Suffocation, No Breathing, this is Alex Megos’ Last Resort.
The 29-year-old German rock jock has apparently been psyching himself up with a steady dose of Papa Roach — and it’s been working.
Two days ago, Megos reported the first ascent of Last Resort, 5.14a. A day later came Suffocation, 5.14c. Then finally, just hours ago, No Breathing, 5.14b.
Megos’ Roach-fueled spree generated three seemingly desperate routes that are oddly truncated for the area. “The Red” is famous for its loping, questy jug hauls — for the most part, surviving the pump is the main task, not latching tiny holds or pulling circus-trick sequences.
Not so on Suffocation, No Breathing, or Last Resort.
Watch each video for gnarly movement with awkwardly high feet and crappy holds at bizarre angles including cramped, Hadoken-like hand positions, especially on Suffocation.
The walls may look vertical, but don’t be fooled: It’s a trick of the camera. When Megos cuts his feet, you’ll see his body lever out from the sandstone at wild angles.
Megos, understandably, reported receiving a massage between climbs. Rage this much (athletically or musically), and you’ll get a little wrecked.
The German phenom reported his Red River Gorge trip will end tomorrow after dispatching No Breathing.
Meanwhile, one commenter won the internet:
“CUT MY TRIP INTO PIECES, this is my last FA,” wrote Grahm Hornsby.
Help.
