Other Activities
In 2001, Hirayama toured the U.S. with François Legrand (climber). While climbing Ghetto Booty 5.14c / 8c+, he fell from the crux move and was forced to climb back up the rope to the next quick-draw. After clipping in, he let go of the rope, which had looped around two of his fingers, instantly crushing them with his full weight now back on the rope. The result was a severe sprain of his right hand middle finger which took him out of climbing for 6 months. Also filmed and released in "The Professionals".
His first 8c onsight of White Zombie in 2004-09-01 is still not widely accepted by the climbing community, as according to his own words he belayed his friend who placed the draws and chalked up the holds, but didn't watch him climb. There has been a grade discussion, because it is argued that the route is a soft 8c and some even mark it as 8b+.
In 2010 Hirayama opened "Climb Park Base Camp", a climbing gym in Saitama prefecture, Japan.
Read more about this topic: Yuji Hirayama
Famous quotes containing the word activities:
“...I have never known a “movement” in the theater that did not work direct and serious harm. Indeed, I have sometimes felt that the very people associated with various “uplifting” activities in the theater are people who are astoundingly lacking in idealism.”
—Minnie Maddern Fiske (1865–1932)
“When mundane, lowly activities are at stake, too much insight is detrimental—far-sightedness errs in immediate concerns.”
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872)