The wins just keep on coming for Christopher Cosser who, this past weekend, became the first South African to send Digital Warfare (33).
The route, located at the Wow Prow crag in the Free State, was bolted by Andrew Pedley back in 2012 and first ascended by Paige Claassen in July 2013. Just over a year later, the climb was repeated by Austrian pro climber Kilian Fischhuber; Cosser is the third climber to complete the route – an achievement of which he can certainly be proud.
Named for the strain it puts on the fingers (i.e. digits), the route is characterised by sharp edges and shallow pockets on sheer, streaked sandstone. Pedley has described Digital Warfare as “the most beautiful climb in the universe”, due not only to the climbing quality, but also to the undeniably gorgeous aesthetics of the route and area.
Cosser had previously attempted the route in 2016 and 2020, finally grabbing the send on Sunday 17 October. He estimates that he has got on the route a total of 13 times, explaining that the cold conditions, razor-sharp rock and strong winds make it difficult to give the route more than a few burns each trip. Furthermore, these challenges make it tricky to find willing belayers and climbing companions.
The MCSA and developers of the crag – which include Andrew Pedley, Dylan Vogt, Hector Pringle, Dirk Smith, Marc Efune, Jahne Theron and Nic Grech-Cumbo – have created a truly special place and made access arrangements with the accommodating landowners. Should you wish you visit the Wow Prow, make sure to contact the landowners in advance for permission and offer the utmost respect to them and the environment. For the landowners’ contact details, get in touch with the MCSA here.
