Gripped Magazine
Connor Herson’s Tribute to Mason Earle with a 5.14 First Ascent
In 2022, Connor Herson made the first ascent of an old project on Tuolumnes’s Daff Dome called Pirate’s Code at 5.14+. Herson announced the send on Instagram saying that it was originally a project started by Mason Earle and Ben Ditto.
“This one’s for you, Mason,” wrote Herson, “thank you so much for everything you’ve done for the climbing community, and thank you for letting me climb on your route!” Earle was one of America’s top trad climbers until he was diagnosed with a severe case of myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome.
Since 2022, Herson has gone on to become one of the world’s leading climbers. His accomplishments include repeats of Stranger Than Fiction 5.14, Meltdown 5.14c, Magic Line 5.14c, Blackbeard’s Tears 5.14c, Cobra Crack 5.14b, and Crack of Destiny 5.14b. In Squamish last summer, he made first ascents of the stunning crack The Shark 5.14b as well as one of Canada’s hardest sport climbs, Midnight Way 5.15a.
Black Diamond has dropped a new short film featuring Herson, Earle and Ditto, and The Pirate’s Code – watch below.
The Pirate’s Code FA
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