Steve McClure is not your average climber. He's an athlete, a man who trains his body hard and pushes himself physically as far as he can go.
In 2010 Steve's name has popped up in the UKC news with several amazing ascents of course, but I got the impression that he felt the year hadn't gone 100% his way. I got in touch with Steve and we discussed his climbing and his focus over the past year.
Nice article, but can we please please please stop talking about 'getting' the first ascent or second ascent. It's sooooooo unattractive. 'Making' is a far nicer expression.
You're right, it does look more like Regent Street. (I've been away too long!) But trainers? I guess he just needed something handy for the walk down...
In reply to lex:
"Not really, I gave up being gutted a while back. I gave it everything and went home happy. Climbing is not just about getting to the top!"
I think think that this sentence is a perfect encapsulation of why Steve is so universally well-respected and admired. What a great role-model.
This is what interviews should be like, and so rarely are. An interviewer who does not ask leading questions, or phrases them to get in a bit about themselves, or tries to show how much they know and are in the know, but lets the interviewee be the star of the piece. Good job Jack - Parky, Jonathan Ross, Paxman, Dimbleby - read and learn!
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This week's Friday Night Video is a portrait of a prolific climbing photographer from Wedge Climbing. Sam Pratt is well known in both the outdoor and competition scene but if you haven't heard of him, you've likely seen...