John Welford has climbed what is most likely the hardest route on Stanage. He has linked a direct start into Robin Barker's until-now unrepeated E8 7a Marbellous on Marble Wall. John's direct start ascends the wall between Orang Utang and Robin's start via a massive Font 7c dyno up the wall to the break. He then finished up Marbellous, which involves that route's desperate crux undercutting flat holds with rubbish footholds. John took a couple of tumbles off the dyno, hurting his back in the process. He has given his line the grade of E8 7a and named it Mother of Pearl.