Steven Bradshaw Climbs Yahoo Predator
My daughter has recently taken an interest in sport climbing, and thus so have I. Coincidentally, my friend Preston is also a climber, and he invited us to watch his friend Steven Bradshaw work a local route called "Yahoo Predator" this past weekend.
The 5.13b Predator is, believe it or not, in Pacific Palisades (or the Highlands, more properly), and it is definitely a feisty little climb. For context on that rating, see Climber.org's description—they are not entirely joking.
I was playing around with a new long lens, and therefore rather unforgivably fiddling with my gear rather than paying full attention to Steve.
I guess I didn't quite realize the gravity of the situation?
Sorry Steven! Next time I'll keep the camera rolling. As for the rest of you, please enjoy this clip of inspired (and slightly controversial) SoCal urban climbing.
— November 16, 2023
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents
jeffrey constine May 25, 2024 at 6:54 pm
Using a knee pad 100% cheating one day someone will actually climb it without using any aid. It was not done like that on the first ascent sorry. I would not call it. I will call it going around crux 100%.
Andy June 3, 2024 at 11:33 am
Jeff I'm not plugged in enough to the climbing community to make that call, but in my own inexpert opinion, I'll agree--if the knee pad was used to create friction that otherwise didn't exist, that sounds like aid climbing to me.
Thanks for your work in developing and maintaining this crag. It's a hidden gem. :)