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The longest fall Paz Zaldumbide ever took was on the mega 42-meter single pitch La Flecha Perdida (7b/5.12b) at Piedra Parada, Argentina. La Flecha Perdida is a … classically bolted sport climb (i.e. you’ve got to climb for a long way between bolts).
Zaldumbide said she was in reach of the next bolt but too tired to place a quickdraw—and definitely too tired to clip it. “I was afraid because I knew that the fall would be very big,” she said, “but I also knew that my belayer had experience. For me, it was a very good experience to fall since it allowed me to climb the route with more confidence the next time.”
“I think the greatest learning I had was realizing how falls determine progress! When you fall on a route it means you are leaving the comfort zone, and in both climbing and life itself, it is necessary to make oneself uncomfortable to transform!
Couldn’t agree with you more, Paz. Happy Friday, and be safe out there this weekend.