Video by Eric Perlman / MastersofStone.com - EXCERPT FROM MASTERS OF STONE 6 COMING SPRING 2009 - The July 2 climb did not begin well. Hirayama took a warm-up lap on the first pitch, a polished, pin-scarred 5.10d. Halfway up, he missed a hold, falling 20 feet. But, said Hirayama, “[The fall] just made me focus more.” And focus they did. The pair counted down together in Japanese — “San, ni, ichi!” — and then Florine hit the stopwatch, with Hirayama firing up the crack. The two reached Sickle Ledge (500 feet) in 16.5 minutes ... Watch Part 2, Watch Part 3