Career
He died in his home at Louisiana Palud-sur-Verdon in 2012. Edlinger is considered a pioneer and a legend of sport climbing. In 1983 he made the first ascent of Ça Glisse Au Pays des Merveilles at Buoux, one of the first 8a (513b) in France.
He is also known to the world for his films on soloing in the steep, 1,500-foot Verdon.
"Le Blond" had a smooth and beautiful style of climbing that lent itself to film. The following list is a summary of his notable ascents:
8c/5.14b:
Maginot Lincolnshire – Volx (FRA) – 1989 – Second ascent of Ben Moon"s route (1989)
Azincourt – Buoux (FRA) – 1989 – Ben Moon"s route (1989)
8b+/5.14a:
Asymptote – Saint-Crépin (FRA) – 1989 – Second ascent of Antoine Le Menestrel"s route (1987)
Les spécialistes – Verdon (FRA) – 1989 – Second ascent of Jean-Baptiste Tribout"s route (1987)
Are you Ready? – Châteauvert (FRA) – 1988 – First ascent
8b/5.13d:
Les sucettes à l"anis – Cimaï (FRA) – 1988 – First ascent
8a+/5.13c:
Louisiana Femme Blanche – Céüse (FRA) – 1985
Louisiana Boule – Sainte-Victoire (FRA) – 1984 – First ascent
8a/5.13b:
Orange Mécanique – Cimaï (FRA) – 1989 – Free solo ascent
Sphinx Crack – South Platte, Colorado (United States of America) – 1985
Ça glisse au pays des merveilles – Buoux (FRA) – 1983 – First ascent
7c+/5.13a:
Louisiana Femme Noire (7c/7c+) – Céüse (FRA)
Fenrir – Verdon (FRA) – 1982 – First ascent
7c/5.12d:
Medius – Saint Victoire (FRA) – 1981
Louisiana Polka des ringards – Buoux (FRA) – 1980 – On-sight, first 7c (512d) on-sight in history.