Barry Blanchard First Ascents: Episode 1

Andromeda Strain and the East Face of Mt Fay. After four attempts David Cheesmond, Tim Friesen and Barry finally succeeded in cracking The Strain in April 1983. Commonly the first ascent party names the route, but because this alluring alpine couloir on Mt Andromeda had been attempted over a dozen times by some of the best alpinists in North America, it had become an unrelenting strain, "The Andromeda Strain". The next winter Carl Tobin, David Cheesmond and Barry battled their way up the East Face of Mt Fay surviving a leader jump/fall, an avalanche, a relentless storm and a box of smarties split 3 ways for dinner before being two days late for work.