First Free Climb of Underground Big Wall

It is often that people are travelling halfway around the world for an
adventure, even though there are some epic adventures almost in your
backyard. Macocha is this massive hole, an abyss that is 138m deep, in
the middle of Moravsky Kras (Czechia, Europe). Deep at the bottom, there is a massive
arch that had never been free-climbed. Undoubtedly the longest and
steepest wall in the whole country, in the most bizarre location. It
is usually climbed within a few days as an aidclimb during special
5-day window every December when it is allowed to climb here upon
special permission.

Look at the video featuring me climbing a route called Příklepový
strop, an adventurous 5-pitch route up to 8b+, full of rusty pegs and
bolts and surprisingly excellent climbing. The overlook of the pitches: 8b+, 8b+, 8a+, 7a and 6c doesn’t really make much justice for how adventurous, difficult and unique an experience it was. Poor protection, humidity, cold temperature, wild overhang and a limited number of days you can try it make it something I will never forget.

One of my all-time favorite
climbing experiences and one of my favorite videos too!

ENGLISH SUBTITLES AVAILABLE IN THE VIDEO SETTINGS
ČESKÉ TITULKY JSOU DOSTUPNÉ V NASTAVENÍ VIDEA

00:00 – Intro
01:27- Adam Ondra introduces the Macocha light hole (Moravian Karst, Czechia, Europe)
02:28 – Dušan Janák (Czech climber) found out Příklepnový strop line in 2015
03:44 – Pavel Weisser – Back in 1996
05:30 – Dušan “Stoupa” Janák (Very accomplished all-round climber and mountaineer)
07:14 – The first pitch, 8b+
14:48 – Not enough energy?
15:42 – The first pitch, 8b+ and the second try
18:20 – Small talk while making the kneebar :-)
19:14 – Anchor 1
19:40 – Dušan Janák talking about the first pitch
20:00 – The second pitch, 8b+ (the onsight try)
22:13 – No chance!
23:34 – The second pitch, 8b+ and the second try
23:40 – Slip
24:02 – The second pitch, 8b+ and the third try
27:03 – Anchor 2
28:02 – The third try pitch, 8a+ and the second try
29:20 – Anchor 3
29:42 – Lukáš “Asu” Abt – Adam’s friend and Moravien Karst lover
29:56 – The fourth pitch, 7a (onsight try)
30:02 – SUBSCRIBE = SUPPORT
30:44 – Anchor 4 and onsight
31:27 – The fifth pitch, 6c (onsight try)
32:25 – Anchor 5, onsight and BRAVO!
33:02 – Dušan Janák talks about Adam’s ascent
33:25 – Outro

Get yourself amazed by beautiful pictures in my AO Photo Book:
https://eshop.adamondra.com/p-ao-book

Have you seen this video of mine ?!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbMWyAoHMks

Thumbnail picture by: Petr Chodura

Special thanks to
Pavel Weisser
Dušan ”Stoupa” Janák
Lukáš “Asu” Abt
Filip Chalupka
Moravian Karst Protected Landscape Area
Cave Administration of the Moravian Karst

Story by
Adam Ondra

Directed & Edited by
Pavel Klement

Camera
Pavel Klement
Laco Korbel
Jan Vogl

Drone pilot
Vojta Ličko

Sound mix
Jiří Klement

Motion Graphics
Michal Fíbek

Archive footage
Petr Kašpar
Pavel Weisser
Míra Šmíd
Ivan Berka

Rope work
SKYMAN.CZ – Marek Šmerda, Miroslav Hrnčíř
Jakub Sobotka

Production
Kateřina Kuřátková
Jan Verner
Jakub Pína

Subtitles by
Jarka Marčeková

© Adam Ondra 2023

Songlist
Vesper Tapes – Unwavering
Flash Fluharty – South City Limits
Ballian De Moulle – In Between Heaven and Earth
Magnetize Music – The Night Falls
Vesper Tapes – Swarms
Marc Walloch – Breezeway

#climbing #mammut #rockclimbing