UKC

Brits are such a cynical lot. With Dave MacLeod we have a truly world-class all-round climber; he boulders V14, redpoints Fr8c+, headpoints E11, winter climbs XI and M11, has soloed Fr8b, headpoints hard grit routes and this summer has established an E10 in the mountains. Yet still there is still cynicism from some and the old rumour-mill whirs round. "He's good but......"

Read more at: http://www.ukclimbing.com/news/

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Anal response alert: Caution confirmed at E8 and Impact Day suggested at E8 rather than E9, according to Dave M's blog.

Plus can add Dave B's E8 and E9 above Wastw*ter to the to do list!

Quality climbing all round.

In reply to match:

I like Dave. He's brought the fun back into climbing.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:


Does make you wonder what he'd have to do to impress some people, on-sight every hard route in the uk perhaps?

If he was american, he'd no doubt have legions of whooping fans shouting 'you rrrooooccckkk dooooode!!!' - maybe cynical's not so bad

In reply to MikePemberton:
My whole family whoop for Dave MacLeod ... they watched E11 completely gripped and in awe ... but we all whoop very quietly.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Ok Mick..but can't really get your point..

Dave McCloud is obviously 'top end' stuff and good luck and congratulations to him.

But the majority of climbers are about a squilliom grades below him..I guess they/we enjoy V Diffs/Severes/VS/E1's etc and enjoy it just as much as a Dave's epic E 9's...

I admire and are sometimes envious of 'top end' bits..but I'm not ever going to reach, (or indeed want to),the 'death' stuff..

People will always push boundaries....so what if it's not me..?

In reply to Grinning Donkey:
Did all the E numbers get you confused, he is Dave MacLeod.

In reply to Norrie Muir:

Ahh... so he is the 'Dave McCloud'..'I'm not worthy' - who gives a ****

Norrie....that's my point..

In reply to Grinning Donkey:

Stick wrong end.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Nah Brits aren't a cynical lot, most people are just really impressed. Some people will always be jealous prats.

In reply to Grinning Donkey:

As you took nearlyt 4 hours hitting a keyboard you must have thought it was worth your time to make a post.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

He's obviously an outstanding climber whose methodical and incredibly dedicated and focussed approach has given him great results.

Personally I get more of a kick about hearing of hard onsights, or onsight attempts than worked routes because the unpredictability and anticipation is part of what attracted me to climbing in the first place.

Dave doesn't seem to do much of that so I don't have the same level of interest in what he does as I might. That's not cynical or disrespectful, it's just a question of what 'flicks my switch'.

In reply to gingerkate:

I havent whooped as i havent seen the DVD E11 and standing at the bottom of the router just makes my eyes and mouth wide open.
Its scarry to look at it and thinking about climbing at the same time.

If people aint impressed they have never been to Dumbarton Rock.

In reply to whispering nic: he does impressive onsights in winter.. in fact im pretty sure he was the first to onsight scottish grade IX, no small achievement

In reply to Norrie Muir:

I was too busy soloing Rhapsody..E11 my a***

In reply to Grinning Donkey:

Whatever.

In reply to Grinning Donkey:

Always thought it a shame that he was'nt wearing blue when he did Rhapsody .. cos he could have called the DVD Rhapsody in Blue

In reply to Ivegotaknackeredcomputer: Personally I am majorly impressed by all things Macleod, apart from his grit ascents, sorry but they really aren't in line with the current trend of improving on the previous ascentionists style.

I've got my pre-order in for his new dvd, i'm all for supporting the home grown climbing tallent and hopefully they can keep training as professional climbers to push the limits rather than most of us who end up stuck in the office and climbing indoors in the evenings.