The next week, Andrew and I were guiding a trip up the Via Ferrata in the morning and we happened to finish up around 1pm. We looked at each other as our guests departed. No words were spoken, bolts were loaded, and we were off.
Pitch 3
The Pitch 7 Traverse
An hour later we were at our high point on Starstruck and establishing the finish to pitch 6. I installed the anchor and belayed Andrew to the base of a challenging section. Poor rock above and tricky climbing to the left. We opted on the tricky traverse, which has since become my favourite pitch of the route.
Andrew headed out, and with a herculean effort he established pitch 7 on lead. It was balancy, and originally the holds were loose and poor. I cleaned it up and the grade dropped drastically after the first ascent by Andrew.
Poor rock above and tricky climbing to the left. We opted on the tricky traverse, which has since become my favourite pitch of the route.
Starstruck.
Pitch eight was easier, and pitch nine was a traverse with a walk to the base of Freyja falls. This has since become one of my favourite lunch locations. I have a tally rock hidden there. I hope to climb Starstruck 100 times in the next ten years (18 so far). The last pitch offered water worn rock with good travel and we were pretty sure we could climb through and over the waterfall.
That pitch leads to the forest and an excellent walk off. We had established the first route on Freyja Wall and we were stunned by its quality. The name seemed obvious to us. Late in the evening we descended the route feeling tired and satisfied. We were Starstruck by Freyja!
We had established the first route on Freyja Wall and we were stunned by its quality. The name seemed obvious to us. Late in the evening we descended the route.
Jon Waterman on Pitch 6
