Patrick Edlinger and what remains of climbing

Precisely five years after the death of French climber Patrick Edlinger, some thoughts and a video of one of the absolute climbing legends.

It’s been 5 years to the day. It feels like a century. Everything seems to have vanished so quickly. Faded away into the past. On November 16, 2012, Patrick Edlinger left us forever and the question arises about what remains of him, and also of that "revolutionary" climbing of which, at the end of the ‘70s and start of the ‘80s, Edlinger was indisputable prophet. There is just one answer, and it goes with a smile: what remains of Patrick, of that climbing and of that "invention" is sheer beauty. And that beauty will remain forever. And it will go hand in hand with the happiness of expressing and exploring an idea that attempts to go beyond the boundaries of the ordinary.

This is why, in order to remember Patrick Edlinger, we’re suggesting you watch his Opera Vertical which together with another film, La Vie au bout des doigts, is one of the modern manifestos (and masterpieces) of rock climbing. Full-stop. The film is 26 minutes long and the full-length version is embedded below. Although it’s worth watching in its entirety, if you only have a few minutes to spare then fast forward to 20:21 and enjoy the end. Then, we’re certain, you’ll return again (and again) to watch it!









>> Watch our video interview with Patrick Edlinger filmed at the Trento Film Festival in 2009

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