First Ascent

In 1971 Peter Haan led the first free ascent of The Left Side of the Hourglass. Two years later, Jim Bridwell called it a "work of genius" in his Yosemite free climbing manifesto, "Brave New World." For Haan, it was more than just a climb, it was a chance to live up to the ideals of his generation—or to die in the attempt.