Katy was born in 1989 and has been climbing since 1997. She has recently flashed Nosferatu (E6 6b) and head-pointed Life Assurance (E6 6b) at Burbage. Katy is regarded as a rising star of British climbing, with many hard ascents under her belt. Her strength and confidence secured her first place in the 2007 British Bouldering Championships. She has also recently climbed West Side Story (Font 7b+) also at Burbage.

Kaluza Klein, a Johnny Dawes route at Cratcliffe, is a bold arete, climbed via smears and pebbles on the left side. The route culminates in a difficult and reachy move to gain the upper arete and flutings. The protection is in a horizontal break, low down on the route and is only of use if the belayer jumps from the ledge - taking in vital slack. The route is generally regarded as being slightly easier for the tall.

We spoke briefly to Katy after her ascent, which places her amongst an elite group of women that have climbed at E7:

What other hard trad routes have you done recently?
Not loads really, I've just been training and messing around, but I flashed Nosferatu and onsighted Moon Walk, E4 6a which I thought was desperate!

What have you got your eye on?
I keep doing all my projects, which I suppose is quite good! I will probably just get on some more E6s and E7s, there are so many routes I want to do in the Peak and Yorkshire.

Who do you climb with mainly?
At the weekend usually with my brother Pete, but he is so keen by the end of the day I am knackered!! The rest of the time with Ryan [Pasquil] and anyone else that is about. I don't take it too seriously, I just go out climbing and have a laugh.

Any favourite routes? ermm... probably Nosferatu and The Snivelling Shit. Nosferatu because the lower section of climbing is really good moves and probably as well because it is the hardest thing I have flashed (if I had fallen off it I would probably hate it! Ha). The Snivelling Shit is just a really nice slabby and crimpy climb.

View a profile of Katy on the K2UK Website. For more info visit the Hot Aches Blog

Don't miss the Photo Sequence Below of Katy on Kaluza Klein: