Bunda de Fora

Sport climbing route in Canada

Bunda de Fora

The Upper Wall at Acephale where Bunda de Fora sits

Location| Canmore, Alberta, Canada
Coordinates| 51°05′01″N 115°22′05″W﻿ / ﻿51.08361°N 115.36806°W﻿ / 51.08361; -115.36806
Climbing area| Acephale
Route type| Sport climb
Vertical gain| 20 metres (66 ft) [1]
Pitches| 1
Rating| 9a (5.14d)
Route setter| Ryan Johnstone
First free ascent| Lev Pinter, 2006

Bunda de Fora is a sport climbing route located in Acephale, Alberta, Canada. At a climbing grade of 9a (5.14d), it is one of the most difficult climbs in North America and one of Canada's hardest sport climbs.[2]

## History

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Bunda de Fora was first bolted by Ryan Johnstone; however, it remained unclimbed for a number of years until Lev Pinter established the first ascent in 2006. Unsure of the grade, Pinter proposed a grade of 5.14c.[3] Repeat ascentionists have since upgraded the climb to 5.14d.

In the summer of 2011, a crucial hold broke, which significantly increased the difficulty and duration of the crux sequence as well as increasing the difficulty of clipping. However, the grade remained unchanged at 5.14d. The climb has seen four repeats since the hold broke. It is worth noting the first three ascentionists used dramatically different sequences through the broken section.

## Route

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Bunda de Fora sits nestled in one of two prominent steep caves at the Upper Wall of Acephale. These two caves house the majority of the 5.14s at Acephale as well as some 5.13+ climbs. The climb is 20 m long. Although relatively short, the difficulty of the moves and number of difficult moves are enough to support the grade, making it a notable power endurance test piece.[1]

The phrase bunda de fora is Portuguese, roughly translated as 'ass (arse) out'. It is a term referring to bar (pub) patrons sitting off the edge of their stools. The route is named for its namesake move where one must set a toe hook and stick one's backside out from the wall in order to execute a crux move.

## Route description

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Bunda de Fora opens with difficult climbing on small edges and difficult clips. From there a long V13 (8b) crux sequence through a roof awaits. A large hold at the lip of the roof after the crux allows climbers to catch their breath before the final technical 5.13c push to the anchors.[4]

## Ascents

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* Lev Pinter (FA) August 2006 [2]
* Dave Graham September 2007 [2]
* Joe Kinder September 2012[5]
* Josh Muller September 2012[6]
* Evan Hau August 2013[7]
* Alex Megos July 2016[8]

## See also

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* "Saving Summer" by Joe Kinder at Vimeo

## References

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1. ^ a b "A List of Hard and Steep Canadian Routes". Gripped.com. September 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
2. ^ a b c Galloway, Derek (2011). Bow Valley Sport. Quickdraw Publications. ISBN 9780973259391
3. ^ Martin, John; Jones, Jon (2006). Sport Climbs in the Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountain Books. ISBN 9781894765671.
4. ^ "Bunda de Fora". Sendage. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
5. ^ "Rock Climbing & Bouldering Articles: Joe Kinder Sent His Project!". DPMClimbing.com. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
6. ^ "Muller Climbs Bunda de Fora 5.14d". Gripped.com. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
7. ^ "First 9a for Evan Hau - Bunda de Fore, Acephale". Up-Climbing. 29 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
8. ^ "Alex Megos Climbs New 5.14d at Acephale". Gripped.com. 31 July 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.