"Always Choose A Route That's Well Protected" This photo of Gheebar Rhahl, literally on the edge of Kandahar (Afghanistan). The route Osama Bin Leadin' is shown in red in the background.

The Hummer and mountain itself are actually within Mullah Omar's old compound (the head Taliban guy in the south) so I suppose it's sort of an historic climb of sorts as well. Climbing is actually relatively safe in Afghanistan. Relative to walking around that is. No landmines on the wall.  

Pitch 1. This first pitch was surprisingly nice and confirmed that the rock was solid enough to climb. And take pro, I dunno, I didn't fall but as long as it wasn't a thin flake, I think it'd be pretty good. I rated it at around a 5.9, which includes a nice little 3' roof/overhang with a large volcanic bubble pocket to use as an undercling. 

Pitch 2. The beginning of Pitch 2 is a little face climbing (easy) and then you tuck left into a 5.8-ish chimney which is protectable but like all chimneys, feels like a cluster-fuck.

Special Forces soldier Rob pointing to a large missing piece of rock that has been "removed." Most likely eiter a bomb or a 107mm rocket. Makes you wonder if the climb will be the same the next time you climb it.

Pitch 4 of 4 from our FA of "Osama Bin Leadin,'" which, while we randomly picked a line we thought would be easy, turned out to be a stellar route.

Allow me to note that leading up something when you have no idea what you're going to run into or if you'll be able to get pro in leads to lots of anxiety. Pitch 1 went at 5.9, with a very small overhang/roof in the middle. Great pitch.

Pitch 2 was a 5.8-ish chimney, and fun as well. Pitch 3 was a 5.2/4th Class scramble, and Pitch 4 (shown) went at about 5.10a.

I'm the subject of most shots and a Special Forces guy who would like to only be named as "Rob" was the photographer and belayer, in hiking boots no less!

Below is typical terrain taken from the top of Gheebar Rhahl