Africa, Mali, Le Main de Fatima, Various Ascents

Publication Year: 1999.

Le Main de Fatima, Various Ascents. It was reported that the British team of Grant Farquar, Louise Thomas and Mike “Twid” Turner established the 450-meter Grains of Time (British E4 5c) on the north face of the north tower of Suri Tondo in January, 1997, over three days. The three climbed a number of established routes in Le Main de Fatima massif during their stay, including three routes on Kaga Tondo—the North Pillar (F5c, 600m) via a Spanish variant up the east face; Turismo Alternativo (7b+ AO, 170m) and Vuelva Usted Manana (6a+ A2, 260m) on the south-facing fin that forms the edge of Kaga Tondo; and Macumba Circus (7b+, 150m) on Kaga Pamari.

On the Grimari Dagana Massif, Farquar and Ray Wood and Ed Douglas put up the four-pitch Wild Turkey (6b, 140m) on the right-hand tower of two towers called The Twins, while Thomas, Turner and Salvador Campillo established Chicken Head (6b, 130m) on the left-hand tower. Both routes were the first ascents of the respective formations. (High Mountain Sports 184)