Mäusetod

Climbing "Mäusetod" (Mouse Death, grade 6) was an exercise in controlled panic and delicate movement. The name alone conjures images of a precarious and unforgiving situation, and the route certainly lived up to it. The rock was a grey, almost polished limestone, offering minimal holds. The crux involved a long reach to a barely-there crimp followed by a committing move to a slopey, rounded hold. My fingers screamed in protest as I pulled through, fighting the pump. Below, the ground looked a long way down, amplifying the mental game. The rest of the route, while technically easier, demanded constant focus. Each hold had to be inspected, tested, and trusted. The feeling of clipping the chains at the top was pure relief and a sense of accomplishment well-earned. It was a climb that tested not only physical strength, but also mental fortitude and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Definitely one to remember, albeit with a slightly morbid amusement at its name.

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