Mayan Smith-Gobat and Ben Rueck climbing in Brazil // ‘Place of Happiness’
Climbing the route 'Place of Happiness' (5.12d, 18 pitches) on Brazil's highest Monolith called Pedra Riscada, first opend by Stefan Glowacz in 2009, was one of the goals on Mayan Smith-Gobat’s and Ben Rueck’s journey to Brazil in April. They aimed to climb the rock dome in a one-day push but had to cancel their first attempt because of high temperatures and the risk of dehydration. After one day of rest and rehydration Mayan and Ben gave it another try. At around 50 meters before completing this 850 meters long route, they followed their instinct and decided to descend again due to darkness and a dangerous because slippery slab. But success it not only connected with reaching the top. They felt it was way more important to safely accomplish a personal challenge and the journey itself than clipping the chains at the top. For Mayan and Ben it was “a wonderful experience and a place of happiness.”
Climbing the route 'Place of Happiness' (5.12d, 18 pitches) on Brazil's highest Monolith called Pedra Riscada, first opend by Stefan Glowacz in 2009, was one of the goals on Mayan Smith-Gobat’s and Ben Rueck’s journey to Brazil in April. They aimed to climb the rock dome in a one-day push but had to cancel their first attempt because of high temperatures and the risk of dehydration. After one day of rest and rehydration Mayan and Ben gave it another try. At around 50 meters before completing this 850 meters long route, they followed their instinct and decided to descend again due to darkness and a dangerous because slippery slab. But success it not only connected with reaching the top. They felt it was way more important to safely accomplish a personal challenge and the journey itself than clipping the chains at the top. For Mayan and Ben it was “a wonderful experience and a place of happiness.”
