Born from the Climbing Life: Episode 4—Drifter’s Escape—The World’s Hardest Trad Climb

Imagine climbing V11 moves above an offset Z4 Camalot. Not only that, but you’re five pitches off the deck, with several hundred feet of air beneath your feet. Above? More 5.13 crack climbing separating you from … another V11 boulder problem. Who could pull off such a futuristic ascent? BD Athlete Connor Herson. In the summer of 2025, after two seasons and roughly 20 attempts, Connor made the first ascent of Drifter’s Escape, proposed at 5.15a. Enjoy the final installment of Born from the Climbing Life, featuring Connor’s historic send of what is likely the hardest trad climb in the world. Filmed, directed, edited by: Highpoint Productions.