintha Brakk (The Orge), Panmah Mustagh

Cheyne Lempe has been nominated for his stellar ascent:
First ascent of the North Pillar Sitz Start a Mermoz-Fitz Roy link-up in Chalten Massif