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Sansoz, Legrand and Hirayama in America

Legrand and Hirayama both on-sight "Don't call me dude" 5.13c / 8a+ at Virgin River Gorge, while Liv Sansoz redpoints "Route of all evil" (5.14a 8b+). All three now plan to climb "Nessecary Evil" (5.14c/8c+)

PlanetMountain.com

April 2001

Traduci in

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Liv Sansoz at the Arco Rock Master in 2000

Nicholas Hobley

Yuji Hirayama and François Legrand have begun their climbing trip across America in earnest. After arriving in the States they immediately traveled to Virgin River Gorge, situated in Arizona on the border with Utah.

Here, just 90 miles from Las Vegas, they worked off their jet-lag by both on-sighting the 60m "Don't call me dude" 5.13c / 8a+. A great "test drive" before their first project, Chris Sharma's "Nessecary Evil" (5.14c/8c+), considered one of the hardest routes in America.

But it's a small world! Apart from Hirayama and Legrand there is also Liv Sansoz, their friend and companion from many World Cups. After a couple of warm days Liv managed to redpoint "Route of all evil" (5.14a 8b+) on 8 April. This shares the same finish as "Necessary Evil", which she too is now ready to try... There's nothing else to say: great climbing and great company! We'll keep you informed…

Further information
Virgin River Gorge
Legrand - Hirayama tour