Mission to Mars is First Ever WI13

Tim Emmett and Klemen Premrl visited B.C.’S amazing Helmcken Falls in February, finding amazing conditions. Emmett and Premrl added another steep spray-ice route with Nadurra Dura, a 35-metre WI12. They then extended their new route and called it Mission to Mars, a 40-metre WI13. It’s the first ever route at the grade. “It’s a natural 40-metre ice climb through increasing steepness with the crux being the last three moves,” said Emmett. “Of all the ice climbs at Helmcken, this is the steepest and overhangs approximately 30 metres. This is the first climb at this suggested grade. I really hope someone else tries it.”