Guts & Glory

No guts, no glory! Nick Wakeman picks his way up the first free ascent of Pura Vida (WI6 5.11) on Hyalite’s Black Magic Wall, December 2006. Surrendering oneself to such a thin ribbon of ice takes huevos indeed, as Alex Lussier, who ascended and named the route about two weeks prior, can surely attest. But great risk leads to great reward, and now both Nick and Alex can add their names to the annals of Bozeman-area ice climbing. For more info on both Alex's and Nick's climbs, visit the Hyalite Archives forum on montanaice.com.