Alan James - UKC and UKH

I am the owner and director of UKClimbing Limited, the company that runs both UKClimbing.com and Rockfax. I have been involved with ROCKFAX guidebooks since authoring my first book in 1992, and with UKClimbing since its early days in the mid-90s. I am married with 3 children and I live in the longest house on Crookes Mountain in Sheffield. In a former career I used to draw the Pokketz cartoons for OTE, print T-shirts, make trousers and several other hair-brained self-employment ideas.

Email Alan James - UKC and UKH.

Best Climbing Experience
I have had many great climbing experiences over the years - early days on grit and in North Wales in the 80s, creeping up the grades; sport climbing in the early 90s in leafy Chee Dale and sunny France; holidays on the Spanish Costas in the mid 90s; and more recently with taking my children out for their first experiences. Probably the best climbing time I have had (so far) were the years I spent obsessed with Pembroke from 1987 to publishing the Pembroke Rockfax in 1995 - great climbs, great routes and great company in one of the most beautiful areas in the world for rock climbing. To pin point an actual moment would be difficult, so I'll choose three: sitting on top of Star Gate after cruising this peerless climb and experiencing "most of the Atlantic Ocean beneath my feet" on the final moves; finding Darkness at Noon in perfect conditions and grabbing an ascent late one day when we were expecting "just another Leap E5"; and clawing over the top of Trevallen after a tenuous ascent of Orange Robe Burning, forearms burning, eyes on stalks, friends waiting at the top.

Favourite Climbing-Related Discussion Topic
Guidebooks, the internet, UKC, Rockfax,... all a bit predictable really.

Recent Postings

Click to list all my recent posts.

Commercial Webpage
http://www.ukclimbing.com

Articles by Alan James - UKC and UKH

• Alpkit Bouldering Mats - Mujo and Project May/2013
• REVIEW / VIDEO: The Click-Up Belay Device Apr/2013
• Spring Job Opportunities Mar/2013
• UKC/UKH Mountain Photography Awards 2012 Mar/2013
• UKC/UKH Readership Survey - Prizes Feb/2013
• Lightweight Sport Climbing Ropes Reviewed Dec/2012
• Winter Wall Special - UKC Climbing Wall Advertising Package Sep/2012
• Classic Peak Limestone Trad - VDIff to E2 Aug/2012
• VIDEO: Classic Almscliff Soloing Jun/2012
• Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - Opportunities for Climbers Apr/2012
• Funding Re-bolting - UKBoltFund.org Apr/2012
• Wild Country Bought by Salewa Feb/2012
• Kendal Mountain Festival - Last Few Tickets! Nov/2011
• Horscroft and Geldard in Kendal Festival Scandal Nov/2011
• Lightwave Trek Range of Tents Nov/2011
• Rope Bags for the Winter Oct/2011
• Kendal Mountain Festival 2011 - Who's There? Sep/2011
• REPORT: OutDoor 2011 - Ropes Aug/2011
• REPORT: OutDoor 2011 - Rock Shoes Jul/2011
• Marmot ROM Jacket Mar/2011
• VIDEO: Assisted-braking Belay Devices Feb/2011
• Bolt Funds - www.ukboltfund.org Dec/2010
• Kendal Confessions 2010 Nov/2010
• Scarpa Vapour Velcro Jun/2010
• Marmot PreCip Kids Jacket Apr/2010
• ROCKFAX Assistant Editor Nov/2009
• In the Dutch Mountains May/2009
• ShAFF 2009 Mar/2009
• El Chorro Jan/2009
• Buying A Rack Of Climbing Gear Feb/2008
• UKC/UKH and Censorship Dec/2007
• Everything You Wanted to Know About Ropes Mar/2007
• Rock+Run Rope Bucket Mar/2007
• Berghaus 49 Zero Day Sack Feb/2007
• Climbing: 07 Calendar Dec/2006
• Masterclass DVD: Parts 1 and 2 Mar/2006
• Lakes 360 Calendar Dec/2005
• Calendars for 2005 Dec/2004
• Stars in guidebooks: yes or no? Oct/2003
• Learn to tie the Edwards bowline May/2003

UKC Volunteer
Photo moderator, checking new photo submissions.
Moderator for 55 crags, checking missing climbs added to the logbooks: High Tor, Taddington, Ermita de Betlem, Cabezon de Oro, Sella, Vall de Guadar (Echo Valley), Bernia, Olta, Penon de Ifach, Bellus ... plus 45 more, Santa Ponca, S'estret, Valldemossa, Sa Gubia, Fraguel, Port de Sóller, Ca'n Nyic, Es Queixal, Alaro, Les Perxes, La Creveta, Es Fumat, S'on Xanquete, Betlem (El Calo de Betlem), Cala Magraner, Presten, Svolværgeita, Las Encantadas, Invento/Los Bloques, Loja, Pianokrakken, Festvågveggen, Pillaren, Túron, Can Ortigues, Svenskaveggen, Reine Slab, Trollfestningen, Glamtinden, Gorg Blau, Bellecombe - Rocher de L'Aguilier, Vagakallen, Sandvika, Finnvika, Urdstabben, Eggum, Bare Blåbær, Kallebukta, Øvredalen, Indoor Climbing Wall, Rorvika, Cala Figuera, Sørfjellet, Djupfjord Buttress - The Two Faces Face, Ponterwyd Quarry

Interests Outside Climbing
Road biking especially ticking the big climbs of the Tour de France. I also have indulged in plenty of juggling over the years, and diabolo, although I do less now. I enjoy watching most sports, except ones involving horses, or boxing gloves, or both.

PHOTO GALLERY Click to View all 119 photos in Alan James - UKC and UKH's gallery.

Click to list photo comments written by me. (40 comments)
I've voted for 466 photos, average vote 3.5.
(20% superb - 30% good - 28% average - 13% poor - 6% rubbish)

Commercial Profile

registered 18/Jun/01
updated 15/Mar/13

Age
49

Been Climbing For
More than 20 years

Best Onsights
Trad - E6
Sport - 7b+
Bouldering - V6

Worked Grades
Sport - 7c
Bouldering - V8

Main Sport/Activity
Trad Rock Climbing

Favourite Crag/Rock
Huntsmans Leap, Pembroke
Limestone

I Climb...
Once a month
All over the world

Favourite Climbs
Darkness at Noon - Pembroke
Orange Robe Burning - Pembroke
Star Gate - Pembroke
Mutiny Crack - Burbage
Moon Walk - Curbar
Calvary - Stanage
Diamonds are Forever - Buoux
New Dimensions - Penon
Darkinbad the Bright Dayler - Pentire
Vestpillaren - Lofoten

Latest Climbs
The Long Stretch 6b
Dreammaker 6b
Gloria Pitch 1 6a+
Ranura 5+
Pedazos 6a+
Tennis Shoe HS 4b
Outside Edge Route VD
Kirkus's Route VS 4c
Route 1 S 4b
Route 1.5 VS 5b
Route 2 S 4a
Cranberry Crack VD
The Chant HVS 5a
Route 3 HVD 4a
The Curse VS 5b
... list all 555 climbs

Ticklists BETA
ROCKFAX Eastern Grit: Top 500 22%
London Wall Training List 75%
ROCKFAX Eastern Grit: Top 50 29%
Pembroke Rockfax Top 50 22%
The Tremadog 'V's' 100%
Extreme Rock 8%
... list all 9 ticklists

Climbs Wishlist
... not setup