For many climbers, nothing matches the exhilaration of first ascents. It's the thrill of conquering untouched terrains, of being the first to scale a route and leaving behind a legacy etched on the rock face. This thrill is amplified in a country as vast and geographically diverse as Brazil, a land rife with untapped climbing potential. For professional athletes like The North Face’s Felipe Camargo, it's akin to a child let loose in a candy store.
In The North Face’s latest video, Tropical Lines, we follow Camargo on a journey of first ascents across his homeland. The gripping short film chronicles his adventure as he establishes five never-before-climbed routes across Brazil. While these routes are his pioneering exploits, the hope is that they will serve as a beacon to future climbers.
But one of these routes, Auto Retrato, stands out in particular. With a difficulty rating of 5.15 (9a+), it is the first route of its complexity to be completed in South America. It presents a formidable challenge that might intimidate even the most seasoned climbers.
You can follow Felipe's adventures on his Instagram page, @felipe.camargo. For more videos like Tropical Lines, head over to The North Face’s YouTube page.
For more riveting content on rock climbing, check out The Adventure Collective's Rock Climbing section.