Ben Harnden Repeats Midnight Way 5.15a in Squamish

Ben Harnden has done the second ascent of Midnight Way (5.15a) on Squamish’s Paradise Wall, a challenging route first climbed by Connor Herson in 2024. Midnight Way tackles the demanding cruxes of Spirit Quest before veering into new terrain. 

Herson shared on 8a.nu, “I climbed Spirit Quest multiple times, falling higher up three times. To send Midnight Way, I needed to feel fresh after the intense cruxes. On the send day, I nearly completed it on my first try, fell halfway through Spirit Quest on my second, and on my third, despite a bleeding finger worsening as I climbed, I powered through to make it work.” 

Harnden, one of Canada’s most versatile and accomplished climbers, has an impressive track record in Squamish. His notable ascents include Dreamcatcher (5.14d), Cobra Crack (5.14b), and The Bull (5.14a R). In 2017, he completed the coveted Squamish Trifecta, doing a 5.14 sport route, a 5.14 trad route, and a V14 boulder problem.

In 2021, he established Dark Matter (5.14d/15a), a sport route in Squamish, and he then pioneered Bladerunner (5.14b/c), a gear route on the Chief’s Kashmir Wall. Last year, in May, he repeated Deadlift (V14), further solidifying his reputation as a climbing powerhouse.

Harnden on Family Man 5.14b