French climber nicknamed 'Le Blond' who was known for his wild, individualistic streak
In the ski town of Snowbird, Utah, in 1988, Patrick Edlinger, who has died aged 52, was preparing to climb in the first major competitive event ever held in the Us. Looking on, Henry Barber, a brilliant maverick climber from an earlier generation, told a friend he had spent the previous evening with Edlinger, who had thanked him for inspiring him as a teenager on his first visit to America. Then Edlinger began to climb. As the last competitor, everyone at Snowbird knew how high he must get to beat his rivals and win the event. With apparent ease, he climbed past their high-points, until pausing beneath a huge overhang that had defeated all-comers. At that moment, a narrow shaft of sunlight pierced the cloud cover and illuminated Edlinger. When he completed the route, the only one from the world's best to do so,...
In the ski town of Snowbird, Utah, in 1988, Patrick Edlinger, who has died aged 52, was preparing to climb in the first major competitive event ever held in the Us. Looking on, Henry Barber, a brilliant maverick climber from an earlier generation, told a friend he had spent the previous evening with Edlinger, who had thanked him for inspiring him as a teenager on his first visit to America. Then Edlinger began to climb. As the last competitor, everyone at Snowbird knew how high he must get to beat his rivals and win the event. With apparent ease, he climbed past their high-points, until pausing beneath a huge overhang that had defeated all-comers. At that moment, a narrow shaft of sunlight pierced the cloud cover and illuminated Edlinger. When he completed the route, the only one from the world's best to do so,...
- 12/10/2012
- by Ed Douglas
- The Guardian - Film News
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