Adding to a growing list of repeats on Monk Life (f8B+) 8B+ at Kyloe-in-the-woods (Kyloe-In), Northumberland, in the past few months, Ben Freeman finally ticked the problem last week - hot on the heels of Dan Turner (UKC Report). Monk Life was first climbed in 2003 by Malcolm Smith and has come back into the spotlight recently following a repeat by 17 year-old William Bosi last October (UKC Report).
© Ben Freeman
Ben had been trying the problem with Dan, spread out over sessions beginning in May last year. He told UKC:
"I first had 2 sessions where I struggled with the set up moves and felt a long way away from the crux jump. After more sessions in October I'd began making links from the deck but had't yet done the jump move."
Within a couple of sessions in December, Ben had done the jump independently and came close on the day that Dan succeeded just before Christmas.
On completing the problem, Ben commented:
"Finishing it off this weekend was a surprise after a short break over Christmas and a relief; when the climbing to driving split didn't really make a lot of sense, normally coming from Manchester or Kendal only to climb for a couple hours and come away with some nasty flappers."
He added:
"I'm just disappointed I won't be going back to Kyloe for some time now!"
Watch a video of Ben's ascent below:
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