Born from the Climbing Life: Episode 4—Drifter’s Escape—The World’s Hardest Trad Climb
"Born from the Climbing Life: Episode 4—Drifter’s Escape—The World’s Hardest Trad Climb" is a rock climbing video (27 minutes) published by Black Diamond Equipment on April 28, 2026 with 41K views. Available to watch free on CouchClimbs.
In the summer of 2025, Black Diamond athlete Connor Herson made the first ascent of Drifter's Escape on El Capitan, a route proposed at 5.15a and widely regarded as the hardest trad climb ever established. This fourth and final episode of Black Diamond's Born from the Climbing Life series documents two full seasons and roughly 20 attempts on a line that demands V11 boulder problem power at serious height, with sustained 5.13 crack climbing linking each crux—all five pitches above hundreds of feet of open air. Filmed and directed by Highpoint Productions, this 27-minute film captures the singular tension of committing to desperate moves far above the valley floor with only a Z4 Camalot between you and the ground. Whether you live for crack climbing, follow the outer limits of what's possible on trad, or simply want to witness a historic moment in the sport, Drifter's Escape is essential viewing—a rare document of vision, patience, and the kind of bold commitment that redefines what trad climbing can be.
Black Diamond Equipment · 27:07
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.
Categories: Black Diamond, Trad, Crack, Multipitch, 15a, V11, Yosemite