8a Redpoint for 10 year-old Josh Ibbertson

Natalie Berry UKC

19th February, 2015

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10 year-old Josh Ibbertson has redpointed his first 8a sport climb - Innuendo at Raco de les Espadelles, Margalef - Zona del Panta North in Spain, becoming the youngest Brit ever to climb this grade by a two year margin!

Josh Ibbotson becoming the youngest Brit to climb 8a © James Ibbotson — Josh Ibbotson becoming the youngest Brit to climb 8a
© James Ibbotson

Josh's father James commented:

"The main objective was for Josh to try an 8a. He tried it briefly on the last day of our trip at Christmas and got very close but ran out of daylight! So we're back! He worked the moves yesterday and had a couple of good redpoint attempts: falling at then after the crux. He got it today after a few (3?) more tries. He's very happy as it's his first 8a."

Other significant ascents by young British climbers include Randy Roby (UKC Report), just 13 -Raindogs (8a), Peter Dawson, 12 and a half - The Cider Soak (8a), Aiden Dunne, just 12, also with Raindogs and Jim Pope, 13 on Hot Fun Closing (8a) (UKC Report).

Kitty Wallace became the youngest British female to climb 8a aged 14 in 2008, with an ascent of Daniboy (8a) on Kalymnos (UKC Report), followed by Emily Allen climbing Aberration (8a) in 2013, also aged 14 (UKC Report).