Weekend Whipper: Downeast Fall (Cannon Cliff Girdle Traverse)

Alan Chu takes a spill while attempting the girdle traverse of Cannon Cliff, New Hampshire—possibly the biggest alpine objective on the east coast.

“[My climbing partner] Steve said it was only a 5.9,” says Chu, “so I went up the vegetated crack and placed a .3 X4 [cam] and backup nut before I began the difficult slab.

“I suck at slab. Got to the end and it was blank. I tried to finger a shitty pocket, before I lost balance.”

Chu fell past three pieces of gear, around 30 feet, and “bummed my butt,” but received no injuries. He took the fall a second time (no video)—and so did his partner Steve—before he sent it.

It turns out that the slab was 5.10 R, not 5.9.

Stay safe out there!

Watch last week’s Weekend Whipper: Ice Climbing Leader Fall

And Cannon Cliff Winter Girdle Traverse