UKC

Kaabah 8c+ by Jim Pope

© Dark Sky Media

17-year-old Jim Pope has ticked his hardest route to date, Kaabah (8c+) 8c+ at Raven Tor (Miller's Dale), Derbyshire. Having ticked Mecca 8b+ at the age of 15 and Mecca Extension 8c at 16, Steve McClure's Kaabah - the direct extension to Mecca - seemed like a logical next step. 

Jim Pope trying Kaabah in the afternoon sun  © Dark Sky Media
Jim Pope trying Kaabah in the afternoon sun
© Dark Sky Media

A couple of redpoints in the blinding sun on Saturday saw Jim fall from a highpoint on the last hard move. Dubious weather on Sunday morning made a successful redpoint seem unlikely, but fortunately conditions improved for sticking the final hard move and clipping the chains. Jim told UKC:

'I didn't intend to climb it in the sun, I set off in the shade, then the route came into the sun when I had my best attempt on Saturday and the same thing actually happened on the successful attempt, but I tried a bit harder!' 

photo
Jim Pope ticks his first 8c+, Kaabah
© Dark Sky Media

He added:

'I wanted to try Kaabah because I already knew Mecca well and liked the length of the route and the crux at the top is really crimpy and technical, which suits me.'

Jim first tried the line with Yann Genoux earlier this year and had one go working the moves. This weekend, Jim had two redpoint attempts on Saturday and did it on his second redpoint on Sunday, taking just four attempts in total.

The reigning British Lead Climbing Champion, Jim is based in London but makes regular trips up to the Peak. Next on his list at Raven Tor is Evolution 8c+ and Hubble 9a, along with Rainshadow 9a at Malham Cove, but for now he will be focussing on training until the World Youth Championships in November.

Watch a video of Jim on Kaabah below:


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Jim Pope is a top British sport, trad and competition climber. He has climbed up to F8c+, had some scary moments on a couple of E9s and has been competing for several years.

His hardest ascents...

Jim's Athlete Page 31 posts 16 videos



17 Oct, 2016
Nice one Jim!
17 Oct, 2016
Gripping to watch, he almost barndoored off at one point but stuck it, the rest he seemed to make look easy. Impressive stuff, star of the future!
Star of the present Misha ;-) Top notch attitude too, very grounded, very inspirational. Rumour has it that William Bosi was getting close to Hubble too... p.s. more importantly, what was a mountaineer such as yourself doing at Raven Tor???
17 Oct, 2016
Nice work Jim! That took no time at all. Too easy for you I reckon, onwards to Evolution! :)
17 Oct, 2016
Great effort. Though by my calculations 1 + 2 + 2 = 5, not 4 attempts.
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