We got word from Chuck Odette via Joe Kinder that Chris Sharma visited Maple last weekend. He didn't just do well- he onsighted two of the hardest routes there, without any trickery, beta or kneepads.

Here's what Chuck had to say:

"I was in Maple on Sat. when Chris "on sighted" Devine Fury (14b). Took him 23-24 minutes to do the route. He had to YELL a lot to get through the crux which I'm guessing he made 14c or 14d by missing the "approved" sequences with no knee bars, scums or even drop knees.
Pretty much straight on one-armed his way through the crux section mid-way out.

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photo: John Evans


"Chris on sighted T-Rex (14b) on Thursday and didn't even know what it was. He called me Thursday night and described it to me. I came down on Saturday to confirm it. He said it was really pumpy. On Friday, he was a little tired so he on sighted Sprout (13a/b), Toxic Turkey (13b/c)and Whole Shot (13d/14a) and I think Squeal Like a Pig (13b)."

Considering Chris's recent ascent of "Jumbo Love", his fitness could be at an all time high and onsighting .14b (or c or d) should be right about the level you would expect- a number below his redpoint limit.

Great effort. And only the beginning of what could be an on-sighting spree in the US as conditions get good and no more long term projects to bog him down... for now.

-MC