Keita Kurakami

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2017/05/keita_kurakami_on_the_walk_of_life_e9_6c-71096

First ascent.

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/BZd2l5HgiDj/

[2] https://www.instagram.com/p/BZhUup-gHud/

[3] https://gripped.com/news/keita-kurakamis-bold-new-hard-japan-highball/

First ascent.

References

[1] https://alpinist.com/newswire/keita-kurakami-sees-the-votive-light-5-13d-14a-r-trad-in-yukawa-japan/

Fifth ascent.

References

[1] https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2017/05/keita_kurakami_on_the_walk_of_life_e9_6c-71096

Calum Coldwell-Story:

Me and Jake arrived at the belay below the Great Roof in Nov 2018 to see a 8mm single rope and small battered haul bag with approach shoes and a water bottle hanging off it....I looked up to see Keita bridging at the rest before traversing right into the crux. Initially i assumed he was a solo aid climber who had just climbed the 5.11 intro to the Great Roof but then he started questing right.. the power screams were out, the battle commenced. Me and Jake yelled encouragement and as he hit the finishing jug sidepull and rocked onto the belay we all OOOOOOOOO'ed the Yosemite monkey call in celebration!! Later that evening on Camp 5 Keita rolled out a tiny bit of foam mat, crossed his arms and fell asleep. He freed the Nose a couple of days later. We called him the Sensei! [2]

References

[1] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/keita-kurakami-climbs-the-nose-el-capitan-free-rope-solo.html

[2] https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/ukc/a_tribute_to_late_japanese_climber_keita_kurakami-776548?v=1#x9981431

Second ascent.

Worked and redpointed while lead rope soloing, ground up. [1]

References

[1] https://www.instagram.com/p/BvOsLveBv0j/

[2] https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/keita-kurakami-climbs-8c-plus-rope-solo-mt-futago-in-japan.html